On February 15, 2023, the Magdalena Administrative Court in Colombia made history by hosting the world’s first legal trial in the metaverse. The trial, which lasted two hours, was held to resolve a traffic dispute between a regional transport union and the police. The court’s verdict could also be delivered in the metaverse, marking a big step forward in virtualizing legal proceedings.

The participants in the trial appeared as avatars in a virtual room, with the court magistrate, María Quiñones Triana, dressed in the traditional black legal robe. Quinones told Reuters the experience felt “more real than a video call,” highlighting the potential of metaverse technology to transform the way we interact with each other and carry out legal proceedings.

Colombia’s groundbreaking essay follows recent research suggesting a growing interest in the metaverse and its potential impact on society. A survey published by CoinWire on Jan. 16 found that 69% of respondents believe that the metaverse will eventually reshape social lifestyles due to new approaches to entertainment and activities. Therefore, virtual court trials may become more common in the future, especially in cases where the physical presence of all parties involved is not possible.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has also recognized the potential of the metaverse, recently bragging about its experiences with the metaverse. In January 2023, the WEF hosted its own 3D immersive digital sessions called the “Global Collaboration Village”, allowing delegates to experience the forum in their own virtual metaverse. The WEF’s involvement in the metaverse highlights the growing interest of institutions and organizations in exploring the possibilities of this technology.

As the metaverse continues to grow and develop, we will likely see more use cases emerge, including legal proceedings. The Colombia trial has shown that the metaverse can offer an immersive and efficient environment for conducting judicial trials. While it may take time for the legal industry to fully embrace metaverse technology, the potential benefits in terms of accessibility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness are clear. The future of legal proceedings may be more virtual than we imagine.