The National Chamber of Judicial Officers of Belgium (CNHB), partner of the VR-DigiJUST project co-funded by the European Commission, actively contributes to the integration of immersive technologies into judicial training. This ambitious European initiative aims to provide legal professionals with modern tools adapted to the growing demands of cross-border cooperation.
VR-DigiJUST is not just a digital library. It is an immersive platform offering interactive environments animated by intelligent avatars, a multilingual library, and AI-powered personalised learning modules. Users can simulate procedures, experiment with the new European rules on the Service of Documents and Taking of Evidence ((EU) Regulations 2020/1784 and 2020/1783), and become familiar with major European digital infrastructures such as e-CODEX and the secure platform JUDEX.
On 12 September 2025, a cascade training session provided a concrete opportunity to test this innovative tool. Over four hours, one hundred participants from ten European countries took part in a programme combining theoretical presentations and practical demonstrations. The discussions highlighted a shared interest in these technologies and pointed out common challenges such as technical preparation, language management, and the need to extend the support through additional training sessions.
Participant feedback confirmed the pedagogical value of this experience. The clarity of explanations, the practical exercises, and the originality of the immersive approach were particularly appreciated. VR-DigiJUST has proven its ability to make training more dynamic, more accessible, and more aligned with the daily needs of legal practitioners.
The International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ) took an active part in this project through the participation of Patrick Gielen, Secretary-General of the UIHJ, and Charlotte Choquet, UIHJ Expert. Their involvement ensured that the voice of judicial officers was represented at the heart of this European innovation, underlining the importance of digital training adapted to the realities of the profession.
This initiative demonstrates that digital innovation does not replace the human role – it strengthens it. It enables judicial officers and other legal professionals to enhance their skills in a modern and collaborative environment, ensuring a more efficient, more connected, and fundamentally rights-based justice.
