Successful pilot: video court administrator cases become structural

The pilot means that Heerlen residents can attend their guardianship case online via a video link to the court, from the Heerlen city office. Administration cases revolve around people with debts who are assigned an administrator or mentor for this purpose. 

Heerlen people involved in custody cases previously had to travel to the court in Maastricht to hear their case. Because these are precisely people in financial need, travel costs to Maastricht are a major barrier. Consequently, many of those involved did not appear. 

More people at their session via online connection

During the pilot, 86% of the litigants came to the online session at the city office in Heerlen. 14% did not appear. This is a significant reduction from the "no shows" in the old situation. The pilot can be called a success and will become structural. 

Removing barriers to justice

The municipality and the court believe that everyone should have access to justice. Especially when it comes to important matters such as debt repayment and guardianship. This is also the reason the video court pilot was introduced.