Physical and virtual spaces across a continuum of remoteness: Exploring spatial ruptures in remote court hearings

Abstract

AbstractThe rapid increase in the use of remote platforms in court hearings has fundamentally changed the nature of hearings and produced a productive point of reflection for digital and legal geographies. This paper uses geographical theorisations of space to make sense of digital developments in court space. It proposes that the introduction of remote platforms generates three spatial ruptures in court hearings: the space of remote hearings is dispersed across multiple sites, stretched into non‐traditional justice spaces, and sometimes snapped back into the physical hearing centre. Analysing these spatial ruptures through ethnographic research conducted in immigration bail hearings in the UK offers insights into the relationship between physical and virtual hearing spaces. Specifically, it reveals three things about this relationship: that physical and virtual hearing spaces are relational; that remoteness does not annihilate hearing space; and that remoteness can be best understood as existing on a continuum. In doing so, this paper seeks to bring legal geography's well‐developed understanding of court space into conversation with recent digital developments in courts.