WILLEMSTAD - Handling lawsuits online has its drawbacks. The main disadvantage is that a hearing is in fact no longer held in public.
Due to the corona pandemic, the courthouse was closed in March 2020. With the second lockdown, Curaçao was again in the same situation. It was forced to switch to online sessions.
Many judges believe that a virtual hearing requires more effort. They usually last longer than a regular session and often technical problems arise. The case law is also no longer public. It is precisely publicity that is necessary to keep control of what happens in the courtroom.
Postponing or canceling hearings, however, results in backlogs. The cases come to a standstill unless the parties choose to settle the case in writing or opt for an oral hearing via a virtual hearing.