The Purpose of Hearing Room and Rise of Hybrid Courtroom

The Purpose of Hearing Room and Rise of Hybrid Courtroom

The legal world often seems complex, with specific setups and processes tailored to ensure justice is served. Two crucial spaces where legal proceedings take place are hearing rooms and courtrooms. However, while hearing rooms and courtrooms may share some functional similarities, they serve distinct purposes. 

This article will explore what hearing rooms and courtrooms are, their unique roles in the legal system, their differences, and how they are evolving, particularly considering the hybrid courtroom model. We’ll also introduce THAC’s hearing room rental services for those seeking flexible and professional spaces to support their legal proceedings.

What is a Hearing Room? 

A hearing room is a space used primarily for non-trial legal proceedings such as mediation, conciliation, or arbitration. The environment is less formal than a courtroom to encourage collaboration and discussion. A hallmark of hearing rooms is their adaptability, often equipped with state-of-the-art technology to facilitate in-person and remote participation. 

Legal hearing rooms are designed to accommodate smaller groups, typically legal representatives, disputing parties, and mediators or arbitrators. They are ideal for proceedings that don’t require the stringent formalities or equipment of a trial courtroom. 

Common Uses of Hearing Rooms 

• Arbitration & Mediation
  Hearing rooms are often utilized for dispute resolution processes, such as arbitration and mediation, where neutral third parties help resolve conflicts. These rooms provide a formal setting to facilitate fair and unbiased discussions between parties.
  
• Remote Proceedings
  Equipped with advanced audiovisual technology, many hearing rooms today now support fully remote or hybrid legal discussions. This setup ensures accessibility and efficiency for participants who cannot be physically present, enabling broader participation in legal processes. 
  
• Pre-hearing Conferences: 
  Hearing rooms are also used for pre-hearing conferences, allowing legal professionals to meet and discuss case timelines, procedural rules, or evidence exchange before formal proceedings begin. These meetings aim to streamline the hearing process and address preliminary issues.

What is a Courtroom?

A courtroom is an official space for judicial proceedings where cases are heard and decided by judges or juries. Courtrooms are formal venues with structured layouts designed for trials, hearings, and other adjudications.

They often feature components such as witness stands, jury boxes, and gallery seating for public spectators. Courtrooms must adhere to protocols that ensure transparency, fairness, and accessibility for all participants. 

Common Uses of Courtrooms 

• Criminal and Civil Trials 
  Trial courtrooms are primarily used for hearings and trials in criminal, civil, and family law cases. These include arraignments, preliminary hearings, motion hearings, and both jury and non-jury trials. They are designed to accommodate judges, juries (if applicable), attorneys, witnesses, and the public, with designated areas like the well for attorneys and the gallery for spectators. 
  
• Jury Selection Processes 
  Courtrooms play a key role in the jury selection process, where potential jurors are questioned and selected to serve on a trial. This is a critical step in ensuring a fair and impartial jury. 
  
• Evidentiary Hearings or Appeals 
  Evidentiary hearings in trial courtrooms focus on presenting and reviewing evidence relevant to a case. In contrast, appellate courtrooms are used by higher courts to hear appeals. Unlike trial courtrooms, appellate courtrooms typically do not have a jury or witness stand, as their purpose is to review decisions made in lower courts rather than hear new evidence.

Key Differences Between Hearing Rooms and Courtrooms 

While both spaces serve essential roles in the justice system, there are significant differences in their purpose, design, and functionality.

Aspect	Hearing Room	Courtroom
Purpose	Mediation, arbitration, remote proceedings	Trials, jury processes, formal hearings
Setting	Informal, collaborative	Formal, structured
Participants	Smaller groups (arbitrators, mediators, parties)	Judges, juries, attorneys, larger groups
Technology Focus	High-tech for remote or hybrid participation	May include some tech but focuses on in-person trial needs

The Rise of the Hybrid Courtroom 

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of technology within the legal system. Traditional courtrooms started incorporating remote capabilities, giving rise to hybrid courtrooms where proceedings could take place both physically and virtually. 

Why Hybrid Setups Make Sense 

1. Efficiency Gains 

Non-trial proceedings like status conferences or initial hearings often don’t require full courtroom facilities. These activities can be handled in hearing rooms, better suited for smaller groups and equipped with advanced technology for remote participation. 

2. Space Optimization 

One hearing room can replace the need for a full-sized courtroom, saving approximately 1,350–1,550 square feet of space per room. For larger courthouses, this can result in substantial cost savings without compromising functionality. 

3. Adaptability 

Hybrid models allow the justice system to operate during unexpected circumstances like pandemics or natural disasters by enabling remote proceedings. 

However, transitioning from traditional layouts to hybrid models requires a shift in mindset. Judges often prefer private courtrooms for convenience, creating resistance to shared spaces or hearing rooms. The judiciary must prioritize flexibility over tradition for hybrid models to work. A successful hybrid courthouse might feature an even mix of courtrooms and hearing rooms, assigned based on the function of the proceeding rather than a specific judge. 

It is evident that both legal hearing rooms and courtrooms play a crucial role in ensuring justice is served, albeit in different ways and settings. However, the rise of the hybrid courtroom, a model combining the best of both, offers a promising option for our post-pandemic world. With their efficient use of space, advanced technology capabilities, and adaptability, hybrid courtrooms could very well be the future of our legal process. They do present their own set of challenges, yet as we strive towards a balance between tradition and innovation, hybrid courtrooms signal an exciting and promising path forward in the pursuit of justice.

THAC’s Hearing Room Rental Services

For professionals seeking flexible legal spaces, the Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) offers cutting-edge hearing room rental services, catering to arbitration, mediation, and other legal needs.

Modern Facilities  

Each hearing room is fully equipped with the latest technology, supporting in-person, remote, and hybrid proceedings seamlessly.  

Convenient Location  

Located in the heart of Bangkok, THAC’s hearing rooms are easily accessible, making them a perfect choice for businesses and legal professionals managing cross-border disputes.  

Affordable Rates  

Competitive pricing ensures you get world-class facilities without breaking the bank, whether you’re hosting a single conference or a series of hearings.  

Exceptional Service 

THAC provides additional services catering to different needs, including video recording service, hearing transcription, print and copy services, food services, and more. 

To book a hearing room, please visit event-booking.thac.or.th/en/room 

Resolve Disputes Efficiently with THAC 

The Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) is a trusted leader in resolving disputes. Offering professional arbitration and mediation services, THAC provides a simplified, cost-effective alternative to traditional court processes. The experienced arbitrators and lawyers ensure disputes are handled swiftly, professionally, and with minimal disruption.

Please get in touch with us at

Email: [email protected] 

Call: +66 (0)2018 1615