Introduction

Through the use of technology, the Indian judiciary which has historically been hampered by paper-based procedures and procedural obstacles is going through a dramatic transition. Projects like the National Judicial Data Network (NJDG) and the e-court service have revolutionized case administration, increased transparency, and enhanced access to justice. In order to overcome barriers, video conferencing facilities maintain remote audiences’ geographic accessibility. Even with advancements, problems like cybersecurity threats and inadequate infrastructure still exist. This blog looks at how technology is changing the Indian court, taking into account how it affects transparency, efficiency, and the possibility of future digital innovation to better judicial governance in contemporary India.

A new revolution in every aspect of human existence is being driven by technology. According to a paper titled “Online Courts and the future of the courts,” technology will usher in a decade of fascinating legal business that will completely transform our traditional, conservative courts.[i] The exponential increase in population over the years combined with a judge scarcity has presented the Indian court system with enormous challenges. As a result, the number of pending cases has significantly increased, and the inefficiencies in the judicial system have become more obvious.[ii] This blog examines how artificial intelligence might help the Indian legal system overcome its obstacles. Investigating AI’s actual scope and applicability to legal administration and application, however, is crucial.[iii]

Advantages of Technology in the Legal Field

Technology use in the legal field has a number of advantages that are beneficial to both the practice of law and the administration of justice[iv]. It has revolutionized the legal environment of today by substituting contemporary methods for traditional ones. Increased productivity, better teamwork, quick turnaround times, easier access to information, vast data storage capacities, better legal research, cost savings, ease of use, increased transparency, data analytics, predictive insights, and enhanced case management are just a few advantages of legal technology. Legal practitioners can operate more productively because to technology, which automates time-consuming and repetitive processes like scheduling, document management, and legal research. This results in less work for the administrative staff, increased output, and the capacity to manage more cases.

Utilization of technology in the Supreme Court

Over the past few years, the Indian Supreme Court, High Courts, and other legal firms have adopted vital measures to embrace technology and adapt to it in order to expeditiously and efficiently accomplish their tasks. A nine-judge panel rendered important rulings on the ideas of open justice, openness in the legal system, and access to public information in the case of Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court of India.[v] “Whether or not there should be live streaming of court proceedings” was another major question that was answered. “Live-streaming of court proceedings is manifestly in the public interest,” the Supreme judicial ruled. The relevance of live-streaming as an expansion of the idea of open justice and open courts must be emphasized once more. The Indian Supreme Court released a call for Financial, Technical, and EMD bids on May 23, 2023, for the design, development, and implementation of AI systems that will record court arguments and proceedings.

Technological Initiatives in the Indian Judiciary

• E-courts: The E-Courts mission, which was launched in 2005 under the authority of the Indian Supreme Court, is at the vanguard of such efforts. Through the use of electronic case management systems (CMS), electronic filing systems, and digital case record repositories, this effort aims to digitize courtroom procedures across the country. The E-Courts initiative expedites case disposal, minimizes paperwork, and streamlines administrative duties by allowing plaintiffs, attorneys, and court officers to electronically report cases and obtain case-related statistics online.
• Simultaneously, the NJDG (National Judicial Data Network) is a crucial instrument for promoting accountability and transparency inside the judiciary. Real-time updates on case status, judge workload distribution, and settlement fees are provided by the NJDG through the consolidation of data from district courts located in the southern region. In addition to facilitating judicial monitoring and operational analysis, this data hiding in the middle also informs policy decisions, enables informed judicial processes, and empowers stakeholders.
• E-SCRs: Electronic Supreme Court Reports, or e-SCRs for short, are digital or electronic copies of the official reports of rulings and directives from the Indian Supreme Court. Lawyers, legal experts, scholars, and members of the public can use it to look up specific cases, see earlier rulings, and keep up with the most recent Supreme Court rulings.
• SUVAS: In 2019, the President of India was given with SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software). According to a press release published on November 25, 2019, “SUVAS is an artificial intelligence-trained machine-assisted translation tool. Currently capable of translating English judicial documents, orders, or judgments into nine vernacular language scripts and vice versa, this tool was created specifically for the judicial domain. The introduction of artificial intelligence in the judicial domain begins with this. Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Urdu, Assamese, Kannada, Odiya, and Tamil are among the nine Indian languages.
• SUPACE: An AI research assistant tool called SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency) serves to increase the productivity of valid analysts and judges by lowering pendency and increasing proficiency. It can even obtain information from thousands of pages of papers in a matter of seconds.

Impact of Technology in Indian Judiciary

The efficiency and accessibility of the legal system have been greatly altered by the use of technology in the courtroom. Digital tools have expedited court procedures, streamlined case administration, and handled evidence, cutting down on delays and speeding up case resolution.[vi] 

Presenting and evaluating evidence in court has become more straightforward due to the digitization of documents and evidence. The ease of storing, retrieving, and sharing digital materials lowers the possibility of loss or modification. Furthermore, the documents’ validity and integrity are guaranteed by digital signatures and encryption technologies, which raises the credibility of forensic evidence.

Electronic filing systems also enable courts to handle matters digitally, which clears up the desk and makes pertinent information easier to find during hearings or trials.[vii]

Challenges in the Integration of Technology

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: Judges now depend more than ever on digital technology, which puts them at danger of data breaches and cyberattacks. One of the main concerns is safeguarding litigant confidentiality and protecting important legal information. The integrity of digital court systems must be safeguarded by robust cybersecurity regulations and data protection practices.[viii]

Infrastructure and Technical Support: Infrastructure and technical support investments are necessary due to the judiciary’s use of technology services. Basic court facilities including computers, technical staff, and high-speed Internet connectivity are lacking in many courts, particularly lesser courts. Ensuring uniform technical proficiency throughout all courts is a significant undertaking.

Bandwidth & Connectivity: One of the biggest obstacles to the full integration of technology in the Indian judiciary is bandwidth and connectivity problems. For e-courts and video conferences to be successful and to ensure that justice is delivered in a timely manner, there must be dependable and fast Internet access. While most cities have sufficient Internet infrastructure, connectivity is frequently poor in rural and isolated places. This disparity hampers access to justice for people living in less connected environments, fosters a digital divide, and impedes the continuous application of technical advancements to the judicial profession. It is imperative to tackle these communication problems in order to guarantee an equitable and effective legal system nationwide.

Conclusion

Technology integration in the Indian legal system has enormous potential to increase access to justice, efficiency, and transparency. Technology is set to revolutionize the legal system with e-courts, video conferencing, AI-powered tools, and online dispute resolution, but the path ahead is paved with obstacles like the digital divide, cybersecurity issues, resistance to change, and most notably, bandwidth and connectivity problems. To overcome these challenges and guarantee consistent technical outcomes, a coordinated effort by all parties involved is needed, including infrastructure investment, thorough training programs, and codified rules and regulations. A fair, inclusive, and contemporary judicial system that serves the interests of all citizens will be possible when technical innovation and the essential human components of justice are balanced.

[i] K. Vanathi Krishna & K. Shobika, Technology in Upgrading Indian Courts, 18 SUPREMO AMICUS 969 (2020).

[ii] Artificial Intelligence In The Indian Judiciary: Current Applications And Future Prospects. (2023). Journal of Namibian Studies : History Politics Culture, 33, 3479-3493.

[iii] Rajnish Bishnoi, Rajvir Kaur, Navdeep Kaur, Harmandeep Kaur, Amandeep Kaur and Anmoldeep Johal (2024) “Utilizing Artificial Intelligence in Legal System with Special Reference of India”, Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, 30(5), pp. 2217–2223. doi: 10.53555/kuey.v30i5.2380.

[iv] Legal technology, also known as legal tech or law tech, plays a significant role in the Indian legal system, Free Law: Get Free Headnotes & Judgments.https://www.freelaw.in/-legalarticles/Role-and-Future-of-Legal-Technology-in-the-Indian-Judicial-System

[v] Swapnil Tripathi v. Supreme Court of India 2018 (10) SCC 639

[vi] Social Media’s Impact on Criminal Justice – iResearchNet, Criminal Justice Impact of Technology – Criminal Justice Process – iResearchNet

[vii] Legal technology: Guide to various types, use cases, and benefits, Thomson Reuters Law Blog The Impact of Technology on the Legal System | A Plus Court Reporting (aplusreportingservice.com)

[viii] Impact of Technology on Access to Justice in India: Opportunities and Challenges, Prime Legal https://primelegal.in/2024/04/28/impact-of-technology-on-access-to-justice-in-india-opportunities-and-challenges/#:~:text=Data%20Privacy%–20and%20Security%3A%20Technology,–to%20the%20accessibility%20of%20data.