How an efficient integration of AI into our judicial system could help realise “complete justice”

ON MARCH 20, 2025, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha provided the information that the Supreme Court of India is using Artificial Intelligence (‘AI’) and Machine Learning (‘ML’) in case management. It is used to transcribe oral arguments in Constitution Bench matters. The Supreme Court Registry, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (‘NIC’), also uses AI and ML to translate judgments from the English language to 18 Indian languages and, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, to identify defects in online filings. Access to the prototype has been granted to two hundred Advocates-on-Record to use the same and share their feedback, strengthening the right to access justice and the right to administration of justice. The Supreme Court does not use AI or ML-based tools in its decision-making process.Additionally, the AI-based tool, Supreme Court Portal Assistance in Court Efficiency (‘SUPACE’), aimed at developing a module to understand the factual matrix of cases with an intelligent search of the precedents apart from identifying the cases, is in an experimental stage of development for its testing. SUPACE may be deployed after procurement and deploying graphic processing unit(s) and other latest technology-based units..The Supreme Court does not use AI or ML-based tools in its decision-making process..Collaborative effort of the CourtThe Supreme Courts of India and Singapore signed two Memorandums of Understanding (‘MOUs’) in September 2023 to strengthen judicial cooperation. But what makes this interesting? Their focus on leveraging technology to improve access to justice - a crucial step towards modernising courts.One key takeaway from this partnership is the shared goal of using AI and digital tools to make legal systems more efficient. Singapore’s judiciary is already experimenting with AI tools for legal research and case management.The Singapore-India Judicial Roundtable, launched as part of this collaboration, is set to become an annual event. It will provide space for judges and legal experts from both countries to discuss new technologies, AI ethics, and digital reforms in the judiciary. This means the partnership could lead to better AI-driven legal solutions, faster case resolutions, and a fairer system for people in both nations.Such collaborations pave the way for intelligent court management systems—making justice quicker, smarter, and more accessible..India must implement clear regulatory frameworks and proactive legislative measures to ensure responsible AI adoption, rather than reacting post-crisis..Systematic challengesIndia’s judicial system is plagued by infrastructural and manpower shortages. The estimated population of India is 1.4 billion, and the sanctioned strength of judges overall is just 25,081, for slightly over 20,000 courtrooms..ANI v. OpenAI in the Delhi HC: Everything so far and all that is at stake.On average, a judge is expected to handle 60 to 150 cases. Most judges have little or no time to reflect as their day passes by managing cases, getting on with trials, lengthy hearings, reading a plethora of documents, and after court hours, analysing facts, the law, and writing judgments.The legal system needs to deliver justice faster and more efficiently. Innovation, ethics & AIGlobal concerns about AI’s implications are growing, but skepticism should not overshadow its potential. AI is a human invention meant to enhance lives, not replace human decision-making. In a previous article, I discussed the cost of AI-driven innovation and the balance required to protect rights in both digital and non-digital spaces.India must implement clear regulatory frameworks and proactive legislative measures to ensure responsible AI adoption, rather than reacting post-crisis. AI guidelines must evolve alongside technological advancements to prevent misuse while fostering innovation. The challenge lies not in AI itself but in the reluctance to adopt timely legal mechanisms to regulate its application..What needs to be done?The Supreme Court of India is the constitutional custodian of justice. It is its constitutional duty under Article 142 to deliver “complete justice.” However, the meaning of “complete justice” should be broadened beyond its existing interpretation to include judicial efficiency and the timely resolution of cases.AI’s integration into the judiciary must be seen as an evolution and not as a disruption. Resistance to technological change - both procedural and psychological - remains a barrier. The Indian judiciary’s technological shift was greatly forced by COVID-19, proving that change can happen under necessity. However, we cannot afford to wait and react after a similar crisis has unfolded. With tens of millions of cases pending, ignoring AI’s potential is not the direction; proactive adaptation is necessary.The current application of AI in legal systems worldwide focuses primarily on translation, summarisation, and legal research. However, the next step must involve AI models capable of analysing factual matrices, identifying legal precedents, and suggesting case strategies. AI cannot interpret human emotions, morality, or cultural contexts, but it can serve as a powerful judicial aid.An example showcasing efficiency is Germany’s judicial modernisation effort. By 2026, all German courts will adopt electronic file management, aligning with the European Union’s digitalisation goals. One standout initiative is OLGA, an AI assistant developed by IBM in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice in Baden-Württemberg. OLGA assists in case categorisation and metadata extraction at the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court, which faced a backlog of over 10,000 cases. It reduced case processing time by over 50 percent, streamlining judicial operations and minimising delays.Germany’s approach sets a benchmark for integrating AI into legal systems worldwide, demonstrating how technology can enhance efficiency..Germany’s approach sets a benchmark for integrating AI into legal systems worldwide, demonstrating how technology can enhance efficiency..A multidisciplinary approach to AI in lawFor AI to revolutionise India’s judiciary, a cooperative approach is essential. This requires constructive engagement from legal professionals, technologists, policymakers, and academic researchers. Deep collaboration between the judiciary and AI developers can ensure that legal technology is not only efficient but also ethically sound and adaptable to India’s unique judicial needs..At the Paris AI Action Summit, all eyes must be on the European Union.The future of legal AI should not be limited to administrative support but should evolve to encompass case reasoning, pattern identification, and computational legal analysis. AI-driven tools must complement judicial expertise, expediting case processing while maintaining legal and ethical integrity.The apt choiceThe future of the judiciary does not lie in resisting technological progress but in strategically harnessing AI to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. While AI should never replace judicial discretion, its role as a powerful judicial aid is undeniable. The judiciary stands at a crossroads - either embrace innovation to ensure justice is swift and equitable or risk being burdened by an outdated, inefficient system. The choice is not just about modernisation; it is about upholding the very promise of justice itself.

How an efficient integration of AI into our judicial system could help realise “complete justice”

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