Introduction: AI in Judiciary
Over the last 74 years, the Supreme Court of India has delivered landmark and sometimes controversial judgments, such as the Sabarimala verdict, the decriminalization of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, and the Ayodhya judgment. However, one important question arises: how long do these cases sit pending in the courts before they are decided?
As the saying goes, “plant today, harvest tomorrow”—years often pass before a case is resolved. While lawyers and judges require time to present arguments and thoroughly analyze cases, a significant reason for the delay lies in the sheer volume of frivolous petitions being filed. Judges are forced to spend considerable time sifting through these unmeritorious cases before focusing on more meaningful matters.
National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) Report A recent report from the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) revealed that about 2.6 crore cases remain unresolved in local, district, and high courts. The NJDG for High Courts was launched by Shri. K.K. Venugopal on July 3, 2020, and since 2023, data from the Supreme Court has also been made available on the portal. The primary purpose of the portal is to track the status of pending and resolved cases in the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Subordinate Courts. As of 2024, the pending cases in SC and HC : Supreme Court : High Court
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To tackle this issue of case pendency, the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the judiciary is becoming increasingly essential. AI has the potential to streamline judicial processes, reduce delays, and improve efficiency in handling cases.
Ex-Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, has recently spoken about the capabilities of AI in enhancing the justice system. He advocates for the use of AI in delivering faster and more efficient justice. Earlier this year, he highlighted that AI represents a new frontier of innovation with the potential to transform the judicial process. By using AI-powered tools, courts can automate administrative tasks, minimize paperwork, and speed up the resolution of legal disputes.
Thus, incorporating AI into the judiciary may not only help reduce the backlog of cases but also improve the overall efficiency and accessibility of the justice system. While there may be challenges in implementing such technology, its potential to revolutionize the Indian legal system is undeniable.
The Growing Role of AI: A Step Towards Smarter Justice
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a part of nearly every aspect of our lives. From suggesting articles online to displaying targeted advertisements based on our searches, AI is everywhere. It has also transformed various industries—robots are used in manufacturing, Nokia relies on automation for production, and robot-themed restaurants are popping up across the country. These advancements showcase how AI enhances accuracy and simplifies predictions in various tasks. In restaurants, robots serve food; in schools, virtual classes have redefined education. With so much innovation, it’s no surprise that AI is now making its way into the field of law. By integrating AI in courts, we can reduce the duration of litigations and streamline the legal process.
For instance, AI can predict the outcomes of cases based on historical data. This can discourage parties from filing unnecessary or frivolous petitions since they’ll have a clearer idea of how their case might conclude. The result? Faster resolution of disputes and a more efficient judicial system.
The incorporation of AI in law isn't just about technology—it's about making justice smarter, faster, and more accessible for everyone.
AI & LAW:
The Indian legal sector has largely relied on traditional practices for decades, with limited innovation. Lawyers and judges are accustomed to labor-intensive tasks like sorting through piles of documents, identifying patterns, spotting irregularities, and analyzing complex cases. These repetitive and time-consuming tasks slow down the legal process significantly.
In recent years, some law firms have adopted e-discovery software to screen and organize vast amounts of documents for litigation purposes. Such tools enhance legal research and help lawyers and judges focus on the crux of the matter more effectively. However, artificial intelligence (AI) in the Indian judiciary is still primarily used to improve courtroom efficiency, with little focus on speeding up case resolutions or reducing the backlog of cases.
AI has the potential to revolutionize the Indian legal system by addressing these challenges. By integrating advanced AI tools, legal professionals can achieve faster and more accurate research, ensuring precision in drafting and reviewing legal documents. Additionally, predictive AI software could be developed to forecast case outcomes based on historical precedents.
Such tools can play a crucial role in decision-making and discourage unnecessary or frivolous petitions. When parties have a clearer understanding of the likely outcomes of their cases, they may be more inclined to seek settlements instead of pursuing lengthy litigations.
By adopting AI in a more holistic manner, the Indian judiciary can work toward reducing delays, improving efficiency, and ensuring timely justice for all. This shift isn’t just about modernizing the legal system—it’s about making justice accessible, faster, and more effective for everyone.
Conclusion: AI for Efficient and Timely Justice
Litigation can change lives, and people turn to courts with hope that justice will be served. Courts should not let technology replace human judgment, but AI can assist judges and lawyers to work more efficiently.
AI can help improve legal research, speed up case resolutions, and reduce pending cases. It allows judges to access all relevant information quickly, enhancing the quality of arguments and decisions.
Technology is advancing rapidly across all sectors, and the legal system must keep pace. If the courts do not embrace technology, they risk falling behind.
By adopting AI, India’s judiciary can speed up justice, ensuring it is neither delayed nor denied.
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