How an efficient integration of AI into our judicial system could help realise “complete justice”
With just over 25,000 judges for 1.4 billion, India’s overburdened judicial system could learn from Germany how deep collaboration between courts and AI developers could improve case management and pattern analysis
Published on: 6 April 2025, 12:27 pm
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 Court
The 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.