The Punjab & Haryana High Court slams lawyers for using mobile phones and AI during hearings, emphasizing the importance of preparation, professionalism, and courtroom intelligence over reliance on artificial intelligence or online searches.
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Chandigarh: In an era where lawyers increasingly turn to AI for quick answers, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has sent a clear reminder: real advocacy still comes from human intellect, not algorithms.
In an order, Justice Sanjay Vashisth cautioned advocates against using mobile phones or AI tools during court proceedings, remarking that such reliance not only disrupts hearings but also reflects poor preparation and discourtesy toward the court.
“This Court is concerned and bothered time and again by the respective members of the Bar using mobile phones during the course of hearing, just in front of the Court,”
Justice Vashisth observed.
The Court highlighted a growing trend among lawyers who, when faced with judicial queries, reach for their smartphones to search Google or use artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to find quick answers. The Bench termed this practice “unprofessional and unacceptable.”
“Sometimes, proceedings are to be stalled, awaiting the answer, which would come only after retrieving information from such mobile phone,”
the order noted, expressing frustration over how hearings were being delayed by such behaviour.
Justice Vashisth did not mince words while directing the Bar Association to circulate the message among its members. The Court made it clear that continued use of mobile phones during hearings could invite “harsh orders” in the future.
“The President/Secretary of the Bar Association may apprise the worthy members not to compel the Court to pass any harsh order on account of repeated use of mobile phones during the course of hearing to update themselves through artificial intelligence/online platforms/Google information,”
Justice Vashisth stated.
This is not the first time the High Court has taken issue with such conduct. The Bench referred to an earlier incident from September 19, when a lawyer’s phone was seized for similar misuse during proceedings. Following that event, the Court had directed the Bar Association to circulate the order among its members to curb the habit.
The Court drew a distinction between using professional devices like iPads or laptops, which can be integrated with case files, and the casual use of mobile phones during arguments.
“Firstly, the use of a mobile phone while addressing the arguments in the court reflects a discourteous and unprofessional attitude, which cannot be condoned,”
the Bench observed.
“Secondly, unlike iPads or laptops, which are considered professional tools integrated with the office setup and case files, mobile phones are not regarded as acceptable devices for use during arguments.”
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Justice Vashisth stressed that advocates should be fully prepared with facts, precedents, and legal provisions before entering the courtroom, instead of relying on AI or online searches mid-hearing.
“Information ought to have been collected in advance while preparing the case for arguments,”
the order emphasized.
The Court reiterated that lawyers’ arguments should be guided by preparation, legal reasoning, and advocacy skills, not by last-minute internet lookups or AI-generated answers.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 2.
Appearance:
Mr. Sandeep Verma, Advocate for the petitioner(s).
Mr. Amish Sharma, AAG, Haryana.
Case Title:
RXXXXX vs. State of Haryana
CRM-M-31392-2025
Read Order:
