The Law Ministry allocated Rs.54 crore to promote AI adoption in the judiciary. To tackle key data protection and privacy issues, a sub-committee comprising six High Court judges has been formed. This initiative aims to enhance judicial efficiency while ensuring security. The move reflects the government’s commitment to modernizing the legal system.
New Delhi: Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Law & Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, recently informed Parliament that the government is actively considering the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop a “smart judicial system”.
The integration of technologies such as Machine Learning (ML), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and Natural Language Processing (NLP) aims to reduce manual data entry and file examination, ultimately enhancing user experience.
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Meghwal stated,
“AI is being used in areas such as intelligent scheduling, prediction and forecast, improving administrative efficiency, Natural Language Processing (NLP), automated filing, enhancing the case information system, communicating with the litigants through chatbots and translation.”
To tackle significant data protection and privacy issues, a sub-committee comprising six High Court judges, supported by a technical working group of experts, has been established.
This committee, appointed by the Supreme Court of India eCommittee Chairperson and Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna, will assess the digital infrastructure and network solutions under the eCourts project. Its mandate includes recommending secure connectivity and authentication mechanisms to safeguard data and protect citizens’ privacy.
The government allocated a significant Rs.7,210 crore for eCourts Phase III, which includes 24 project components. Among these, the “Future Technological Advancement” component specifically focuses on the integration of AI, blockchain, and other emerging technologies.
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The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Phase III has earmarked Rs. 53.57 crore for this component until 2027.
This information was shared in response to a question from Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain in the Rajya Sabha, who sought clarification on the government’s strategies to utilize AI for case management, data privacy, and reducing judicial backlogs.
Notably, it was revealed in Parliament that there are currently 5.19 crore pending cases in courts nationwide.
AI adoption in the judiciary is transforming legal systems worldwide by improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. Some key areas where AI is being integrated into judicial processes include:
1. Legal Research & Case Law Analysis
- AI-powered tools like Harvey AI and ROSS Intelligence assist judges and lawyers by quickly analyzing case laws, statutes, and legal precedents.
- AI can summarize judgments, reducing the time spent on legal research.
2. Predictive Analytics & Case Outcome Prediction
- AI can assess past judgments and predict case outcomes based on legal precedents.
- Some courts use AI to assist in bail decisions, risk assessments, and sentencing recommendations (e.g., COMPAS in the U.S.).
3. E-Courts & Virtual Hearings
- AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants help litigants file cases, track proceedings, and understand legal procedures.
- Virtual courtrooms use AI for transcription, document verification, and automated scheduling.
4. Case Management & Decision Support
- AI tools streamline case allocation, scheduling, and document management.
- Some courts use AI for automated document redaction to protect sensitive information.
5. Automated Judgments for Minor Cases
- Some jurisdictions use AI for resolving small claims, traffic violations, and tax disputes without human intervention.
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