CJI Gavai stressed the transformative role of technology in improving access to justice, saying, “Technology must support, not supplant judicial judgment,” and emphasised that it should assist, not replace, individual case analysis and reasoning.
Chief Justice of India B R Gavai highlighted the transformative impact of technology on improving access to justice in a vast and diverse nation like India.
Speaking at the international symposium on ‘The Role of Technology to Improve Access to Justice’ at the University of Cambridge, CJI Gavai asserted that while technology should enhance judicial functions, it must not replace the decision-making process.
Also Read: CJI BR Gavai: “Judges Should Remain Free from External Influence”
The CJI stated,
“The path forward demands adherence to fundamental principles. Technology must enhance rather than replace judicial functions, particularly reasoned decision-making and individual case assessment. We must ensure that automated systems support rather than supplant judicial judgment,”
He emphasized that meaningful reform in the justice delivery system requires policy interventions. There is a need for governance frameworks that prioritize human oversight, algorithmic transparency, and accountability in technology-driven decisions.
CJI Gavai laid out a vision for a more inclusive and responsive legal system, driven by digital innovation.
He noted,
“Access to justice represents the backbone of any fair and equitable legal system. It ensures that all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, geographic location, or personal circumstances, can effectively participate in and benefit from legal processes.”
In a country where over two-thirds of the population resides in rural areas and more than 121 languages are spoken, ensuring equitable access to courts is both a constitutional obligation and a moral duty.
He praised the foresight of the Constitution’s framers, who established mechanisms to guarantee access to justice, including Articles 32 and 226, allowing citizens to approach the Supreme Court and high courts directly for the protection of their rights.
He asserted,
“Recognizing access to justice as the cornerstone of any democracy, the framers of the Indian Constitution, with foresight, understood that without meaningful access to legal recourse, the rights enshrined within the Constitution would remain mere hollow promises for millions of citizens,”
CJI Gavai referred to key initiatives that have digitally transformed the Indian judiciary, noting that video conferencing has become a permanent feature in courts, enabling lawyers from remote areas to present cases before the Supreme Court without incurring the costs and time associated with travel.
He remarked that technology is helping to dismantle barriers to access to justice.
He explained,
“Video conferencing technology has made the most impact on accessibility to the court. A lawyer practising in rural Bihar or rural Maharashtra can now appear before the Supreme Court without the expense and time of travelling to Delhi. It has democratized access to the country’s highest court, ensuring that geographical location no longer determines the quality of legal representation available to citizens. Vulnerable witnesses, particularly children, can now testify without being physically present in intimidating courtroom environments,”
With the advent of technology, citizens can track case statuses, download court orders, and view hearing schedules through the Case Information System, eliminating the need for physical presence.
CJI Gavai further emphasized that video conferencing has made access to the courts more democratic by enabling lawyers from remote areas to represent clients before the Supreme Court.
He stated,
“A lawyer practicing in rural Bihar or rural Maharashtra can now appear before the Supreme Court without the expense and time of travelling to Delhi,”
He also highlighted the SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software), an AI-powered translation tool that converts legal documents into nine regional languages, thereby empowering non-English speakers with access to vital information.
Justice Gavai commended the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) for its use of technology to enhance services for the most vulnerable populations.
The CJI remarked,
“These innovations are not just conveniences; they are lifelines for those who would otherwise be left outside the judicial system,”
He described the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) as a transformative tool for judicial transparency and performance monitoring. As of early 2025, the NJDG monitors over 23 crore cases and 22 crore orders from more than 18,000 courts, facilitating data-driven policymaking and helping to identify procedural challenges.
However, the CJI warned that technology should not become an additional obstacle to justice, noting that “the digital divide is real.”
Also Read: CJI BR Gavai Pays Tribute to Dr BR Ambedkar at Gray’s Inn, London
He emphasized that without equal access to internet connectivity, devices, and digital literacy, marginalized communities may face further exclusion.
He added,
“As we readily integrate technology in our quest to make justice more accessible, we must also acknowledge that technology can act as a double-edged sword, which may also lead to unparalleled divides. A primary concern is the digital divide, where unequal access to internet connectivity, devices, and digital literacy can lead to the exclusion of marginalized communities who already face barriers to justice. For technology to truly serve justice, accessibility and inclusion must be foundational to its design,”
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
