In a landmark move, the Supreme Courts of India and Russia signed an MoU in Moscow to strengthen judicial cooperation, focusing on technology-enabled court administration, exchange of best practices, and professional capacity-building through structured training and collaborative programmes.
In a pioneering initiative, the Supreme Courts of India and Russia signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Moscow on Tuesday to enhance judicial cooperation. The agreement places special emphasis on technology-enabled court administration and professional capacity-building.
The MoU was executed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation Igor Krasnov, during the Indian delegation’s visit to Moscow.
The MoU aims to formalise cooperation between the two apex courts through structured exchanges of judicial experience, the sharing of best practices in information technology, and joint programmes focused on professional training and personnel development.
Speaking to the Russian delegation, CJI Surya Kant said both jurisdictions face shared challenges in maintaining public trust in the administration of justice while responding to rapid technological developments.
The CJI noted that technology is now an essential part of India’s justice delivery system, citing measures such as the digitisation of court records, virtual hearings, video conferencing facilities, and public access to court records online.
He also referred to the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in judicial administration and legal research.
Highlighting the Supreme Court’s efforts, the CJI mentioned tools like SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) for translating judicial documents into multiple regional languages, and the newly launched AI-powered chatbot Su Sahy, which supports litigants, lawyers, and the public by providing information on court procedures and case status.
At the same time, CJI Surya Kant stressed that the administration of justice must remain fundamentally a human endeavour.
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He underscored that artificial intelligence may help judges by organising information and improving administrative efficiency, but it cannot decide outcomes, judge witness credibility, evaluate evidence, or exercise judicial discretion.
The discussions between the delegations focused on two main areas: the adoption of modern, advanced technologies in judicial work, and investment in judicial education particularly advanced training and capacity-building for court staff.
The MoU is seen as an important milestone in judicial diplomacy between India and Russia and is expected to strengthen institutional collaboration between the two Supreme Courts, particularly in technology, training, and knowledge exchange.
