Four Supreme Court judges stressed the need for India’s judiciary to adapt to emerging challenges from data, AI, and technology. Speaking at an international event in Indore, they called for fairness, innovation, and legal reforms in the digital era.
Indore: The judiciary must keep pace with the fast-changing world of technology, said four Supreme Court judges on Saturday while speaking at the International Colloquium on “Evolving Horizons: Navigating Complexity and Innovation in Commercial and Arbitration Law in the Digital World,” held in Indore.
The judges highlighted that with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), data control, and new innovations, India’s legal system must evolve to meet modern challenges in the digital era.
In his inaugural address, Justice Jitendra Kumar Maheshwari of the Supreme Court said,
“The goal of the judiciary is not to reinvent law but to expand the frontiers of fairness without restricting the idea of fair competition.”
He explained that the judiciary’s main objective is to promote fairness and justice, even as the world undergoes rapid economic and technological change.
Justice Maheshwari also stressed,
“In the modern economy, control over data has become more significant than mere ownership of firms or companies, and therefore, transparency and fairness must be ensured without curbing economic growth.”
He pointed out that in today’s economy, control over data is more valuable than the mere ownership of companies or assets.
Echoing similar views, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah said,
“The legal profession cannot remain an exception to technological progress.”
He added,
“With the rise of technology-driven and automated contracts, the judiciary must ensure that justice is not compromised due to technological evolution and must evolve alongside these advancements.”
Justice Amanullah emphasised that the legal community must embrace technological progress instead of resisting it.
Justice Rajesh Bindal said,
“As business expands, disputes naturally increase, and the solution lies within the judiciary.”
He also added,
“Since India has emerged as the fourth-largest economy in the world, there is an urgent need to change our mindset and provide specialised training to all stakeholders.”
Justice Bindal further noted that while artificial intelligence offers great benefits, it also creates new challenges in areas like patents and intellectual property registrations.
He emphasised that as India’s economy grows, the number of business disputes will naturally rise, and the judiciary plays a crucial role in resolving them efficiently.
Speaking about India’s growing global influence, Justice Aravind Kumar said,
“India is not just a participant but an architect of the global economy.”
He further stated,
“The ease of doing business and innovation must progress hand in hand without compromising justice.”
Justice Kumar also said there is a need to move
“from adjudication to collaboration and from arbitration to innovation,”
urging the legal fraternity to adapt to this evolving environment.
Madhya Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said that the state is
“well-positioned to become a hub for legal and technological innovation, aligned with the national goal of ‘Ease of Doing Business’.”
He expressed confidence that Madhya Pradesh can emerge as a centre for both legal and technological advancement.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said,
“India has a long tradition of deliberating on all aspects of justice and engaging in scholarly debates on complex issues.”
He also stated,
“The judiciary has delivered historic verdicts in the Shah Bano case from Indore and the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute.”
The Chief Minister praised India’s long-standing legal and philosophical traditions and lauded the judiciary for its landmark judgments.
The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta and Deputy Director General of the Danish Patent and Trademark Office Maria Skou, along with legal experts, judges, and scholars.
They discussed how commercial and arbitration law must adapt to technological transformation in the digital era.
Overall, the colloquium in Indore conveyed a strong message — that India’s judiciary and legal system must not lag behind the digital revolution.
As technology continues to reshape commerce, data protection, and global business practices, the judges unanimously agreed that law and justice must evolve to ensure fairness, innovation, and economic growth go hand in hand.
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