Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant warned young lawyers against excessive reliance on AI and copy-pasting in legal drafting. He emphasized that AI tools should assist rather than replace critical thinking and originality in legal writing. Overdependence on technology, he noted, could weaken analytical skills and professional growth. Justice Kant urged budding lawyers to focus on research, reasoning, and in-depth understanding to excel in the legal field.
New Delhi: At a recent event organized by the Supreme Court Advocates On Record Association, Justice Surya Kant of the Supreme Court raised concerns about the growing reliance of young lawyers on artificial intelligence and the practice of copying and pasting when preparing legal documents.
He highlighted the essential value of human intellect and intuition in law, warning against an over-reliance on technology’s ready-made solutions.
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Justice Kant remarked,
“While technology definitely has its own advantages and can aid research and organization, it can never replace intellectual rigor particularly human depth and human intuition that are hallmarks of a skilled advocate on record.”
Justice Kant highlighted the limitations of artificial intelligence by stating,
“Artificial Intelligence, I doubt, has a degree of ability to comprehend context in complete sense and capture subtleties of advocacy that make a difference in a court of law.”
He emphasized the necessity of grasping the intricate and nuanced nature of legal proceedings, which AI tools may not fully understand.
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He encouraged the legal community, particularly new entrants, to concentrate on developing their legal skills and Judgment rather than relying on technological shortcuts.
Justice Kant warned that focusing on the sheer number of cases instead of the quality of legal work could compromise professional standards and threaten the integrity of the legal field.
His advice comes at a time when the legal sector is increasingly engaging with rapidly advancing digital technologies, including AI. Justice Kant’s comments serve as a crucial reminder for young lawyers to strike a balance between utilizing technology and nurturing their personal capabilities as legal professionals.
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AI in legal drafting has both advantages and drawbacks. It enhances efficiency, reduces human error, and speeds up research, making legal work more accessible and cost-effective. AI tools can draft contracts, summarize case laws, and ensure consistency in legal documents.
However, AI lacks human judgment, contextual understanding, and ethical reasoning. Overdependence may weaken lawyers‘ analytical skills and lead to inaccuracies. While AI is a powerful aid, it should not replace human expertise. The key lies in balancing technology with critical legal judgement to ensure accuracy and integrity in legal practice.