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The Supreme Court has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) to collaborate to use artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies for transcription tools, the summarisation of page transcripts, and translation tools. Also, for large language models for the legal domain, to establish an exclusive streaming platform for court trials, and process automation.
The collaboration will leverage AI tools for capacity building and training, creating e-learning platforms, and developing ICT skill development courses. According to an official statement, the move is a significant advancement in the integration of AI in improving efficiency, accessibility, and capacity building within the legal sector.
The agreement was inked following the visit of Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud to IIT-Madras earlier this July. The objective of the MoU is to enable the digital transformation of the Indian judiciary, in line with the vision of creating a more efficient and technologically advanced legal ecosystem that improves access to justice.
During his appearance at the 60th Convocation Ceremony of IIT Madras, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) commented on the vast potential of AI while also acknowledging its capacity to perpetuate discrimination and unfair treatment. The true value of technology lies in its ability to uphold the freedoms and human rights of every individual. Technology can build resilience against future threats that may endanger future freedoms, he noted.
The CJI has consistently championed the incorporation of technology within the judicial system, even asserting that “technology is not a matter of choice” anymore and is very much a part of the legal system.
In 2021, the Judgments and Orders portal and the E-Filing 3.0 module were launched to fortify the country’s legal system. The portal is a comprehensive archive of judgments issued by High Courts across the country. It offers a user-friendly interface that allows individuals to search for judgments based on various criteria.
Users can perform free text searches, allowing them to look for judgments using keywords. Users can also refine their searches by bench, case type, case number, year, the petitioner or respondent, the presiding Judge, relevant act, section, disposal nature, and decision date. Furthermore, the portal provides an embedded filtering feature, ensuring that search results are precise and tailored to the user’s needs.
The E-Filing 3.0 module, introduced by the e-Committee of the Supreme Court, enables the electronic filing of court documents, and eliminates the need for lawyers or clients to physically visit the court premises for case filing. It provides the ability to file multiple applications apart and virtually exchange information and case papers between advocates and courts. The project system was completed in six months, as OpenGov Asia reported.
In August this year, the Karnataka High Court rolled out a new version of E-filing 3.0, which offers more advanced features than its previous versions. The move promotes a paperless court environment and streamlines procedures for faster justice delivery.
Last week, the Madras High Court revealed its upgrade in e-filing technology. According to reports, the new software will significantly minimise the metadata entry required by advocates when filing cases. It will assist in monitoring all cases they’ve filed across the state’s courts and allow for the uploading of litigants’ videos to confirm their case submissions.