Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, underscored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the legal profession, emphasizing its role in streamlining routine tasks and enabling lawyers to focus on more strategic and high-value activities. Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day National Conference on “The Landscape of Technology in Courts in India and the Way Forward” held at the Chandigarh Judicial Academy, the Chief Justice reflected on how technology has historically influenced the legal field, expressing optimism that the profession will similarly adapt to the rise of AI.
In his address, the Chief Justice highlighted that younger lawyers who have already adapted to various technological advancements, are now being liberated from hours of monotonous work. This shift allows them to hone essential skills such as deep legal analysis, persuasive writing, and innovative problem-solving, which are crucial to the practice of law. He noted that the integration of AI in the legal domain is likely to follow a similar trajectory, enhancing efficiency without compromising the core competencies that define the legal profession.
“I firmly believe that the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in legal practice will mirror the previous technological transitions embraced by lawyers. It will serve to augment our efficiency while preserving the foundational skills essential to our profession,” remarked CJI Chandrachud.
However, the Chief Justice also issued a cautionary note regarding the application of AI, stressing that while it is well-suited for automatable tasks, areas requiring creativity and sophisticated legal reasoning should remain within the domain of human expertise. He identified routine tasks such as case law research, the drafting and filing of pleadings, contract review, and due diligence as prime candidates for automation through AI. By delegating these tasks to AI, lawyers can allocate more time to high-impact activities like crafting legal strategies, formulating innovative arguments, and providing personalized client services.
“While AI can effectively handle routine legal tasks, sophisticated legal argumentation remains a uniquely human skill. By offloading repetitive tasks such as case law research, document drafting, and due diligence to AI, lawyers gain more time and mental bandwidth to focus on higher-value activities,” CJI Chandrachud elaborated.
The event, attended by esteemed members of the judiciary including Supreme Court judges Justice Surya Kant and Justice Rajesh Bindal, as well as Chief Justices of various High Courts and judges from the Punjab & Haryana High Court, provided a platform for discussing the integration of technology in the judicial process. The Chief Justice emphasized that technology in the legal system is not merely a contemporary trend but is deeply intertwined with the core values of the Indian republic.
“Technology as a tool for accessing justice is not just a modern convenience; it is fundamentally linked to the principles of transparency, democracy, and equitable access to justice,” CJI Chandrachud asserted.
He cited the live streaming of court proceedings and the adoption of virtual hearings as prime examples of how technology has enhanced transparency in the judicial system. “This technological shift has significantly increased transparency and accountability for all stakeholders—litigants, lawyers, and the public. With hybrid hearings, lawyers can now appear before courts across the country, ensuring that the best legal representation is accessible to all citizens. Moreover, litigants can directly engage with their cases by logging into their hearings and witnessing the proceedings firsthand,” he added.
Further, the Chief Justice highlighted the use of AI-generated transcripts of arguments before the Constitutional Bench in the Supreme Court as a valuable resource for lawyers, researchers, and academics. These transcripts not only assist in crafting judgments but also provide future generations with a detailed understanding of the legal reasoning behind landmark decisions.
“I have personally found these transcripts to be invaluable when drafting judgments on complex legal issues. Revisiting these records allows me to better appreciate the nuances of the arguments presented before the Court. In the future, these recordings will offer a comprehensive perspective on the legal minds that shaped our decisions, enhancing the quality of our jurisprudence,” the Chief Justice explained.
Moreover, the Chief Justice noted the role of technology in bridging linguistic barriers within India’s diverse legal landscape. He highlighted the Supreme Court’s use of the Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS), an AI-driven tool that translates judgments and orders into regional languages. This initiative aims to make the judiciary more accessible to people across different linguistic backgrounds, particularly in higher courts where English is predominantly used.
“Technology has emerged as a powerful enabler in overcoming linguistic challenges. Through the SUVAS initiative, we are actively working to translate Supreme Court judgments into all scheduled languages, making them accessible to a broader audience,” CJI Chandrachud stated.
In closing, the Chief Justice extended his best wishes for a fruitful conference, expressing hope that the discussions would inspire meaningful connections, fresh ideas, and tangible progress in the pursuit of justice. “I am confident that my colleagues from the Supreme Court will return with a wealth of ideas to implement in our courts. May this conference spark meaningful connections, ignite fresh ideas, and drive progress in our shared pursuit of justice,” he concluded.
