3 weeks ago
14
AI is emerging as an administrative tool in India’s judiciary, enhancing accessibility and streamlining legal processes. From real-time transcriptions of bench hearings to multilingual translations of judgments, AI-powered tools are trying to bridge gaps in language accessibility in the judicial system.
These tools now help detect procedural defects in case filings, potentially reducing the backlog of pending cases. The Supreme Court of India confirmed its integration of AI into administrative functions and remains firm in its stance—AI has no role in judicial decision-making.
Increased Accessibility with AI-Powered Translations
As a multicultural nation, one of the biggest challenges in India’s legal system has been language accessibility. A significant portion of Supreme Court judgments are delivered in English, making it difficult for non-English-speaking litigants to fully comprehend their cases. To address this, the Supreme Court, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), has deployed AI-powered translation tools that convert judgments into 18 Indian vernacular languages. These translated judgements are accessible through the eSCR portal.
However, concerns remain about the accuracy of these translations. Legal language is intricate, and even minor errors in interpretation could significantly impact the understanding of a case.
In a conversation with AIM, Meghna Mital, a legal expert, emphasised the need for a detailed study before fully relying on AI translations in the judiciary.
“Whether translation is done by AI or by a human, the chances of mistakes and mishaps cannot be neglected,” she said. “I have had personal experiences where legal jargon has been missed. There have been instances where we worked on pieces translated by someone completely unrelated to the legal profession.”
Advocate Kuriakose Varghese, a lawyer practicing in the Supreme Court, shared similar concerns. “As lawyers, we argue in English and the verdict is passed in the same language. However, when judgments are translated into vernacular languages, many do not fully appreciate the sophisticated arguments that took place in the courtroom.”
“An accurate translation is an impossibility; rather, it is an approximation. Law itself is a language, even when expressed in English, due to the specific nomenclature used by legal professionals. When a judge signs a judgment, they sign the English version, not the translated one. Here, the translator holds considerable power over the interpretation of words,” Varghese added.
Addressing Procedural Delays with AI-Powered Defect Detection
The Indian judicial system has long struggled with case backlogs. As of February 2025, over 80,000 cases were pending before the Supreme Court alone. The Registry of the Supreme Court has partnered with IIT Madras to develop AI-powered defect detection tools. These tools, integrated into the court’s electronic filing system, identify missing documents, incomplete submissions, and other procedural lapses before a case even reaches the courtroom.
A prototype has already been shared with 200 Advocates-on-Record (AOR) to gather feedback. If successful, this system could significantly reduce time-consuming procedural delays, allowing courts to focus on substantive hearings rather than paperwork errors.
The Supreme Court Portal Assistance in Court Efficiency (SUPACE), an AI tool under development, is designed to assist judges in case research by analysing precedents, summarising case histories, and understanding case facts. However, its deployment remains in the experimental stage.
While AI-powered tools have improved efficiency in case management and accessibility, challenges such as data security, transparency and AI model training remain crucial in ensuring AI aids the legal system without undermining judicial integrity.
Advocate Varghese further stressed that while AI is helping fast-track case filings and court management, its complete implementation will take time. “The intention of translation is good, but what gets translated and how it gets translated is the real issue. Access to accurate translation is essential, and it’s only a matter of time before we see how AI translation models evolve.”
The effectiveness of AI translations, legal research tools and case management systems will continue to be scrutinised.
