It is bizarre and surprising to learn that Advocates of Allahabad High Court are up in arms over the e-filing initiative of the High Court from all districts of Uttar Pradesh. It is beyond any logic that when the whole world is moving with science and technology, why lawyers are opposed to this welcome decision. It is also learnt that a Special Leave Petition (SLP) has also been filed in the Supreme Court against the introduction of e-filing.
It hardly needs to be stated that the e-filing system in High Courts in India offers several benefits that streamline the legal process and make it more accessible. The key advantages are:
Time and Cost Efficiency: E-filing saves significant time and money for both advocates and clients by eliminating the need to physically visit the court for filing documents.
Convenience: It allows for the online submission of cases and documents, making the process more convenient and less time-consuming.
Reduced Physical Meetings: The need for in-person meetings between clients and advocates can be reduced, as much of the communication and document exchange can happen online.
Automatic Digitization: As documents are filed electronically, they are automatically digitized, which helps in creating a more efficient record-keeping system.
Environmental Impact: By reducing the reliance on paper, e-filing has a positive impact on the environment.
Accessibility: The system is designed to be bilingual (English and local languages), which makes it accessible to a wider group of advocates and litigants.
Portfolio Management: Litigants and advocates can manage their cases more effectively with an online portfolio and planner tools provided by the e-filing system.
Online Payments: Court fees and other payments can be made online, which adds to the convenience and efficiency of the process.
E-filing represents a significant step towards modernizing the judiciary and making the legal process more efficient and user-friendly.
In this regard, the Supreme Court in general and the Chief Justice in particular deserve kudos for the use of greater technology including the increased use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country. The Advocates are considered to be forward-looking persons in society and if they behave in such a manner, then it can only be condemned and chastised.
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Indian courts is an evolving area, with several applications being explored and implemented to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system. Here are some key points on the use of AI in Indian courts:
AI in Legal Research and Administration: AI is currently being used for tasks like automated contract review, legal research, and transcription services. It helps in processing information and making it available to judges for decisions.
Translation Services: The Supreme Court of India uses an AI tool called SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) for translating legal documents between English and vernacular languages.
Case Analysis: In some instances, AI tools like ChatGPT have been used to provide a wider perspective on legal matters, such as in the case of Jaswinder Singh v. State of Punjab, where the Punjab & Haryana High Court sought input from ChatGPT for a bail petition.
Transcription of Hearings: The Supreme Court has utilized AI for the live transcription of proceedings, which aids in streamlining the administration of justice and could significantly benefit the district judiciary with increased efficiency.
Future Prospects: There is potential for AI to be used for case prioritization, categorization, scheduling, docket management, and even predicting outcomes based on records in the future.
It’s important to note that while AI can assist in various administrative and research tasks, it does not participate in the court’s decision-making process. The human element remains crucial, especially in matters that involve complex legal reasoning and interpretation of laws. Integrating AI in the judiciary aims to complement the work of legal professionals, not replace it.