Supreme Court of India Embraces AI for Enhanced Access to Justice
The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step towards improving access to justice by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) language technology into its operations. This initiative aims to translate judicial documents, enhance legal research, and automate various processes, ultimately making the legal system more efficient and accessible to all.
Since February 2023, AI has been actively used to transcribe oral arguments in Constitution Bench matters and translate key Supreme Court and High Court judgments into vernacular languages. A dedicated committee, headed by a Supreme Court judge, oversees this initiative and works closely with sub-committees of High Courts to expedite the translation process.
Eight High Courts have already launched e-High Court Reports (e-HCR), containing translated judgments, with others in the process of following suit. The AI Committees have also urged High Courts to request their respective state governments to translate all central and state legislation, rules, and regulations into regional languages, making them accessible on state websites.
This emphasis on translation aligns with the principle of "access to justice" enshrined in the Constitution of India. By making legal documents and information available in multiple languages, the Supreme Court aims to bridge the language barrier and empower citizens to understand and engage with the legal system.
As of August 5th, AI-powered translation has yielded impressive results. Over 36,000 Supreme Court judgments have been translated into Hindi, and over 17,000 judgments have been translated into 16 other regional languages. These translations are readily accessible on the e-SCR portal, demonstrating the project's success in achieving its goals without dedicated funding.
The Supreme Court's embrace of AI language technology marks a significant step forward in its commitment to providing equal access to justice for all citizens. This initiative holds the potential to transform the legal landscape in India, making it more inclusive and efficient for everyone.