AI Tools for Judiciary: Legal Research Assistant and Digital Courts 2.1
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Ministry of Law and Justice announced in Lok Sabha that NIC and e-Courts CoE have developed AI-based tools to assist judges, marking a significant step in integrating AI into the judiciary. This is part of the e-Courts Mission Mode Project Phase III, which allocates funds for emerging technologies.
Background
The e-Courts Project is implemented by the Department of Justice in coordination with the e-Committee of the Supreme Court under the National e-Governance Plan. Phase III focuses on enhancing judicial efficiency through AI and other emerging technologies.
Key facts
NIC's AI Division and e-Courts Centre of Excellence (CoE) developed an AI-based tool called Legal Research Analysis Assistant to assist judges in legal research and document analysis.
Another AI-based tool, Digital Courts 2.1, was developed by the e-Courts CoE in Pune as an integrated digital case management platform.
Digital Courts 2.1 provides a single-window interface for case information and includes AI-enabled features like voice-to-text transcription and translation to help judges and judicial officers write orders and judgments.
Both tools are in the initial testing phase.
The operational framework for adopting AI-based solutions will be determined according to business rules and policies of the Supreme Court and respective High Courts.
An amount of ₹53.57 crore has been allocated under the 'future technological advancements' component for Phase III of the e-Courts Project.
The information was given by Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
The e-Courts Project is implemented under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).
Prelims pointers
- e-Courts Mission Mode Project
- National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
- Phase III of e-Courts Project
- ₹53.57 crore allocation
- NIC (National Informatics Centre)
- e-Committee of Supreme Court
- Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Pune
- Legal Research Analysis Assistant
- Digital Courts 2.1
- Arjun Ram Meghwal
Mains angles
- GS2: Role of technology in judicial reforms and access to justice
- GS3: E-governance and use of AI in public service delivery
- GS2: Challenges and opportunities in integrating AI in judiciary, including data privacy and ethical concerns