By B S Makar, Advocate
Founder, B S Makar Advocates and Solicitors
Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh | www.makarlaws.com | +91-9878131111
Introduction
India’s justice system is known for its commitment to fairness and constitutional values—but it also faces serious challenges: pendency of cases, outdated processes, lack of accessibility, and overburdened courts. With over 5 crore pending cases (as of 2025), the need for technological transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) is not a luxury—it is a necessity.
1. The Burden of Pendency: A Digital Cure?
The Indian judiciary is overwhelmed. Even Supreme Court judges have publicly expressed concern about the rising pendency. Traditional systems of manual filing, physical hearings, and limited digitization are unable to keep up with the rising demand for justice.
AI and Technology can help by:
- Automating routine case listings and adjournments
- Predicting probable timelines for case resolution
- Prioritizing urgent or time-sensitive matters using smart algorithms
2. E-Courts and Virtual Hearings: A New Norm
The pandemic made virtual court hearings a reality—and a necessity. But these systems must now evolve into permanent digital infrastructure.
Benefits of AI-powered E-Courts:
- Reduce the need for physical presence, saving time and cost
- Allow better access for litigants from remote areas
- Help in managing records, evidence, and legal documents digitally
3. Smart Legal Research and Judgement Drafting
Lawyers and judges spend hours manually researching case laws and precedents. AI tools like legal chatbots and NLP-based research engines can revolutionize this process.
Impact:
- Faster identification of relevant judgments
- AI-assisted drafting of legal documents and pleadings
- Consistency and accuracy in case law citations
4. Transparency and Accountability
One major concern in the justice system is lack of transparency in adjournments, delays, and file movement.
How AI can improve transparency:
- Generate real-time dashboards for case progress
- Track court-wise and judge-wise disposal rates
- Detect irregular patterns or misuse of adjournments
5. Legal Aid and Access to Justice
Millions of Indians cannot afford a lawyer. AI-based legal assistants and multilingual legal chatbots can democratize access to justice.
Examples:
- A farmer in Bihar can ask a bot in Hindi about land dispute laws
- A daily wager in Tamil Nadu can get guidance on labour rights without paying hefty legal fees
6. Fraud Detection and Case Analysis
AI can also help the judiciary and police system detect fraud patterns in financial disputes, insurance scams, and cyber crimes.
AI can assist in:
- Analyzing evidence faster using forensic algorithms
- Detecting forged documents using image recognition
- Identifying links between multiple criminal cases or scams
7. Judicial Training and Predictive Analytics
AI tools can assist in judicial training and offer data-driven insights to judges and advocates.
For instance:
- An AI tool can show how similar cases were decided in the past
- Judges can use predictive tools to forecast the impact of their decisions
Challenges and Considerations
While the benefits are immense, careful implementation is key. Challenges include:
- Ensuring data privacy and security
- Avoiding algorithmic bias
- Ensuring AI tools assist—not replace—human judges
- Training lawyers and judges in tech usage
Conclusion: The Way Forward
The Indian justice system cannot afford to remain stuck in the past. By integrating technology and AI, we can make justice:
- Faster
- More accessible
- Transparent
- Fairer to all citizens
As legal professionals, it’s our duty to embrace innovation and advocate for judicial reforms powered by technology.
About the Author
B S Makar, Advocate
Founder – B S Makar Advocates and Solicitors
Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh
📞 +91-9878131111 | 🌐 www.makarlaws.com
We specialize in modern legal solutions, combining traditional expertise with digital innovation. Our firm is committed to making law accessible and efficient for the people of India.
