Why in NEWS?

• In July 2025, the Kerala High Court released India’s first official policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in district courts.
• The guidelines aim to improve efficiency while ensuring safeguards against risks like errors, bias, and misuse.

Key Concepts for Clarity

Artificial Intelligence in Judiciary

• Use of AI tools for translations, transcriptions, legal research, and defect identification.
• Static Points:
  • Aims to reduce case pendency (over 5 crore cases in India).
  • Not a replacement for judges; only an assistive tool.
  • Already being tested in transcription of oral arguments.

AI Hallucination

• When AI produces false or fabricated outputs.
• Static Points:
  • Example: “Leave granted” translated as “holiday approved.”
  • LLMs may invent fake case laws/citations.
  • Considered a feature, not a bug → needs human oversight.

Search Engine Bias in Legal Research

• AI may push search results based on user patterns.
• Static Points:
  • Can hide or “invisibilise” relevant precedents.
  • Risk of skewed judgments if lawyers rely only on AI.

eCourts Project Phase III

• Supreme Court-led digital court mission.
• Static Points:
  • Envisions Technology Offices in courts.
  • To guide procurement, selection, and monitoring of AI tools.
  • Aims at digital transformation with checks and balances.

News Details

Q: Why did the Kerala HC issue AI guidelines?
A: To ensure AI enhances efficiency without undermining justice. The main reasons:

• Preventing errors in translations and transcriptions.
• Ensuring litigants know when AI is used.
• Building AI literacy among judges and lawyers.
• Creating procurement safeguards before adoption.

Q: What are the key risks of AI in courts?
A: Risks include:

• Wrong translations & transcription mistakes.
• Hallucinations → AI inventing fake information.
• Bias in legal research from search algorithms.
• Dependence on vendor tools without safeguards.
• Privacy concerns around sensitive case data.

Q: What steps are suggested for safe adoption?
A: Experts recommend:

• Training programmes on AI literacy for judges, lawyers, staff.
• Transparency: litigants must know if AI is used.
• Opt-out rights for litigants worried about AI errors.
• Procurement frameworks → reliability, data safety, explainability.
• Setting up Technology Offices under eCourts Phase III.

In a Nutshell (Memory Code)

Memory Code: “TROOP”

• T → Transparency for litigants
• R → Risk management (hallucinations, bias)
• O → Opt-out rights for litigants
• O → Oversight by humans & tech offices
• P → Procurement safeguards

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With reference to AI in Judiciary, consider the following statements:

1. The Kerala High Court is the first in India to publish guidelines on AI use in courts.
2. AI hallucinations are considered a correctable bug that can be permanently eliminated.
3. eCourts Phase III recommends the creation of Technology Offices to help in digital adoption.

Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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Q2. Which of the following are potential risks of using AI in courtrooms?

1. Search engine bias in legal research.
2. Loss of human judgment in adjudication.
3. Privacy concerns regarding sensitive data.

Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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Q3. Consider the following with respect to the eCourts Project:

1. It is implemented by the Supreme Court’s e-Committee.
2. Phase III of the project recommends creating Technology Offices in courts.
3. It exclusively focuses on using AI for judgment writing.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Mains Practice

Q. Discuss the potential of Artificial Intelligence in reducing judicial pendency in India. What are the ethical and constitutional challenges involved in its adoption?

Answers

Qn	Answer	Explanation
1	(a)	Statement 2 is wrong → hallucinations are a feature, not a removable bug.
2	(d)	All three (bias, judgment loss, privacy concerns) are risks.
3	(a)	eCourts Phase III is wider than judgment writing; focus is on digitization & tech offices.