Improving the Indian Judiciary – a Thought Experiment

Why does justice in India take forever? Why does it cost so much? Isn’t justice supposed to be for everyone?

Young Lawyer: Dr. Malpani, that’s the biggest problem with our judiciary! The system is drowning in cases, and it takes decades to get a verdict. Courts are overburdened, litigation is expensive, and the average citizen just doesn’t have the time or money to fight a case.

Dr. Malpani: Exactly! Justice delayed is justice denied. And who benefits from this mess?

Young Lawyer: The rich and the powerful, of course! They can afford to hire the best lawyers, drag cases out for years, and intimidate the weaker party into giving up. The common man, meanwhile, gets stuck in an endless loop of hearings, adjournments, and legal fees.

Dr. Malpani: The result? People lose faith in the judiciary. They believe it’s biased, corrupt, and out of their reach. And yet, we have the technology today to fix this!

Young Lawyer: Technology? You mean like digitizing case records?

Dr. Malpani: That’s already routine, as are virtual hearings, and I am glad the Courts are open to using technology to help citizens get access to justice. But I am talking about  a real game-changer here —Artificial Intelligence. Imagine an Indian Judicial AI Engine, trained on all Indian laws, case laws, and past judgments from the Supreme Court and High Courts. This Generative AI engine would be constantly updated and act as a fair, transparent, and impartial legal assistant.

Young Lawyer: That sounds futuristic, but how exactly would it help?

Dr. Malpani: In multiple ways. First, it could process the backlog of pending cases in record time. Judges could use it to quickly understand case histories, past rulings, and legal precedents—saving months, even years, of work. The AI could even suggest fair, well-reasoned verdicts based on legal logic, which the judge could review and refine. Imagine clearing the backlog within a year!

Young Lawyer: That’s revolutionary! But what about new cases? The system is constantly getting flooded with fresh litigation.

Dr. Malpani: That’s where it gets even more interesting. Before even filing a case, citizens could consult this AI engine. They could ask: What is the likely judgment in my case? What does the law say? If they see they have little chance of winning, they might choose to settle out of court instead of wasting time and money. And the engine would be able to “talk” to them in their local language, thus empowering the average citizen who may not be fluent in English.

Young Lawyer: That could reduce frivolous cases significantly! But not all disputes can be settled out of court. What about arbitration?

Dr. Malpani: AI can help there too! Arbitrators could use the AI’s legal reasoning to guide settlements, showing both parties what a court is likely to decide. This would make arbitration faster, fairer, and more acceptable to both sides.

Young Lawyer: And I suppose even judges themselves could benefit?

Dr. Malpani: Absolutely! AI would serve as an intelligent legal intern, summarizing case files, analyzing arguments, and suggesting balanced verdicts. Judges wouldn’t be replacing their judgment with AI, but rather augmenting it—improving their efficiency and accuracy.

Young Lawyer: This sounds incredible! But is this even possible with today’s technology?

Dr. Malpani: Of course! The technology already exists. Some examples include: https://www.casemine.com/chat, https://lexmachina.com/, https://premonition.ai/. It’s also heartening that the Supreme Court is using AI tools such as SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) , an AI translation service that specializes in bridging language gaps; and SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency). The real question is: Does the government have the will to implement it? Other countries are already experimenting with AI in legal systems. If India truly wants to reform its judiciary, this is the way forward.

Young Lawyer: But won’t the legal fraternity resist this change? Many lawyers thrive on lengthy court battles.

Dr. Malpani: Some will resist, but honest lawyers—those who want to deliver real justice—will welcome this. The judiciary is meant to serve the people, not the lawyers. If AI can make justice faster, cheaper, and more accessible, we must embrace it.

Young Lawyer: You’re right. The judiciary must evolve, or it will collapse under its own weight. The future is clear—we need AI-powered legal reform.

Dr. Malpani: Exactly! Justice must be fair, fast, and affordable. We have the means—now, we just need the courage to act. The time to reform the judiciary is now!

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