THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIEGENCE IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Author: Parnob Bhattacharya, Galgotiya University

“AI will not replace jobs, but it will change the nature of work”.  – Kai-Fu Lee (Taiwanese computer scientist)

ABSTRACT


With millions of cases seeking resolution at all court levels; the Indian judiciary system is facing a tremendous challenge as the number of pending cases grows. Justice has been delivered slowly as a result of this pressing issue and judge’s increasing workload; there has been a raising concern about the judicial system’s effectiveness. This article explores the transforming potential of Technology and artificial intelligence (AI) which is being used to address the complexities of India’s legal system. Artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate case settlement by automating boring tasks, improving decision-making, and simplifying litigation. The relationship between technology and the judiciary is examined in this discussion, with a focus on how artificial intelligence (AI) can be applied in courts to reduce the workload of the judges, accelerate case resolution, and enhance the efficiency of the Indian legal system.


INTRODUCTION:-
AI is no longer primarily a science fiction concept. It has emerged as a disruptive force in many sectors, including the judicial system. In India, where the legal system is dealing with a massive backlog of cases, AI offers a major opportunity to improve efficiency, accuracy, and access to justice.
It has already demonstrated its utility in a variety of fields, including Medical by delivering therapy and doing surgeries; then Logistics in the form of self-driving cars; and Advertising by analyzing consumer purchasing trends, and more. As a result, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in courts will help to secure a long-term and efficient judicial system. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled machines have the potential to revolutionize civil and criminal proceedings. It will help judges and lawyers by shortening the time required to complete various tasks at different stages of a trial.
Although it is still in its early phases, but various countries law firms and judiciaries are gradually incorporating AI into the legal system. It provides attorneys with cost-effective solutions by revealing legal faults in choices, assisting with drafting contracts, due diligence, and legal analytics, among other responsibilities. AI can reduce the court’s workload, particularly in instances involving minor violations, allowing human judges to focus on making decisions in more difficult matters.
The Indian legal system has experienced a modest shift in the rising use of technology, but it is also observed that attorneys still depend on their typical methods and techniques. This article deals with artificial intelligence and how it is used in the Indian legal system. It also throws light on how artificial intelligence has brought changes in the working of the Courts.
HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLEGENCE:-
When computer scientists started creating robots that could replicate human intelligence in the middle of the 20th century, the idea of artificial intelligence (AI) emerged. The formal beginning of AI research was the Dartmouth Conference in 1956. AI has evolved from a theoretical idea to real-world applications over the decades thanks to developments in computing power, algorithms, and data availability.

AI has being gradually incorporated into the legal sector in India. The creation of electronic case management systems and the digitalization of court documents marked the nation’s first push into legal technology. But only in the recent years, as the necessity to address the judicial process inefficiencies grown, the integration of AI has also accelerated.

THE ROLE OF A.I IN THE INDIAN LEGAL SYSTEM:-
Case Management and Predictive Analytics:-
In Indian courts, case administration is being revolutionized by AI-powered systems. Digital case files and internet access to court proceedings have been made possible by initiatives like the Government of India’s e-Courts Project. Building on this basis, artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to evaluate past evidence and forecast case outcomes, assisting litigants and attorneys in making well-informed choices. By offering insights into comparable precedents, predictive analytics can also help courts and speed up the decision-making process.
Legal Research and Document Review:-
Traditional legal research requires sorting through extensive legal texts, statutes, and decisions, which takes a lot of time. This procedure has been expedited by AI-powered systems such as Manupatra and SCC Online, which use Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms to swiftly obtain pertinent information. In addition to saving time, these technologies lower the possibility of mistakes, guaranteeing more thorough and accurate research.
Drafting Legal Documents:-
Contracts, wills, and other legal documents can be drafted with the use of AI-driven technologies and other software specialized to the legal industry. These technologies examine pre-existing templates using machine learning algorithms to produce papers that are error-free and consistent with the law.
Enhancing the access to Justice:-
With more than 40 million cases pending settlement, the Indian Judiciary faces an enormous problem. By enabling Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platforms, simplifying administrative tasks, and facilitating virtual hearings, artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly contribute to solving this problem. Initiatives like “Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software” (SUVAS), for example, use AI to translate court rulings into regional languages in real time, opening up legal information to a larger audience.
CHALLENGES IN INTEGRATING A.I IN INDIAN LEGAL SYSTEM:-
While the benefits of the A.I are undeniable, but its integration in the Indian Legal System also have some challenges:-
Data Security and Privacy:-  Sensitive information is frequently involved in court disputes. It is crucial to guarantee the security and privacy of data handled by AI systems.

Ethical concerns:-  Ethical Concerns: Accountability and transparency are two ethical issues brought up by the use of AI in decision-making. For example, Liability becomes complicated if an AI system predicts something incorrectly.

Lack of Standardization:- States and courts in India have separate legal systems, each with its own set of processes. One major problem is standardizing AI technologies to accommodate this variability.

Digital Divide:- Strong technology infrastructure and digital literacy are necessary for the adoption of AI, but both are not equally spread throughout India.


THE FUTURE OF A.I IN THE INDIAN LEGAL SYSTEM:-
AI in the Indian legal system has a bright future, as long as the obstacles are successfully overcome. The government, private sector, and judiciary working together may accelerate the adoption of AI-driven solutions. Some possible areas of development include:-
AI-Powered Virtual Courts:-  Without the need for physical presence, AI-powered virtual courts can handle common matters like traffic infractions and small claims. The strain on conventional courts may be greatly lessened as a result.

Advanced Legal Analytics:-  Policymakers may be able to identify systemic problems and carry out specific reforms with the aid of future AI systems that offer greater insights into legal patterns.


AI in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR):-  By identifying trends in disagreements and proposing fair solutions, AI can improve ADR procedures. This can lower litigation expenses and promote out-of-court settlements.

Turning the attention from revenue making to increased profits:-  We can observe that law firms have been concentrating more on boosting their profits in recent years. A careful examination of the situation reveals that there is growing competition across law firms and that the demand for legal services is static, both of which make it difficult to increase revenue. Thus, we can conclude that in the near future, law firms would prioritize increased profitability and margins over revenue generation.


CASE LAWS:-
Anil Kapoor vs Simply Life India & ORS:-  Delhi High Court restrained the misuse of the actor’s name, image, voice and other attributes of persona, in various AI tools and deep fakes.

ANI vs Open AI:-  In November 2024, Indian news agency Asian News International (ANI) filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging unauthorized use of its content for training AI models like ChatGPT.  ANI claimed that OpenAI utilized both publicly accessible and subscription-based content without proper licensing and that ChatGPT generated fabricated news stories attributed to ANI.
                                 
Arijit Singh vs AI Tools:-  The Bombay High Court granted an ad-interim injunction to protect Arijit Singh’s personality rights from AI tools that convert a person’s voice into a celebrity’s voice without their permission.

Jaswinder Singh vs State of Punjab:-  The judge noted that ChatGPT cannot be used to decide legal or factual issues in a court of law.


CONCLUSION


Presenting a useful, detailed understanding of AI and law was the main goal of this Article. In the way that humans currently perceive intelligence, artificial intelligence is neither magical nor intelligent. Rather, modern AI technology generates intelligent outcomes without requiring human intellect by using rules and patterns to make decisions that are helpful in particular and specific circumstances. However, the current state of AI technology has limitations. It performs poorly especially when it comes to managing completely unstructured or open-ended assignments, handling abstractions, interpreting meaning, and applying knowledge across activities. Rather, the majority of activities in which AI has shown promise are highly organized, with clear right and wrong responses as well as strong underlying patterns that algorithms can identify. Knowing the potential and limitations of current AI technology is essential to comprehending AI in relation to law. It helps to provide us with a realistic view of the areas where AI is most likely to affect the administration and practice of law.

FAQS


Will Artificial Intelligence replace the Lawyers?
-Technology has enhanced efficiency in the legal system, including lawyer’s contract writing, and legal research tools. However, no artificial intelligence software has attempted to replace lawyers. Instead, it improves job productivity and accuracy, as well as legal research and solution discovery. It is now more results-oriented. The legal profession relies heavily on analysis, decision-making, and representation, which are difficult to automate using technology. AI-based systems and software can save lawyers time, provide more accurate information, and make more authentic and result-oriented advice to clients. However, technology is unlikely to completely replace the role of lawyers.

Can AI predict the outcomes of cases in India?
-AI can analyze past judgments, legal arguments, and precedents to predict the likelihood of outcomes in specific cases. However, these predictions are probabilistic and depend on the quality of input data. They are not substitutes for judicial discretion.

What are some AI tools used in the Indian legal system?
-AI tools like SUPACE, legal research platforms (e.g., SCC Online, Manupatra), and case management software are commonly used. These tools focus on streamlining judicial and administrative tasks, improving legal research, and managing large-scale documentation.

What are the ethical concerns regarding AI in the Indian legal system?
-Ethical concerns include data privacy, potential biases in AI algorithms, lack of transparency in decision-making processes, and accountability for errors. It is critical to ensure that AI systems are fair, unbiased, and ethically employed.

Are there any regulations governing AI use in the Indian legal system?
-As of now, India does not have specific laws regulating AI in the legal system. However, discussions are underway to create frameworks for ethical AI usage, focusing on transparency, accountability, and data protection.

How does AI help in reducing case pendency in Indian courts?
-AI can help reduce case pendency by automating routine tasks, improving case allocation, and enabling quick access to relevant legal precedents. Tools like SUPACE aim to enhance judicial efficiency by assisting judges in managing their workload.

How is AI used in legal research in India?
-AI-powered legal research platforms analyze vast databases of legal documents, judgments, and statutes to provide precise and relevant results quickly. Tools like SUPACE (Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court Efficiency) use artificial intelligence to help judges efficiently access case law and legal precedents.

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