Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Sunday highlighted the dual role of technology in the justice delivery system, calling it both a tool for inclusion and a potential source of new divides..He said that unequal access to internet connectivity, devices and digital literacy can lead to the exclusion of marginalised communities who already face barriers to justice."For technology to truly serve justice, accessibility and inclusion must be foundational to its design," the CJI said.Digital tools must assist, not replace, judicial reasoning, he added. “Technology must enhance rather than replace judicial functions, particularly reasoned decision-making and individual case assessment,” the CJI opined..He was speaking at the University of Cambridge on the issue of 'Role of Technology to Improve Access to Justice'..In his address, CJI Gavai called for policy frameworks to govern technology-led changes in courts. He underlined that standards must be developed for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in courts. “No revolution in the justice delivery mechanism can come without policy interventions,” he said. .CJI Gavai also cautioned against blind trust in automated legal tools, stressing the need for algorithmic transparency and accountability. Digital integration has reduced delays and improved monitoring, but these advances must be guided by constitutional values, he added. "The burden falls squarely on us to cleanse and strengthen our systems before we can rightfully expect technology to serve justice," he stated. .CJI Gavai further stated that video conferencing has democratised access to courts by allowing lawyers from remote regions to appear before the Supreme Court.“A lawyer practicing in rural Bihar or rural Maharashtra can now appear before the Supreme Court without the expense and time of travelling to Delhi,” he said.He also highlighted initiatives like the Supreme Court’s Vidhik Anuvaad Software (SUVAS), which translates legal documents into nine regional languages, and the National Judicial Data Grid, which now covers over 23 crore cases and 22 crore court orders.Justice Gavai concluded by calling on the judiciary and academic institutions to work together in shaping a just and inclusive digital legal framework.
