Use of technology has over the years revolutionised the judicial system and the efficient running of courts and tribunals across the country. Asserting that technology is deeply intertwined with the foundations of the Republic, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Saturday said that use of technology has not only made courts more accountable and responsive but also brought them closer to the people.
Technology as a tool for accessing justice is not just a modern convenience or a trendy topic. It is deeply intertwined with the foundations of our republic, the Chief Justice said. (PTI file photo)
The Chief Justice was the chief guest at a three-day national conference on “Current Status and Future Direction of Technology in Indian Courts” that began at the Judicial Academy, Chandigarh on Saturday. Justices Surya Kant and Rajesh Bindal of the Supreme Court were the guests of honor.
“Technology as a means of access to justice is not simply a modern convenience or a trendy topic. Technology is deeply intertwined with the foundations of our republic. Thus, the use of technology is intrinsically linked to the values of transparency, democracy and fair access to justice that are the cornerstones of our republic,” the Chief Justice said.
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Reflecting on his past experience as chairman of the Supreme Court's Electronics Committee, the Chief Justice said he has closely followed the evolution of the debate on the issue over the past four years. “It has progressed from a debate recognising the need for information technology to an exploration of its complexities and best practices,” he said.
“Today, technology is recognised as a vital catalyst for access to justice. This paradigm shift is indeed encouraging,” he said, adding that the debate is no longer whether technology should be adopted but how it can be best utilised.
“I still remember when I was a young judge in the Mumbai High Court, the then Chief Justice VN Khare held a meeting on technology. There were about 20 judges and everyone had a desktop in front of them. They were trying really hard to teach us how to open it. Most of the Chief Justices and judges' desktops were blank. Nobody even knew how to open it,” he said. “That was probably around 2004 and that's where we started. We have changed a lot in these last few years, both as an organisation and as individuals!”
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The Chief Justice of India added that the facility of live streaming of cases and hybrid hearings are prime examples of technology that will enhance transparency in our judicial system. “Virtual hearings are no longer an exception born out of the necessity of the Covid-19 pandemic but have become standard practice in the judicial system across the country, from the Supreme Court to all courts,” he said.
“In the last four years, the Supreme Court has heard over 800,000 cases through video conferencing and hybrid gearing facilities. This shift will enhance transparency and accountability to all stakeholders – litigants, lawyers and the public. Hybrid will allow lawyers to appear in courts across the country and ensure the public has access to the best legal representation,” he said.
“Litigants can also log in to hearings and witness the proceedings first hand. They are no longer dependent on the version of the hearings narrated by mediators or lawyers. This increased openness also holds us judges accountable for our words, actions and attitudes. In many ways, the embrace of technology has transformed a theoretical court system into a practical reality,” the Chief Justice said.
“Innovative initiatives like National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) have revolutionised transparency in the judicial system. With just a few clicks, it provides real-time data on case pendency, initiation rate and disposal rate,” the Chief Justice said and urged Chief Justices to avail the NJDG facility.
