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Showing posts with the label Legal Innovation

24x7 Kerala ON Court: A Scalable Model for Clearing India’s Judicial Backlog

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Introduction: India’s First 24x7 Digital Court India’s justice system has long struggled with a massive judicial backlog, much of which arises from repetitive and high-volume cases. In November 2024, Kerala’s Kollam district launched the country’s first 24x7 Open and Networked (ON) Court , inaugurated by the current Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai. Designed as a digital-first judicial institution, the ON Court aims to simplify access to justice, speed up case disposal, improve communication between stakeholders, and create a model that can be replicated across India. One year later, the pilot project shows promising outcomes in efficiency, transparency, and user satisfaction. Origins of the ON Court Model Internal Judicial Brainstorming The idea originated within the Supreme Court of India and the Kerala High Court’s internal brainstorming sessions on modernising justice delivery. The goal was not merely digitisation but a complete restructuring of how courts function. The co...

Supreme Court’s Initiative to Fix Justice Lost in Translation: Lawyers to Double as Translators

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Introduction: A Novel Step Toward Linguistic Precision in Justice In a landmark administrative reform, the Supreme Court of India has launched an unprecedented initiative to address one of the judiciary’s long-standing challenges — the poor quality of English translations of judicial records originally written in Indian languages . Recognising the direct impact of inaccurate translations on the dispensation of justice, the apex court has decided to engage practising lawyers as translators . This move seeks to combine legal acumen with linguistic accuracy , ensuring that translations of pleadings, judgments, and other documents preserve the “true meaning and spirit” of the original records. Background: The Problem of Inaccurate Judicial Translations The problem of inaccurate translations has persisted for decades in the Indian judicial system. Many trial court records, particularly from lower courts in states where proceedings are conducted in regional languages, reach the Supreme...

"Time to Build Strong Culture of Commercial Arbitration": CJI Chandrachud

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"Time to Build Strong Culture of Commercial Arbitration" - CJI Chandrachud Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasized the need for India to develop a robust culture of commercial arbitration. Delivering his address at the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom on Thursday evening, CJI Chandrachud highlighted the evolution of arbitration from a supplementary dispute resolution mechanism to a primary choice for commercial entities worldwide. He stressed that setting up effective arbitration institutions can significantly boost its practice in the Global South. Evolution and Importance of Commercial Arbitration Chief Justice Chandrachud noted that arbitration has evolved significantly, becoming the primary dispute resolution mechanism for commercial entities globally. "I firmly believe that now is the time for countries such as India to step up to the occasion to create and promote a culture of commercial arbitration. The robust institutionalization of arbitration will f...

Supreme Court's Two-Day Conference on Technology and Judicial Dialogue with Singapore

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Supreme Court's Two-Day Conference on Technology and Judicial Dialogue with Singapore Setting the Stage for Innovation The Supreme Court of India is organizing a two-day conference on Technology and Dialogue between the Supreme Courts of India and Singapore, scheduled for April 13 and 14, 2024. The conference aims to explore the intersection of technology and the legal system, focusing on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the judiciary. Key Participants and Discussions Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Chief Justice of Singapore Justice Sundaresh Menon will lead the conference, joined by judges, jurists, and experts. Panel discussions will cover various topics related to AI, including its implications for the legal system, its role in court proceedings and judicial training, improving access to justice, ethical considerations, and future trends in AI. Platform for Insight Sharing The conference provides a platform for sharing insights, best prac...