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The impact that has been created by Information Technology in all walks of life today is unprecedented. There was a time not very long ago when the use of terms like “artificial intelligence”, “video conferencing” etc. seemed unthinkable but thanks to the rapid growth in the arena of Information Technology, all this has become a reality we are all living in, so much so, that we cannot imagine our existence without the presence of technology in it. Information Technology (IT) includes hardware and software and a system of collecting, creating, processing, and dissemination of data which becomes possible through various devices.
At present we are facing a huge pandemic, which has made known the value and necessity of technology to everyone, it has become the most important part of life, almost like an indispensable limb.
In the judicial system also its importance is not unknown to anyone. From the 90s itself, the process of computerizing the processes of the court started in the Supreme Court, and with the help of this system the cases could be disposed of easily and in a timely manner, the chances of errors due to human involvement also decreased.
In the legal profession as well, the IT has made carrying out research much easier, with all the decisions made by the Courts being available online and the accessibility to the latest laws and amendments, now the lawyers find themselves at a place where they can update themselves constantly and give sound advice to their clients. Our country is governed by a huge number of laws and without a sound system to have access to these laws their purpose would be defeated.
In the area of evidence also the scope of Information Technology has extended. Now the evidence can be presented through various mediums like texts, emails, voice notes, online transactions, hard drives, and videos, etc. In addition to this many new software's have been developed which can analyze the voice, handwriting, fingerprints, DNA and blood samples, etc.
Hearings are an important part of the judicial system and ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the courts have shifted to mediums like ‘Zoom’, ‘Skype’, ‘Vidyo’ and ‘Google Meet’ etc., and even during the lockdown induced by Corona Virus the Courts have been true to their goal of providing speedy justice with the help of Information Technology and thus they Courts have been able to hear some cases which needed urgent attention and also took suo moto cognizance in some.
Chief Justice of India SA Bobde has emphasized on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Indian Courts and said that there is a possibility that we might use AI for the purpose of preventing an undue delay in justice and he said this while outlining the number of pending cases in India. Although he also said that this won’t replace the human judges or human discretion.
However, at the Hangzhou Internet Court in China, the disputes relating to online transactions of sale of goods and services, copyright and trademark, trade disputes and e-commerce product liability claims are being heard by a black-robed AI judge, who interacts with litigants via video chat and the Court operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and within 38 days the cases are concluded with a verdict.
As it is famously said that ‘the justice delayed is justice denied’, the Information Technology can help in a number of ways so that the precious time of the courts is saved and it can be utilized in reducing the number of pending cases which is already soaring. The access to Information Technology at present has not seeped down to the lower levels of the judiciary and thus efforts should be made in this direction also so that justice becomes a reality and not a goal.
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