The Chief Justice of India (CJI) recently launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based portal, ‘SUPACE’ in the judicial system. This tool aims to aid judges with legal research and stands for Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency. SUPACE is a follow up from the E-Courts Project which was conceived from the “National Policy and Action Plan for Implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Indian Judiciary – 2005” presented by the e-Committee of the Supreme Court.
Key Features of SUPACE
SUPACE is designed to assemble relevant facts and laws, making these readily accessible to a judge. It is not programmed to make decisions, rather, its functions are to process and present facts to assist judges in decision making. In its initial stages, the system will be experimentally employed by judges of the Bombay and Delhi High Courts, particularly those dealing with criminal matters.
Significance of SUPACE in the Judiciary
SUPACE presents several benefits to the judiciary as it can produce results tailored to the requirements of each case and aligned with the judge’s thought process. This customization has the potential to save time and reduce backlogs in court cases. AI offers a more streamlined, cost-effective, and time-bound approach to upholding the fundamental right of access to justice. By transforming service delivery into a transparent and cost-efficient mechanism, SUPACE can enhance the overall efficiency of the judiciary.
Challenges Faced by SUPACE
One significant concern surrounding SUPACE’s introduction is job redundancy. As SUPACE is designed to replicate human mental processes but with greater efficiency and methodicalness, there is anxiety over potential unemployment.
E-Courts Project
The E-Courts Project was envisioned to transform the Indian Judiciary through ICT enablement of courts. Supervised and funded by the Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, this initiative is a nationwide project for District Courts across India.
Objectives of the E-Courts Project
The overarching aim of the project is to provide efficient and time-bound citizen-centric service delivery. This involves developing, installing, and implementing decision support systems in courts and automating processes to enhance transparency and information accessibility. The project endeavors to boost judicial productivity in quality and quantity, making the justice delivery system more affordable, accessible, cost-effective, reliable, and transparent.