In a significant step towards integrating technology into the Indian judicial system, the Kerala High Court has introduced a pioneering document titled ‘Policy Regarding the Use of AI Tools in District Judiciary’. This is the first instance of any Indian High Court formulating specific guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in judicial functions. The policy promotes responsible and limited use of AI, focusing mainly on administrative tasks, amid a growing national push to leverage technology to reduce case backlogs and enhance judicial efficiency.
Core Principles of the AI Policy
The policy is built around four guiding principles:
- Transparency
- Fairness
- Accountability
- Confidentiality
These principles aim to ensure the ethical and secure deployment of AI tools within the judiciary. The policy applies to all members of the district judiciary, including judges, clerks, interns, and court staff, and governs AI usage on both personal and government devices to ensure consistent and uniform application.
Scope and Restrictions
AI tools are categorized into general and approved tools. Only those AI applications that have been explicitly sanctioned by the Kerala High Court or the Supreme Court of India may be used for court-related tasks.
The policy strictly prohibits the use of AI for drafting legal judgments, orders, or findings. While AI may be used to translate documents, the output must be verified by a judge or a certified translator. Similarly, AI-assisted legal research, such as retrieving case citations, must be reviewed by a designated individual to prevent reliance on inaccurate information.
Permitted Use Cases
Permissible applications of AI are limited to administrative functions such as:
- Case scheduling
- Workflow and docket management
Even in these areas, AI usage must be documented and supervised. If errors are detected in AI-generated outputs, they must be reported immediately to the Principal District Court, which will forward the matter to the High Court’s IT department for further review. This mechanism supports continuous improvement and performance monitoring of AI tools.
Training and Compliance Framework
To support responsible use, judicial officers and staff will undergo comprehensive training on both the technical and ethical dimensions of AI. The policy also provides for strict disciplinary action against violations, reinforcing the need to maintain judicial integrity and prevent overdependence on AI—especially where human discretion and legal interpretation are essential.
National Context and Broader Implications
This policy aligns with a 2025 directive from the Government of India encouraging the use of AI to address judicial delays. However, it also acknowledges the limitations and risks of emerging technologies. For instance, the Karnataka High Court recently raised concerns over AI hallucinations—instances where AI tools generate factually incorrect or misleading content. Judicial experts have warned that excessive reliance on AI may erode the profession’s intellectual depth and reasoning skills.
Previously, the Punjab and Haryana High Court consulted ChatGPT for comparative legal research but explicitly stated that AI-generated content cannot be considered binding in legal decisions.