CJI DY Chandrachud stresses incorporating technology in judicial system at Shanghai Cooperation Organization meet

CJI DY Chandrachud stresses incorporating technology in judicial system at Shanghai Cooperation Organization meet

The aim was to foster effective legal coordination among the member states

The 18th meeting of the Chief Justices and Chairpersons of the Supreme Courts of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states was recently held under the presidency of the Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.

In the two-day joint interaction session, all SCO member states, two observer states (the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Belarus), the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), and the SCO Secretariat, took part physically, whereas Pakistan joined through video conference.

The speakers included CJI DY Chandrachud, Kazakhastan SC Chairman Aslambek Mergaliyev, Vice President of SC of China Jinghong Gao, Kyrgyz Republic SC Chairman Zamirbek Bazarbekov, Pakistan Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Russian Chief Justice Vyacheslav M. Lebedev, Belarus SC Dy Chairman Valery Kalinkovich, Deputy Chairman of Judiciary head of Iran Mohammad Mosaddegh Kahnamoee, Deputy Secretary General SCO Secretariat Janesh Kain and Rakesh Kumar Verma, Deputy Director, Executive Committee, RATS, SCO.

The CJI provided a brief overview of India’s judicial system. Sharing the challenges faced by the institution during the Covid-19 pandemic, he focussed on measures including the adoption of technology for virtual hearings, live streaming of court proceedings, and e-filing undertaken by the judiciary to ensure access to justice.

The Chief Justice highlighted that the incorporation of technology in the system made judicial institutions more accessible to citizens. The heads of judiciaries also shared the functioning of the systems and challenges faced by them and the innovative measures taken to minimize the pandemic’s impact.

On ‘Smart Court’ and the future of the judiciary, chief justice Chandrachud discussed India’s smart court initiatives. He stressed that the judicial system must ensure timely and effective justice delivery, regardless of a person’s location and socio-economic standing.

He emphasized that technology must be used to bridge the gap between citizens and the justice system. The CJI shared that the smart court initiatives focused on simplifying procedures and increasing access to citizens through digital infrastructure.

Sharing the endeavours made by India’s Apex Court, he apprised of the launching of the e-version of the reports, AI-based live transcription of court proceedings, and translation of judgments in multiple regional languages.

Nail Akhmetzakirov, the Head of the Court Administration of Kazakhstan highlighted that the introduction of technology in their judicial facilities had made the proceedings easier. He added that Kazakhstan developed new software post-Covid-19 in order to make accessible the e-system in legal services.

Rakhat Karimova, the Judge of the Kyrgyz Republic informed the delegates that the judicial system of the Kyrgyz Republic was focused on just and effective measures for the interest of the people. He highlighted that during and post-pandemic, the judiciary is transitioning to the e-system with the digitalization of all enforcement bodies.

Believing that AI is the step to the future, Karimova stated that their judiciary was adopting new technologies to expedite trials. It would also ensure the fulfilment of duties by the judges by means of easy monitoring mechanisms.

Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, the Supreme Court judge, highlighted the subject of facilitating ‘Access to Justice’ (not limiting to the privileged), and the importance of issues, initiatives, and prospects.