India's Data-Driven Justice Reforms

Key Highlights from India's Participation at the OECD Global Roundtable

Justice Reforms and Constitutional Framework

• Ministerial Representation: Union Minister of State for Law & Justice, Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, represents India at the 10th OECD Global Roundtable on Equal Access to Justice in Madrid, Spain.
• Constitutional Reference: Emphasised Article 39A of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equal justice and free legal aid, reflecting India's commitment to social, economic, and political justice as envisioned by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Technology-Enabled Justice Delivery

• e-Courts Mission Mode Project:
  • Currently in its third phase (2023–2027), aimed at creating intelligent, paperless courts.
  • Over 560 crore pages of judicial records are being digitised.
• Virtual Hearings:
  • More than 3.86 crore hearings conducted virtually, showcasing significant savings in time and costs for litigants.
  • 43 million virtual hearings conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Innovative Judicial Tools and Systems

• Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS): Connects courts digitally with police, prosecution, and forensics to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
• Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS): Enhances judicial efficiency by streamlining government litigation.
• AI Utilization:
  • Implementation of SUVAS (translation of judgments) and SUPACE (intelligent case research).
  • AI-driven systems remain ethically guided and privacy-conscious.

Community-Focused Initiatives

• DISHA Programme: Focuses on integrating digital innovation with community outreach for holistic access to justice.
• Tele-Law Initiative: Provides free legal advice to over 1.1 crore citizens across India in 22 languages, addressing geographical and awareness barriers.

International Engagement and Collaboration

• Hosted the 1st Regional Conference on Access to Legal Aid in November 2023, bringing together participants from 51 countries.
• Reaffirmed commitment to collaborate with OECD and partner nations on frameworks for ethical AI governance, data interoperability, and digital inclusion.

Overall Objectives

• India’s justice reforms are guided by principles of accessibility, empathy, and responsiveness, ensuring that technological advancements enhance the justice system.
• The approach embodies the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, promoting global cooperation for equal access to justice.

Future Directions

• Continuous efforts will focus on building resilient and inclusive justice systems, leveraging technology to meet evolving citizen expectations and adapting to economic uncertainties.

These notes reflect India's commitment to a data-driven, people-centric justice delivery system, guided by constitutional mandates and enhanced through technological innovation and international collaboration.