The report on ‘Use of Technology in the Justice System’ explores the need and the manner in which technology can be infused in functioning of the Indian judicial system and consequent changes in existing laws that may be necessitated. It charts (i) global developments in the area; (ii) ascertains the need to migrate to an online dispute resolution system; (iii) discusses implementation of technology in the different stages of a civil trial starting from e-filing of pleadings through evidence to final arguments; and (iv) analyses factors that should guide the implementation of e-courts.
The Report highlights how with social distancing becoming the new norm, as a means of preventing further spread of the virus, the Indian justice delivery system has had to let go of the age-old practice of hearings in a physical courtroom through physical paper pleadings.
The Report further underlines that with planned implementation, it is possible to shift completely to a system of online dispute resolution, where a matter may be completely handled remotely with e-filing of pleadings and remote hearing through videoconferencing. However, no shift in system can happen overnight.