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15 Indian J.L. & Just. 1 (2024)
Evaluating ICT Adoption in the Indian Judiciary: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Impact of the E-Courts Project

handle is hein.journals/ijlj15 and id is 11 raw text is: 








ISSN: 0976-3570


    Evaluating  ICT  Adoption   in the Indian Judiciary:  Challenges,
        Opportunities,  and  the Impact  of the E-Courts  Project

                                                      Prof. Subhajit Basu1
                                                           Ms. Chitra Jha2


                                Abstract

Over  recent decades,  the integration of Information and  Communication
Technology  (ICT) across various industries has significantly boosted human
effort and creativity. The legal sector, particularly the Indian Judiciary, is no
exception to this trend. In response, the Supreme Court of India implemented the
National Policy and Action Plan for ICT deployment  in the Indian Judiciary
(Action Plan  2005) via the e-Courts Project in 2005. This paper critically
examines the Indian government's and Supreme Court's efforts to integrate ICT
within Indian courts. It assesses the e-Courts Project's successes and challenges
during its initial two phases, focusing on the objectives outlined in Action Plan
2005. The analysis revolves around three primary goals: reducing the backlog
of pending  cases and judicial workload, cutting down  litigation costs and
complexities, and  improving  transparency  and  legal literacy in judicial
processes. By exploring progress in these areas, the paper offers insights into
whether a strategic reorientation is needed for the upcoming third phase of the
e-Courts Project.

Keywords:  Supreme  Court  of India, National Judicial Data Grid, e-Courts,
Court Management   Systems, AI Integration in Judicial Decision-Making.



I.   Introduction

Over  the past  few decades,  various industries have increasingly adopted
Information and Communication   Technology (ICT) to boost human  efficiency
and creativity. This technological revolution has profoundly transformed sectors


1 Chair in Law and Technology, School of Law, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
2 Independent Scholar.


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Vol. 15 No. 1