Justice for All in the Digital Age: Evaluating India’s Tech-Driven Legal Reforms and SDG 16
摘要
Peaceful and inclusive societies are one of the core goals under the Sustainable Development Scheme of the United Nations. The progress of other goals under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs hereinafter referred to as ‘SDGs’) majorly depends on peace, stability and commitment to the inclusion of any country. Ensuring peace, justice and maintaining inclusive societies is one of the guiding forces of the judicial wing of any state. Considering a highly multi-cultural and multi-dimensional country like India which has multiple languages and different belief systems it is important that judicial services are reachable to all. Of late there have been several technology-based innovations making access to justice easier reflecting on the language barrier, accessibility to the Courts, legal learning opportunities and access to legal documents in their preferred language. This paper investigates the use and impact of technology in ensuring access to justice for all. The paper attempts to find out the feasibility and success of such innovations in justice delivery system. The methodology used for the research is doctrinal and comparative. The researcher has analyzed the phase wise planning and budgetary allocation for implementation of Information and Communications Technologies (hereinafter referred to as ‘ICT’) tools in judicial system. The research suggests a steep rise in innovations and transition from electronic age to the age of Artificial Intelligence. The report reveals the efforts of the Supreme Court and other courts below in moving towards complete digitization of data. The Supreme Court, through eCourts Mission Mode Project (hereinafter referred to as ‘e-Courts project’), Electronic Supreme Court Reports (hereinafter referred to as e-SCR), Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software (hereinafter referred to as ‘SUVAS’) and Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Court’s Efficiency (hereinafter referred to as ‘SUPACE’) portal is consistently making information available to all irrespective of physical boundaries. The study also reflects upon the innovations made by private practitioners. Towards the conclusion it is seen that though there are multiple efforts, the ultimate success is to facilitate utilization of the same through awareness and education so that access to justice is available to all.