Chief Justice inaugurates orientation programme on “ICT, e-Courts”, “AI and its impact on Judiciary”

JAMMU: Under the patronage of Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy), Arun Palli and guidance of  Chairperson and members of Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy, the Jammu & Kashmir Judicial Academy today organised a one day orientation programme on “ICT and e-Courts Induction Programme” for the newly recruited Civil Judges (ECT-17-2025)” and “Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Judiciary” at J&K Judicial Academy, Janipur, Jammu.

The programme was inaugurated by the Chief Justice, who in his inaugural address observed that the judiciary is entering a decisive phase where technology and justice delivery are inseparably linked.

Referring to recent observations of the Chief Justice of India, he noted that Artificial Intelligence and digital platforms will increasingly be used for monitoring case pendency, data analysis and case management.

The Chief Justice emphasised that for officers serving in remote and challenging districts, technology is not merely an aid but a vital instrument to ensure timely and effective justice. Stressing that such programmes are meant to build not only technical proficiency but also institutional understanding, the Chief Justice called upon the officers to adopt technology with confidence and purpose to strengthen the justice delivery system.

In his special address, Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Chairperson, Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy, observed that Artificial Intelligence is increasingly being used in the process of adjudication, including as an aid in the drafting of judgments.

Justice Rajnesh Oswal remarked that while AI has significant merits and can substantially assist the judicial officers in research, analysis and efficiency, it also carries inherent limitations and demerits.

Emphasising the need for judicious application, Justice Oswal cautioned that AI should be used profusely as a supportive tool but never as a substitute for human reasoning. He said that the judicial officers must use AI with their own intellect and discernment, without relying solely upon it.

The programme commenced with an introductory address by Naseer Ahmad Dar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy. He highlighted that the objective of the programme was to sensitise the newly recruited Civil Judges to the practical aspects of ICT tools, e-Courts applications and emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence.

 M.K. Sharma, Registrar General, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Rajeev Gupta, Registrar Vigilance, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, along with other officers of the Registry, also attended the inaugural session.

During the first technical session, Umesh Sharma, Registrar (IT), High Court of J&K and Ladakh, provided an overview of the e-Courts Project, introduced the Case Information System (CIS) and conducted a practical demonstration of key CIS features relevant to day-to-day judicial functioning.

The second Technical session was conducted by Faizan I Nazar, CPC, e-Courts, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, who deliberated on the rules governing ICT, including e-Filing Rules, Nyay-Shruti Rules, NSTEP and the rules relating to preparation and supply of copies, including e-True Copies of records in the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

In the third technical session, Dr. Karnnika A. Seth, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, delivered an insightful lecture through virtual mode on “Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Judiciary”, discussing the opportunities, challenges and ethical considerations associated with the use of AI in judicial processes.

The programme concluded with an interactive session and feedback from the participants, followed by a vote of thanks proposed by the Director, J&K Judicial Academy.