The Supreme Court on 21 February introduced live transcription of court proceedings for the first time in the country, employing artificial intelligence (AI) and high-tech tools.
Key points
- The AI transcript is seen on the live-streaming screen of courtroom number 1, which is the CJI’s court.
- The five-judge Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) is hearing the case related to the political crisis in Maharashtra.
- The Bench had on 16th February deferred the decision on the question of whether to reconsider the 2016 verdict of the court in Nabam Rebia vs Deputy Speaker, which had held that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly cannot decide on disqualification petitions when a motion seeking his own removal is pending.
- The SC transcription is using Teres, which is a platform used often for transcribing arbitration proceedings. The platform is run by Nomology Technology Private Limited.
- Live-transcription will help create resources and will be a “great record” for the top court to have.
- The live transcription will not only help the lawyers but also the students from law colleges who can know how these important cases were argued before the Supreme Court.
- The latest initiative adds to a long list of technological reforms, including live-streaming, digitisation of court records, online RTI portal, digital courts desktop application, e-filing and online appearance slip for lawyers, driven by justice Chandrachud, who is also chairman of the e-Committee.
- In the last week of August 2022, the Supreme Court live-streamed its first proceedings, more than three years after a top court ruling recommended live-streaming its hearings.
