Breaking: Supreme Court Utilises AI To Make Live Transcriptions Of Its Hearings

For the first time, the Supreme Court of India is set to utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology powered by Natural Language Processing to provide live transcriptions of its hearings. The live transcription service has been launched on a trial basis in the courtroom of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who is presiding over a Constitution Bench dealing with a case concerning the Maharashtra Political Crisis.

A display screen exhibiting the live transcription of the court proceedings has been placed in Court Room 1, which faces the lawyers. The Supreme Court also intends to publish transcripts of oral arguments on its website. TERES, a company that has been supplying this facility to arbitration practitioners, is providing the transcription service. 

CJI DY Chandrachud, announcing the same, said–

"Do you see the screen? We're just trying to explore the possibilities of live transcript. It is an experiment. Then we will have a permanent record of arguments. Of course, it will help the judges and the lawyers, but law colleges can also analyse how arguments are made".

CJI said that the link of the transcript will be given to the lawyers for checking and after that, it will be uploaded in the site.

"Now the only issue is that if two or more people talk over, it can be an issue. But there are persons overseeing it. They will hear and clear it up", CJI said.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal lauded that it is a "wonderful idea" and "milestone". Justice PS Narasimha said that this will mean that the Supreme Court will be literally a "Court of Record" with every spoken word getting recorded.

Senior Advocate Indira Jaising, through her petition had earlier suggested transcripts of proceedings in Supreme Court. 

CJI DY Chandrachud had assured Sr Adv Jaising that the court will, on an administrative side, take the following into consideration-

1. The links to live streaming may be available on cause list.

2. Apart from Constitution Bench live streaming, provision may be made to live stream matters of national importance.

3. Audio transcripts may be allowed for access to court proceedings.