From Handwritten Depositions to AI Transcripts: Kerala’s Judicial Digital AI Leap

Nikhil Ranjan, along with Mahak Yadav, from National Law Institute University Bhopal have authored this article.

The Kerala High Court has taken a historic step towards bringing artificial intelligence into the courtroom. It has made the use of Adalat.AI, a speech-to-text tool, mandatory in all trial courts from 1st November 2025, through the order dated 25th September 2025. This move aims to make recording witness statements faster, more accurate, and transparent.

Earlier, judges or typists had to write or dictate every word spoken by a witness. This process was slow and frequently resulted in lengthy delays. With Adalat.AI, witness statements will now be automatically converted from speech into text in real time. Once recorded, they will be uploaded to the District Court Case Management System (DCMS), where lawyers and parties can access them easily.

The system has already been tested in several courts, including a pilot project in Ernakulam district, and received positive feedback. Developed under the IndiaAI Mission, Adalat.AI uses a special speech model for Malayalam and English, designed with help from judges and court staff.

By adopting this technology, Kerala has become the first state in India to make AI-based recording of witness depositions compulsory. Legal experts see this as a landmark move that could reshape how courts across the country handle evidence and deliver justice.

Genesis and Development of Adalat AI

Adalat AI is a company that uses artificial intelligence to improve the justice system. It was incubated at MIT and Oxford and is based on research from Harvard. The company focuses on reducing case backlogs, delays, and social injustices caused by slow legal processes. Its tools are designed to assist judges, court staff, and stenographers in recording and managing court proceedings accurately.

The company offers several AI solutions for courts. These include real-time transcription, which converts speech into text during hearings. It supports 15 Indian languages and ensures high accuracy even in noisy courtrooms. Adalat AI also provides live case flow management, which helps track hearings and documents digitally. Other tools include scanning and digitizing court records, intelligent document processing, AI chatbots for litigants, and AI-powered legal summarization. These solutions streamline court workflows and make legal information more accessible.

Adalat AI has already made an impact in nine Indian states, reaching over 3,000 courtrooms. It works with judicial academies to train judges and staff. Workshops are conducted in courts to provide hands-on experience. The company also offers ongoing support and local tech assistance to ensure smooth adoption.

The company has received multiple awards and recognitions. These include international innovation awards, Forbes 30 under 30 Asia, Business World 40 under 40, and support from the India AI Mission. Media coverage highlights how Adalat AI is speeding up court proceedings and improving access to justice.

By providing accurate, fast, and user-friendly AI tools, Adalat AI is helping courts modernize and deliver justice efficiently. Kerala’s adoption of this system marks an important milestone in the digital transformation of India’s judiciary.

An Optimistic Analysis of the Implementation of Adalat AI in Lower Courts

Adalat AI brings many benefits to courts and the justice system. It makes recording witness statements faster. The tool converts speech into text instantly. It is highly accurate and supports multiple languages, including legal terms and regional phrases. This reduces errors and ensures reliable records. Depositions are uploaded to the case management system. Lawyers and parties can access them easily, which improves transparency.

By automating transcription, document management, and case tracking, Adalat AI helps courts handle more cases efficiently. It also reduces long delays that often take years to resolve. Paper-based records are digitized, making them easy to search and retrieve. AI chatbots keep litigants updated in local languages. This improves access to justice for everyone. Judges and court staff receive workshops, in-court training, and ongoing technical support. This makes adoption smooth and effective.

The system is already deployed in thousands of courtrooms across several states. It has shown its practical impact. By reducing administrative burdens it allows judges to focus on adjudication. This ensures timely justice, especially for marginalized groups. Expert guidance during development and recognition from organizations like Fast Company add credibility. Adalat AI is a pioneering step in modernizing India’s courts.

Critical Analysis of the Mandatory Implementation of Adalat AI

Adalat AI offers promising benefits in speeding up court proceedings and improving transcription accuracy. However, it faces significant challenges. Implementing it across all district courts in Kerala will require robust internet and technical infrastructure in every district, including smaller and rural areas. District courts handle a massive number of cases and a wide range of proceedings, making the workload far greater than what Adalat AI has encountered in pilot tests. The system has not been tested at this scale before, and managing such a large volume of cases could strain its capabilities. Ensuring reliability, accuracy, and uninterrupted service under these conditions will be a major concern.

Not all district courts are equipped with the internet speed, hardware, and technical support that Adalat AI requires. Setting up servers, backup systems, and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity will be challenging, especially in smaller or rural districts. Supporting such a large-scale system may require additional resources that courts do not currently have. The short deadline adds pressure. The notification was issued on September 27, and implementation is expected from November 1. This leaves very little time to prepare, test, and train staff, raising questions about the feasibility of a smooth rollout.

Another serious concern is privacy and data security. Sensitive witness statements will be digitised and stored online, which makes them vulnerable. Any leak or breach could expose the identities of witnesses, including anonymous or protected individuals. There is also the risk of intentional manipulation by external actors or insiders with malicious intent.

Since the system is managed by private companies, there is a possibility that corporate interests or corruption could affect the integrity of the data. Currently, there are limited mechanisms to audit or verify the system continuously, raising concerns about reliability and misuse. Training court staff is crucial, but adoption may vary, and some judges and clerks may take time to trust and adjust to this AI-driven platform.

Recommendations for a Successful AI Transition

For Kerala’s AI-driven justice system to truly succeed, the focus must shift from speed to sustainability. The High Court and Adalat AI should ensure that technology serves people, not the other way around. A few key steps can make this transition smoother and fairer.

To begin with, the rollout should be phased. The November 1 deadline feels rushed. Not every court is digitally ready. Districts with better connectivity and infrastructure can start first. Rural and smaller courts should follow once they meet the basic digital standards. A dedicated “Digital Equity Fund” can help upgrade old systems and bridge the urban–rural tech divide. Justice cannot depend on geography.

Security is another pillar of trust. Before full deployment, Adalat AI should undergo an independent security audit. Data privacy must be non-negotiable. The High Court should clearly define that all judicial data remains the state’s property. Any misuse by private vendors must invite strict penalties. To protect evidence integrity, an immutable digital trail similar to blockchain can be introduced so every change or access is transparently recorded.

Bias is a silent danger in AI. The system must be tested across different dialects of Malayalam and English. Regional accents, expressions, and speech patterns matter. Continuous bias testing and fine-tuning can ensure fair accuracy for everyone. Importantly, judges should remain the final authority. Every transcribed statement must be instantly displayed for human verification before being finalised.

Training also plays a decisive role. Instead of one-time workshops, there should be hands-on, regionalized sessions. Local trainers who understand court culture and language nuances can make learning easier. Finally, an open feedback mechanism should be built into the system. Court staff should be able to report glitches, errors, or usability issues directly to the IT Directorate. Quick responses can build long-term confidence.

By taking these steps, Kerala can lead not just in innovation, but in responsible innovation. The goal is not just faster justice, but fairer, safer, and more accessible justice for all.

Conclusion

The Kerala High Court’s order mandating Adalat.AI by November 2025 is more than just a technological upgrade; it is a declaration that the era of slow, handwritten justice is over. By pioneering the mandatory use of AI for witness depositions, Kerala has set a national benchmark, promising a future of faster, more transparent, and remarkably accurate judicial proceedings. This digital pivot holds the potential to dismantle the administrative bottlenecks that have long plagued the delivery of timely justice.

Yet, as this new chapter begins, the critical analysis reminds us that true progress lies not just in adoption, but in responsible implementation. The success of this massive undertaking hinges on overcoming the structural hurdles—namely, ensuring digital equity across all district courts, reinforcing ironclad data security protocols to protect sensitive witness information, and rigorously testing the AI to eliminate linguistic bias across various regional dialects. The ambition of the accelerated timeline must be balanced with a phased, sustainable rollout.

Ultimately, Adalat.AI is a powerful tool, but it remains just that—a tool. Kerala’s journey to becoming the first state with compulsory AI depositions is inspiring, but its lasting legacy will be determined by its commitment to the human element.

By prioritizing robust infrastructure, guaranteeing the sanctity of judicial data, maintaining human verification as the final guardrail, and fostering confidence among judges and staff, the High Court can ensure that this artificial intelligence leap delivers not just quicker decisions, but truly fairer, safer, and more accessible justice for every citizen. The path forward requires constant vigilance, but the destination—a modernized, efficient Indian judiciary—is worth the effort.

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The views, opinions, and analysis expressed in this article are those of the contributing authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position, policy, or endorsement of ISAIL.IN or its affiliated institutions.