The article discusses how artificial intelligence tools are increasingly being used within Indian courts, especially by lawyers for research and drafting. AI began as a simple helper—search engines that located case citations—but has evolved into systems capable of synthesizing legal arguments, generating draft pleadings, and mimicking aspects of legal reasoning. This rapid adoption has sparked a fundamental debate within the legal community: while AI can enhance efficiency, uncritical reliance on it may threaten the ethical foundations and accuracy of legal advocacy.
A significant concern is “hallucinations”—situations where AI systems produce fabricated or incorrect information. Indian judges have repeatedly warned about this risk after lawyers cited non‑existent cases generated by AI, such as a fictitious “Mercy versus Mankind” citation in the Supreme Court. High Courts have also encountered pleas built on entirely fabricated case laws or distorted legal propositions, leading to dismissals and cost orders. The Supreme Court has even indicated that relying on false AI‑generated citations could amount to professional misconduct, underscoring that lawyers, not machines, remain responsible for accuracy.
Beyond research, AI is reshaping legal workflows with tools like Westlaw AI, Lexis+ AI, CoCounsel, and domestic platforms such as Vidur AI, NyaySaathi, and Jhana AI. These range from powerful global systems capable of cross‑jurisdictional reasoning to local tools better adapted to Indian legal data and language. Despite these advances, no single platform yet meets the full spectrum of courtroom needs, and most systems act more as assistants than autonomous thinkers.
The article emphasizes that while AI offers promise—improving access to legal information, assisting smaller practitioners, and helping reduce judicial backlog—it also raises challenges around accountability, confidentiality, bias, and data security. Courts worldwide have stressed that technology should assist but not replace human judgment. The future of legal practice will be shaped not only by advances in AI, but by how responsibly and critically practitioners integrate these tools into the justice system.
