New Delhi: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Thursday batted for technology-driven reforms in the judicial system of Bhutan, and said access to justice depended critically on the optimum utilisation of technological advancements.

Delivering a keynote address at the Royal University of Bhutan in Thimphu on 'Access to Justice in the 21st Century: Technology, Legal Aid and People Centred Courts', CJI Kant also said that he had conveyed to Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay that the Supreme Court of India, along with the high courts, would be delighted to offer internship opportunities to Bhutanese students.

"Let us remember that technology is merely the modern vessel in this era, and our task is to ensure that while the tools of the 21st century are sophisticated, they remain as humble and accessible as the tongue of the people.

"In the end, what we must unflinchingly understand is that justice is not a cloistered virtue locked behind the heavy wooden doors of a courtroom; instead, it is a living presence that must be allowed to walk out into the world, into the high valleys and the bustling markets, and into the very homes of the people," the CJI said.

He added that it would be a privilege for the Indian judiciary to facilitate student exchanges, including providing boarding and lodging where necessary, so that financial constraints do not stand in the way of meaningful legal exposure.

"Experiencing the workings of the court firsthand is an essential part of quality legal education," he said on offering internships to Bhutanese students.

"The road ahead demands a robust resolve to stay committed to pious goals and maintain ethical standards in the judiciary while harnessing technology in the service of fairness, transparency and human dignity.

"In the 21st century, a 'people-centred court' is one where the complexity of the law is simplified by the elegance of technology, ensuring that the majesty of the courtroom is accessible from the palm of one's hand.

"If we are to be true to our heritage, our technological reforms must not merely digitise the status quo, but democratise the very essence of the judicial process," CJI Kant emphasised.

The Indian judicial system originally consisted of traditional files containing handwritten pleadings, oral witness depositions, oral submissions, seldom documented evidence, and only a written judgment, he said.

"These files were bulky, leading to space constraints for record-keeping, often in inadequate courtrooms where the judicial officer, the presiding judge, would often be found hidden behind the files.

"The changes began to occur with improvements in judicial infrastructure, such as the establishment of more courts, additional staff, and record rooms," the CJI said, adding that the significant change came only in the 21st century, with the legal field worldwide experiencing a significant transformation.

He said technology is redefining how legal tasks are performed, how legal professionals and judges engage with information, and crucially, how citizens access justice.

"We have adopted technology thoughtfully, leveraging its advantages while protecting our core values such as fairness, due process, transparency, human dignity and accountability," he said.

"What initially began as a modest digitisation of paperwork has eventually evolved into a reimagining of how legal work is formulated, executed and delivered. From the automation of filings to the use of artificial intelligence in research and analytics, technology today permeates every layer of legal functioning. Yet, this change is not about replacing human judgment; rather, it is about amplifying its reach, precision and purpose," CJI Kant said.

He added that for the Indian judiciary and court administration, technology has become a force multiplier as courts have introduced virtual hearings, e-filing, and online dispute resolution, which have extended the reach of justice far beyond traditional boundaries, ensuring that access to courts is no longer confined by geography or circumstance.

"Case management systems, electronic registries and digital filing platforms have brought about an unprecedented degree of transparency and efficiency. The once paper-heavy corridors of the judicial offices are now being replaced by dashboards that track filings, listings and pendency in real time.

"Judicial officers can now access case histories, precedents and hearing transcripts at a glance, enabling faster and more informed decision-making," he underscored.

The CJI suggested that for a jurisdiction of Bhutan's scale, the most effective reforms are not necessarily the most expensive, but the most integrated, and the country should adopt a 'justice kiosk' model, which would allow a villager in Lhuentse to participate in a hearing in Thimphu without the exhausting and expensive journey across the lateral highway.

"By bringing the courtroom to the community, we ensure that geography is no longer a tax on the seeker of justice," he said, adding that the second step should be 'procedural simplicity', by which a simple land dispute or a small-claims matter can be initiated via a mobile interface that is as user-friendly as a banking app.

The third and most vital step is the strengthening of legal aid through teleservices, whereby connecting dedicated paralegals with indigent litigants via simple digital conduits, and early-stage legal advice can be given before a grievance escalates into a protracted battle.

This report was published from a syndicated wire feed. Apart from the headline, the EdexLive Desk has not edited the copy.