The Supreme Court of India has released draft regulations to govern the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in courts across the country. The proposed guidelines, titled Draft Regulations for the Use of AI 2026, aim to ensure the responsible and ethical use of AI technology within the judicial system .According to the draft rules, lawyers will be allowed to use AI tools to prepare petitions, legal documents, and court arguments. However, if any document or submission has been created with the assistance of AI, it must be clearly disclosed to the court. The guidelines also permit the use of AI for legal research, drafting, translation, case management, and other administrative tasks. At the same time, the Supreme Court has emphasized that the final authority to make legal decisions will remain exclusively with judges. AI tools can assist the process, but they cannot replace judicial decision-making.
The court has further clarified that lawyers will be fully responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, or misconduct resulting from the use of AI. Legal professionals cannot avoid accountability by blaming AI-generated content. Appropriate action may be taken if violations or mistakes occur. These proposed regulations will apply to all High Courts, District Courts, Tribunals, and Legal Commissions across India. The Supreme Court has also published a list of prohibited uses of AI within the judicial system to prevent misuse. The public has been invited to submit feedback and suggestions on the draft regulations until June 20. The initiative marks a significant step toward integrating advanced technology into the Indian judiciary while maintaining transparency, accountability, and judicial independence.
