Cabinet approves eCourts Phase III for 4 years; aims to improve peoples access to justice

With an aim to establish online and paperless courts, the central government on Wednesday (September 13) gave its nod to eCourts Project Phase III as a Central Sector Scheme spanning four years (2023 onwards). The government said on Wednesday that with the beginning of Phase III e-courts project, the judicial system will be made accessible, reliable and transparent for citizens.

The government said that the expected outcomes of the scheme are as follows:

1. Citizens who do not have access to technology can access the judicial services from eSewa Kendras, thus bridging the digital divide.

2. Digitisation of court records lays the foundation for all other digital services in the project. It enables processes to become more environmental friendly by minimizing paper-based filings and reducing the physical movement of documents.

3. Virtual participation in the court proceedings, thus reducing costs associated with court proceedings, such as travel expenses for witnesses, judges, and other stakeholders.

4. Payment of court fees, fines and penalties from anywhere, anytime.

5. Expansion of eFiling for reducing the time and effort required to file documents. Thereby minimising human errors as documents are automatically checked and also prevent further creation of paper-based records.

6. Use of latest technologies like Al and its subsets Machine Learning (ML), Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Natural Language Processing (NLP) to provide a smoother user experience by building a "smart" ecosystem. Registries will have less data entry and minimal file scrutiny facilitating better decision-making and policy planning. It envisages smart scheduling, intelligent system that enables data-based decision making for judges and registries, allows for greater predictability and optimisation of the capacity of judges and lawyers.

7. Expansion of virtual courts beyond the adjudication of traffic violation cases, thereby eliminating the presence of litigant or lawyer in the court. Enhanced accuracy and transparency in court proceedings

8. Emphasis on automated delivery of court summons by further expanding the NSTEP (National Serving and Tracking of Electronic Processes), hence drastically reducing the delays in trials.

9. Use of emerging technologies in court processes will make them more efficient and effective, hence contributing significantly towards the reduction of the pendency cases.