On 19 July 2025, the Kerala High Court issued a first-of-its-kind formal Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools in the District Judiciary. The policy document, issued after internal deliberations, categorically prohibits the use of AI tools for any judicial decision-making purposes, including legal reasoning, preparation of judgments, or determination of findings and reliefs. They permit AI usage only for limited administrative and assistive functions, subject to strict human oversight.
The formulation of this policy follows the growing adoption of AI tools in various sectors, including limited experimentation within courts globally. The Kerala High Court, recognising both the potential and risks associated with AI, proactively initiated regulatory measures to safeguard judicial independence and accuracy in decision-making.
The policy is premised on concerns over privacy rights, data security, potential erosion of trust in the judicial system, and risks of inaccuracies or biases associated with AI-generated outputs. It applies to all members of the District Judiciary in Kerala and the employees assisting them in the judicial work. The policy is also applicable to any interns or law clerks working with the District Judiciary in Kerala.
The guiding principles strictly prohibit the use of AI tools for judicial decision-making, including framing findings, legal reasoning, and drafting judgments. AI may only be used for limited administrative tasks like scheduling or research assistance, and even then, under mandatory human supervision. Cloud-based AI tools, especially generative AI like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Deepseek, are barred from handling any sensitive case data due to confidentiality risks. Judicial officers must independently verify any AI-generated content, and detailed audit records must be maintained. Any misuse of AI in judicial work will attract disciplinary action.
The members of the judiciary and employees assisting them must participate in the training programs organised by the Judicial Academy or the High Court on the ethical, legal, technical, and practical aspects of Al.
The policy is likely to become a reference point for other courts considering AI integration, balancing technological advancement with judicial integrity. The guidelines safeguard against over-reliance on unverified or biased AI outputs while clarifying acceptable use cases, thereby reinforcing public trust in human-led justice delivery.