2nd CJT Lecture – Digitization of Courts: Experiences from the Bar We are absolutely thrilled to announce the successful conclusion of the highly anticipated event on the digitization of courts in India, organized by Center for Justice through Technology (CJT)! The event was held at Hotel Habilis, Guindy, to explore the transformative path of the E-Courts Integrated Mission Mode Project and the visionary strides taken by Justice S. Muralidhar in leveraging technology for the betterment of justice seekers.
The event was a deep dive into the realm of digital transformation and its immense potential in revolutionizing the legal landscape. It was an electrifying atmosphere filled with insightful discussions, thought-provoking panel sessions, and inspiring keynotes.
We thank the event coordinators Ms. Gunjan Saxena and Ms. Sinjini Sen for making this event a grand success. We also thank our dean Dr. Ananth Padmanaban and Mr. Antony. R. Julian, Convenor of CJT for their guidance and visionary leadership
The following are some of the key highlights of the event:
In his welcoming speech, Dr. Ananth Padmanabhan, the Dean of Vinayaka Mission’s Law School, emphasized the institution’s unique educational model. He elaborated on how their approach seamlessly blends a global outlook with local applicability, providing students with a holistic legal education that addresses both international standards and regional requirements. This innovative pedagogical method simplifies intricate legal concepts, making them accessible even to students who primarily think in their regional languages. The institution’s unwavering commitment lies in dismantling language and merit barriers, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds enjoy equal access to legal education. This model epitomizes their dedication to bridging the gap between global relevance and local inclusivity in legal education.
During his presentation, Mr. Antony R Julian, the Convenor of the Center for Justice through Technology (CJT), emphasized the pivotal role of technology in enhancing access to justice. He illustrated this idea with the example of the Kleros protocol platform, showcasing how technology is reshaping traditional legal processes. Mr. Julian also elaborated on CJT’s vision and mission, describing it as an incubator for social and economic justice. CJT is dedicated to harnessing technology to create a more equitable legal system and promote positive social and economic change.
Justice Muralidhar, in his keynote speech, stressed the urgent need for digitization of court records and the establishment of a robust e-court system across the country. He noted the resistance to this change among lawyers and law clerks, who feared becoming redundant as their work shifted online. Justice Muralidhar, a pioneer in digitizing district courts and the High Court in Odisha, acknowledged a technological divide among lawyers and opted for a supportive approach, offering to scan and upload hard copies of petitions while providing training at e-seva kiosks. He emphasized the importance of leadership, cooperation, and long tenures for successful digitization initiatives and highlighted the need for dedicated technical support in the judiciary’s e-courts program.
