The Kerala High Court has directed that from November 1, 2025, all trial courts across the State must mandatorily record witness depositions using the Adalat.AI speech-to-text transcription tool. This decision follows a pilot project that began on February 1, 2025, in selected courts at Ernakulam, including the Additional District and Sessions Court for atrocity and sexual violence cases, an Additional District and Sessions Judge/MACT court, the Principal Munsiff Court, and a Judicial First Class Magistrate court. The initiative is aimed at reducing procedural delays, increasing efficiency, and modernizing the process of recording witness testimonies.
According to the directive, witness depositions are to be recorded using Adalat.AI in real time. In circumstances where technical issues prevent the use of this tool, courts may seek prior approval to employ alternative platforms or transcription tools that have been verified by the High Court’s Directorate of Information Technology. Once recorded, and after obtaining the necessary endorsements and signatures, depositions are to be uploaded to the District Court Management System as soon as the uploading feature is operational. This will ensure that records are digitally available to parties and their counsel through their dashboards.
The High Court has also instructed that each district designate Nodal Officers to oversee and ensure compliance with the new system. These officers are required to submit monthly Action Taken Reports detailing how courts and tribunals within their jurisdiction are implementing the new method of deposition recording. This mechanism is intended to ensure uniform compliance and timely resolution of any technical or administrative issues before the full rollout.
The introduction of AI-based transcription in the judicial process is expected to bring multiple benefits, including faster proceedings, minimization of transcription errors, and improved accuracy in witness records. It also represents a significant step toward digital modernization of court procedures by reducing reliance on manual methods, which are often time-consuming and prone to inconsistencies.
The High Court emphasized that the AI system is to function as an assistive tool rather than a decision-making mechanism, ensuring that judicial oversight remains paramount. The adoption of such technology is seen as a move toward making justice delivery more efficient and transparent, while also aligning court practices with modern technological advancements.
By mandating the use of AI-based transcription, the Kerala High Court has established a new standard for courtroom technology integration, with the expectation that the reform will not only speed up trials but also enhance accuracy and accessibility of records, thereby benefiting litigants, advocates, and the justice system as a whole.
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