Technology and alternative dispute resolution

Courts now use digital technology to make justice easier to reach (accessible) and easier to see (transparent).

Litigants (people in a case) can now check their own case details online, without always asking their lawyer.

Copies of court orders and judgments are free for anyone to read, in many languages.

Digital steps the courts have taken:

• e-Filing: filing a case online;
• hybrid hearings: attend in person or by video;
• live streaming of court hearings;
• translation of judgments into Indian languages;
• the National Judicial Data Grid: enter a case number and see its status.

Since 2024–25, a big screen called the 'Virtual Justice Clock' stands at the main entrance gates of the Supreme Court. It shows real-time data about the court's cases.

Courts also encourage people to settle disputes without a full court case. These are called alternative ways of settling disputes.

Arbitration. Both sides agree to hand their dispute to an independent arbitrator (or a panel): a retired judge, a lawyer or an expert.

• The arbitrator must be fair, and hear both sides.
• The arbitrator's decision is final, legally binding, and a court will enforce it.

Mediation. A neutral mediator helps the two sides reach an agreement themselves.

• The mediator has no power to decide anything or force a view.
• The two sides settle it themselves.

So: an arbitrator decides; a mediator only helps. An agreement people make themselves is often the one they keep.

Lok Adalats are people's courts. They are recognised by law under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. They settle disputes in a friendly way, whether a case is already in court or, sometimes, before one is filed.

Gram Nyayalayas, set up under a law of 2008, are mobile village courts. They use simple procedures, with no technicalities. They bring the court to the village, instead of the village going to the court.