INTRODUCTION
The accelerating pace of technology is transforming industries all over the world, and the legal sector is no different. Perhaps one of the most important and controversial innovations of recent years is the arrival of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in law practice popularly known as the arrival of “artificial lawyers.” From streamlining routine work such as document review to analysing huge legal databases in seconds, AI tools are starting to assume tasks conventionally done by human attorneys.[1]
In nations such as the United States and the United Kingdom, AI has already established itself in law. But in India, the incorporation of AI is beset by challenges and opportunities because of the Indian legal system which is the legacy of the colonial-era institutions and conventional constitutional norms. The Indian legal system is vast, multi-lingual and hugely clogged with a gigantic backlog of cases. Under these circumstances, AI has the potential to make a revolutionary contribution to making the system more efficient and accessible.
But, as attractive as this technological revolution seems, its unappealing side can’t be ignored. The increasing use of algorithms and machine learning provokes deep questions: Can artificial intelligence grasp the subtleties of justice? What becomes of the place of human lawyers in a technology-based legal system? And most importantly, can ethical and constitutional principles be preserved when decision-making is left to machines?
AI CAPABILITIES IN THE LEGAL FIELD
Applications of AI in law are increasing at a rapid pace, with products such as ROSS Intelligence (an AI-based legal research tool on IBM Watson) and LexisNexis India providing sophisticated search functionality and natural language processing.
Some of the typical applications are:
- Legal Research & Analytics: AI-based algorithms can search through huge databases for case laws and statutes in mere seconds,[2] which saves time and effort to a great extent.
- Contract Analysis: Software such as Kira Systems assists in contract review by detecting risks and pointing out important clauses.[3]
- Predictive Analysis: AI can predict litigation results based on past legal data. For example, Blue J Legal employs machine learning to predict judicial rulings.[4]
- Chatbots and Virtual Assistants: Companies such as LawBot and DoNotPay provide simple legal counsel through AI-powered chatbots.[5]
ETHICAL ISSUES RELATED TO AI IN LAW
The application of AI to law is not without ethical complications:
- Algorithmic Bias: AI systems tend to inherit biases within their training data,[6] which could result in discriminatory outcomes. For instance, if historical legal verdicts are biased, AI would analyse them and might sustain them as well, ignoring what is needed in the current scenario.
- Transparency and Accountability: Most AI systems are “black boxes,”(systems where internal workings are hidden or unknown). Due to this, it is not possible to trace the decisions made by them.[7] And hence, increases accountability issues.
- Confidentiality and Data Privacy: Legal data is extremely sensitive.[8] Utilisation of AI tools requires strong data protection legislation and policies in order to maintain client confidentiality. Even though AI is ubiquitous, it requires careful management to maintain its integrity.
- Unauthorised Practice of Law: Automating legal assistance is very close to practising law, hence, it is a question of regulatory issues, particularly in nations such as India where the legal practice is regulated by the Advocates Act, 1961.[9]
A CRITICAL REFLECTION: HUMAN JUDGMENT IN THE AGE OF ALGORITHMS
While the legal profession is certainly being transformed by artificial intelligence, it is essential to acknowledge that technology must be seen as a means to aid legal practice and not to substitute the core element of human legal thought. The practice of law is not just a matter of logic, it is intensely interpretive, ethical and empathetic. These are human qualities that machines cannot possibly imitate.[10] We must recognise that in addition to increasing efficiency, AI is capable of delivering justice more accessible and affordable. Especially in a nation like India where the pendency of cases is high[11] and unequal access to legal services continues to be an issue. Caution ought to be exercised where there are issues that depend on nuanced judgments or moral reasoning and not just computation. Legal decisions impact human lives and they need to be arrived at with contextual sensitivity and ethical acumen, which presently fall outside the scope of algorithms.
Additionally, Indian law schools need development to make their future lawyers capable of dealing with this integration. Law and technology courses, AI legal ethics and data privacy need to be included in the curriculum. In the end, responsible AI use in law requires a balanced response that advances innovation while protecting the fundamental values of justice. It is not a matter of whether AI will transform the profession of law, but how we, as future legal professionals, decide to direct that transformation.
THE INDIAN LEGAL ENVIRONMENT: PREPAREDNESS FOR ARTIFICIAL LAWYERS
India’s judicial system, though highly traditional, is slowly adapting to technological change. The growth of legal-tech startups and digitisation initiatives- like the Supreme Court’s e-committee efforts and the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) are indicative of a move towards AI[12] integration in judicial processes. However, the use of AI in Indian courts and law firms is spotty because of infrastructural issues and regulatory loopholes.
Additionally, the lack of a clear regulatory framework for the use of AI in legal practice leaves room for ambiguity. The Information Technology Act, 2000, and proposed data protection legislation such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, provide only limited regulatory support[13] but fail to meet the complex challenge presented by “artificial lawyers.” Comprehensive policy guidelines that alter the balance towards innovation while also ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability are required to ensure responsible and effective incorporation of AI in the legal field.
CONCLUSION
The fusion of artificial intelligence with the legal profession is no longer a future prospect, it is a reality in the making. AI has already started to grow rapidly in legal services, be it accessibility, affordability or efficiency, it has been transforming the legal system in various ways. In nations where the approach to legal aid is challenging, artificial lawyers may assist in bridging gaps between institutions.
But this usage raises grave ethical, professional and regulatory issues. It is agreeable that AI can analyse data more effectively but when it comes to dealing with issues with human compassion, technology cannot perform up to the marks. Can artificial lawyers empathise with the victim? Can it interpret a statute with the same human sense? Can it plead for justice with the same passion? The answer to the above questions is undoubtedly, NO! It can’t. Because these are the vital components that are part and parcel of the law and can only be exercised by human beings capably.
To sum up, artificial lawyers must not be viewed as substitutes for human lawyers. Instead, they must be seen as cooperative allies to them in this increasingly dynamic system of justice. By using this technology with proper regulations and surveillance, we can unlock its tremendous potential in the legal sector. Artificial intelligence can help us improve the efficiency of our routine work and can also provide us with greater access to the resources to achieve our goals. While AI has great potential to assist humans in the legal field, giving spotlight to it, without considering a balance between the two, can risk the whole concept of dehumanising justice in the judicial system, on which the world relies upon deeply with faith.
Author’s Name: Name: Nishtha Narang (UILS, Panjab University)
[1] Debra Cassens Weiss, ‘Meet ROSS, “the world’s first artificially intelligent attorney”’ (ABA Journal, 30 July 2015)<https://www.abajournal.com/news/article/meet_ross_the_worlds_first_artificially_intelligent_attorney> accessed 12 April 2025.
[2] LexisNexis, ‘Lexis Advance: India’s leading legal research platform’<https://www.lexisnexis.in/en-in/products/lexis-advance-india.page>accessed 13April 2025.
[3]‘AI Contract Review Software | Kira | Litera’ (Litera)<https://www.litera.com/products/kira>accessed 13 April 2025.
[4] Blue J Legal, ‘How It Works’ (Blue J Legal, 2025)<https://www.bluej.com/>accessed 13 April 2025.
[5] DoNotPay, ‘The World’s First Robot Lawyer’ (DoNotPay, 2025)<https://donotpay.com/>accessed 14 April 2025.
[6] Pauline Kim, ‘Data-Driven Discrimination at Work’ (2017) 58 Wm & Mary L Rev 857
[7] Frank Pasquale, The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms That Control Money and Information (Harvard UP 2015)
[8] Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (India)
[9] Advocates Act 1961 (India)
[10] Mireille Hildebrandt, ‘Law as Computation in the Era of Artificial Legal Intelligence’ (2018) 33(1) Law and Critique 1
[11] National Judicial Data Grid, NJDG Portal (eCourts Project, 2025) <https://njdg.ecourts.gov.in/njdgnew/>accessed 13 April 2025. <scdg.sci.gov.in+5e-Committee, Supreme Court of India+5India Government+5>
[12] Supreme Court of India, ‘e-Committee’ (e-Committee, 2025)<https://ecommitteesci.gov.in/>accessed 14 April 2025.
[13] Information Technology Act 2000 (India); Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (India)
