Supreme Courts Of India & Russia Sign MoU On Judicial Cooperation

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Supreme Court of India and the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in the field of judicial cooperation.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Russian Federation Igor Krasnov signed the MoU in Moscow.

Speaking at the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, Chief Justice Surya Kant said that the Indian and Russian apex courts, despite evolving through different legal traditions, face a common challenge of preserving public confidence in the administration of justice while adapting to rapid technological and societal changes.

 Emphasising that technology should serve as an instrument of access to justice rather than a substitute for judicial decision-making, Chief Justice Surya Kant said India's digital transformation in the judiciary has been guided by the objective of making courts more accessible, transparent and responsive. 

Referring to the growing use of Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary, Justice Surya Kant noted that the Supreme Court has developed tools such as SUVAS (Supreme Court Vidhik Anuvaad Software) to facilitate translation of judicial documents, with judgments in English being translated into 16 regional languages. He also highlighted the recently launched AI-powered chatbot "Su Sahay", which provides litigants, lawyers and the public with information relating to court procedures, case status and filing requirements.

Chief Justice Surya Kant further referred to the "One Case, One Data" initiative aimed at creating a standardised digital record for each case across judicial platforms. He said technology is also being increasingly used to promote online arbitration and mediation, helping improve efficiency, reduce costs and facilitate timely dispute resolution.

At the same time, JChief ustice Surya Kant stressed that the administration of justice must remain a fundamentally human endeavour. While AI can assist judges through translation, transcription, information management and administrative support, it cannot determine outcomes, assess witness credibility, evaluate evidence or exercise judicial discretion. He referred to the Supreme Court's recently notified draft regulations on the use of Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary, which seek to ensure responsible deployment of AI while preserving judicial independence and human oversight.

Concluding his address, Chief Justice Surya Kant said courts across jurisdictions are confronting similar challenges relating to technological innovation, public confidence and institutional preparedness. He expressed hope for deeper cooperation between the Indian and Russian judiciaries through exchanges between judicial academies, joint training programmes, research collaborations and sharing of best practices.

"The future of justice will depend upon our ability to combine technological innovation with enduring human values," he said, expressing confidence that continued engagement between the two apex courts would strengthen judicial institutions in both countries.