Kochi: The Kerala High Court has issued a new policy that bans the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for decision-making or legal judgment in the district courts of the state.
As per a PTI report, the court introduced the ‘Policy on Use of AI Tools in District Judiciary’. It allows AI tools only for limited and careful use. The decision comes as AI tools become more widely available. This has created a need for clear rules in legal work.
Officials say this is the first policy of its kind in the country.
The High Court has asked the district courts to be very cautious, warning that misuse of AI could lead to serious problems such as privacy violations, data leaks, and loss of public trust in the legal system.
The policy says judicial officers must use AI tools only as assistants. They must not rely on them for decisions. The aim is to keep human involvement central in all legal processes.
It also highlights that judges and staff must follow ethical standards, ensure transparency, and protect confidential information while using any AI tools. If anyone breaks the rules, the court will take disciplinary action as per its regulations.
These rules apply not just to judges, but also to court staff, interns, and legal assistants across Kerala.
The policy includes all kinds of AI tools, including those that help find legal information, such as case laws and statutes. Examples mentioned are ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and Deepseek.
The guidelines apply regardless of the device used—whether personal or official—and at any location or time.
The policy also instructs users to operate AI tools only under full human supervision. It permits only approved AI tools and prohibits the use of cloud-based services unless specifically allowed.
It clearly warns that judges must not use AI tools to issue any orders, judgments, or reliefs. Judges will be fully responsible for the accuracy and content of any legal order or decision.
The courts must maintain records of all AI use, noting which tools they used and how humans verified the results.
The policy urges all judicial officers to attend training programs on the proper use of AI. Any mistakes or issues found in AI-generated content must be reported.
Finally, the High Court directed all District Judges and Chief Judicial Magistrates to share the policy with their teams and take every necessary step to ensure they strictly follow the rules.
