Today's Editorial

Today's Editorial - 13 March 2023

AI is transcribing SC proceedings

Source: By The Indian Express

The Supreme Court started a first-of-its-kind project to transcribe its proceedings live using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

“We’ll see how it works, especially in the Constitution Bench matters, because then we’ll have a permanent record of arguments. Of course, it helps judges and the lawyers, but it will also help our law colleges. They can analyse how matters are argued…It is a huge resource,” Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said.

What proceedings are being transcribed?

The AI transcript is seen on the live-streaming screen of courtroom number 1, which is the CJI’s court. The five-judge Bench headed by the CJI is hearing the case related to the political crisis in Maharashtra.

The Bench had on 17 February 2023 deferred the decision on the question of whether to reconsider the 2016 verdict of the court in Nabam Rebia vs Deputy Speaker, which had held that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly cannot decide on disqualification petitions when a motion seeking his own removal is pending.

What is the AI powering the transcription, and how is it doing?

The SC transcription is using Teres, which is a platform used often for transcribing arbitration proceedings. The platform is run by Nomology Technology Private Limited, a Bengaluru based company.

“If there are two or more voices at the same time that causes a little bit of a problem,” CJI Chandrachud said. “But they have personnel who will clean up the errors by the evening,” he added.

The transcript will also be shared with lawyers who argued cases for verification, and are likely to be uploaded on the SC website every evening.

What is the significance of this step?

The transcribing is the second major decision towards making the court more transparent after the SC’s decisions to livestream its proceedings before Constitution Benches.

The suggestion to transcribe hearings was made by senior advocate Indira Jaising in the plea she had filed seeking live telecast of court proceedings.

Are transcripts available for courts in other countries?

In the UScourt transcripts are available to litigants and the public. The US Supreme Court provides audio and text transcripts of the proceedings. Many local courts in the US also make a stenographic record of most court proceedings.

In the UK, a litigant can ask for a transcript of the court proceedings for a fee if the hearing is recorded.

KSG BRANCHES​

2521, Hudson Lane Vijay Nagar,
Near GTB Nagar Metro Station,
Delhi
Ph.: 97173 80832 | 88605 88805

More Details

Plot No. 48, 1st & 2nd Floor,
Behind Sargam Talkies, Zone 2,
M.P Nagar, Bhopal
Ph.: 75099 75361 | 91798 95361

More Details

111-117, 1st Floor, Veda Building,
Bhawar Kuan Square,
Indore
Ph.: 98937 72941 | 0731-497 7441

More Details

A1, 2nd Floor, Mamoor Plaza
Above Airtel Office, 2nd Cross Road, 
5th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru
Ph.: 76191 66663 | 080-4854 4393

More Details

56/4 G. Floor & 32, Old Rajendra Nagar, 
Bada bazaar Road, Near Salwan Public School, 
Gate No.2, Delhi
Ph.: 98112 93743 | 011-4517 0303

More Details

Office No. 42, 2nd Floor, 
OM HEERA PANNA Co-op. Society,
Opp. City International School, Oshiwara,
Jogeshwari (West), Mumbai – 400 102
Ph. 98712 65599 | 882600 2521

More Details

2nd Floor keisamthong Hodam Leirak
Thoudabhabok Machin, 
Imphal West,
Manipur
Ph.: 96502 45599

More Details

4th Floor, Chinar Heights, 
Near Chinar Colony, Baghat
Dist- Srinagar, J&K- 190005
Ph.: 9871235599

More Details

403-404, Apex Tower,
Lal Kothi, Tonk Road,
Jaipur
Ph.: 82908 00441 | 0141-4052 441

More Details

Above Toyota Showroom,
Exhibition Road, 
Near Gandhi Maidan, Patna
Ph.: 74639 50774 | 0612- 2500 961

More Detail

College More, PTI Building
2nd Floor, Sector - V, Salt Lake
Kolkata, West Bengal 700091
Ph.: 9007709895

More Details

2nd floor, Houses No: 3-6-111/7&6,
Above PUMA Showroom,
Liberty Main Road, Himayatnagar,
Hyderabad – 500 029
Ph. 79960 66663 | 882600 2521

More Details