Subhash Jindal/Chandigarh
A panel discussion on “Judges: Present and Future” was held at the Chandigarh International Arbitration Centre during the ongoing International Disputes Week 2026, where members of the judiciary reflected on the evolving role of courts in the age of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. The session was moderated by Mr. Anand Chhibbar, Senior Advocate at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, who emphasised that while technology is shaping modern judicial systems, courts must continue to draw guidance from the jurisprudence developed by judges of the past.
Speaking on the transformation brought about by virtual hearings, Justice Arun Monga, Judge of the Rajasthan High Court, noted that the shift to digital courtrooms accelerated during the pandemic and has since proven beneficial for both litigants and judges. “The digital revolution in courts largely emerged from necessity, but it has shown that remote adjudication can save time, reduce travel, and improve accessibility to justice,” he said. However, he stressed that the future lies in a hybrid system where physical hearings and virtual proceedings coexist, supported by strong cyber-security safeguards.
Addressing the issue of litigation and judicial efficiency, Justice Vinod Bhardwaj, Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, observed that the government remains one of the largest litigants in the country and that better administrative decision-making could prevent many disputes from reaching courts. He also pointed out that discussions around judicial backlog must consider the procedural stages that every case must undergo before reaching final adjudication.
Highlighting the role of artificial intelligence, Justice Harkesh Manuja, Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, said AI can assist judges and lawyers in legal research and case management. “Artificial intelligence can be a powerful aid for legal research and case organisation, but it must not replace judicial reasoning,” he noted, cautioning legal professionals to verify AI-generated citations and references before relying on them in court.
The panel concluded that while digitalisation and AI are increasingly becoming part of judicial systems, technology must remain a supportive tool. The judges emphasised the importance of integrating technological training in legal education so that future lawyers and judges can responsibly harness these tools while preserving the human judgment at the heart of justice.
