Latest news with #DistrictJudiciary
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
‘No AI tools for judicial verdicts': Kerala HC brings out landmark guidelines
KOCHI: Taking note of the excessive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools by members of the District Judiciary, the Kerala High Court has issued guidelines stating that judges must not use AI tools to arrive at any findings, grant reliefs or issue orders or judgments under any circumstances. This is the first instance in the country where a High Court has framed specific guidelines for the use of AI tools in the District Judiciary. As per the policy, most AI tools, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, are cloud-based technologies. In such platforms, any input provided by users may be accessed or used by the service providers to further their interests, including fine-tuning their models. Submitting information such as case facts, personal identifiers, privileged communications or uploading any other documents related to litigation to these AI tools may result in a serious breach of confidentiality, it stated. 'Hence, the use of all cloud-based services should be avoided, except for approved AI tools,' the HC said. It stated that the increasing availability of and access to AI tools are making a profound impact on diverse fields, including law. While AI tools can be beneficial, their indiscriminate use might result in negative consequences, including violation of privacy rights, data security risks and erosion of trust in judicial decision-making. 'Therefore, the judicial officers and the staff of the District Judiciary are advised to exercise extreme caution while using AI tools,' th stated.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Walkathon raises awareness on child marriages
Mandya: Collective efforts by the public and officials are crucial to making Mandya district free from child marriages, said Subramanya JN, principal district and sessions judge and chairman of the District Legal Services Authority. After inaugurating a mega awareness walkathon, organised in collaboration with the District Judiciary, the district administration, the zilla panchayat (ZP), and the Directorate of Child Protection, Subramanya stressed the need to educate girls about the ill-effects and legal consequences of child marriages. He urged people to report such cases immediately via Childline-1098 or ERRS112, so the authorities concerned intervene and take legal action against those involved in the illegal act. DC Kumara said although poverty and illiteracy fuelled child marriages in the past, their persistence today is unacceptable. He recommended that teachers monitor prolonged absenteeism among girls to help detect and prevent potential child marriages. ZP CEO KR Nandini said children's gram sabhas are now being held at gram panchayat levels to educate children about their rights, while discussions and cultural activities are held to created awareness on child marriages. Venkatesh, member of Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, pointed out that while legal enforcement reduced traditional child marriages, the rise in cases of underage pregnancies posing a new social challenge. Senior civil judge Anand M emphasised the importance of ensuring that rescued girls continue their studies. Officials from various departments, including the police, excise, women and child development, social welfare, and education sectors, participated in the event.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Leave application of judicial officers of Kerala to be weighed against their performance
The leave applications of judicial officers of the District Judiciary of Kerala will be weighed against their professional performance. An office memorandum issued by the Registrar (District Judiciary) of the Kerala High Court on Monday has asked the Principal District Judges and the Chief Judicial Magistrates to include the details of 'the percentage of achievement of target, performance in the disposal of old cases and the details of leave availed in the last two years while forwarding applications for leave, other than casual 1ave of the Judicial Officers.' It also suggested that the Principal District Judges/Chief Judicial Magistrates shall offer their remarks on the request for leave. It appears that the circular is intended to serve as a deterrent for judicial officers from applying for their legally earned commuted and earned leaves, which are availed of to meet medical emergencies and familial commitments. These leaves are credited in their account proportional to the number of years of service, as prescribed in the Kerala Service Rules (KSR), pointed out a judicial officer. One need not wait for the leave application of the judicial officers to assess their performance as each officer files a monthly statement on disposal rate, total pendency of cases, the cases that are pending for more than five and 15 years, target achieved and cases stayed by higher courts. In addition, annual statements are also filed, said another judicial officer. The disposal of cases depends on a host of factors including the performance of the judge, the court staff and the cooperation of the lawyers. Taxing the judicial officers alone by adding a rider for availing the eligible leave amounts to a violation of Constitutional rights, felt a woman officer. The KSR doesn't mandate a performance-linked leave-granting system for any government official. The circular discriminates against the judicial officers alone as it has not introduced any such system for any other officials, including those of the Kerala High Court and district courts, argued another officer.
