Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha K. Koome Applauds India’s Ability to Translate Judgments Using AI

A Supreme Court of Kenya delegation led by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kenya, Justice Martha K. Koome, EGH, paid a visit to President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday and held discussions with Professor SP Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Law and Justice, and Ministry officials.

Following the discussions, Kenya’s Chief Justice praised the Indian judiciary’s ability to translate judgements using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Recently, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud launched a mission to use AI to translate Supreme Court judgements into regional languages, with the goal of making justice more accessible to the general public. CJI Chandrachud stated that English in its legal form was incomprehensible to 99.9% of the citizens. Following the Supreme Court, many High Courts began publishing translations of the judgements written in English language.

“We are impressed by India’s ability to translate judgements using emerging technology such as Artificial Intelligence,” stated Kenya’s Chief Justice.

“Kenya and India face distinct challenges that necessitate novel solutions to ensure access to justice, such as eCourts and eFiling systems. We have agreed to work together on judicial training, geospatial mapping of judicial infrastructure, ICT enhancement, and people-centered justice solutions,” Chief Justice Martha K. Koome, using her official handle, tweeted.

The President welcomed the delegation to Rashtrapati Bhavan, saying that Kenya is a country with which India has long had friendly relations. The President emphasised that Justice Koome is Kenya’s first female Chief Justice. She praised her efforts to make justice accessible to all and to empower Kenyan women.

Chief Justice Martha K Koome expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the Indian President on International Day of Women Judges.

“This year’s International Day of Women Judges reaffirms the importance of continuing to advocate for more women in the justice system. To secure, champion, and nurture intergenerational co-leadership, we must build a conscious south-south movement of women leaders. I celebrate all woman jurists in Kenya, the global south, and around the world and extend my assurance to continue paving the way for more women and girls to hold highest positions of power in law and justice. We will work together to address the special justice needs of women and girls, particularly in the area of Sexual and Gender Based Violence,” Kenya’s Chief Justice tweeted.

Later in the day, Minister of State (Law and Justice) Professor SP Singh Baghel and Ministry officials met with a delegation led by Kenya’s Chief Justice.

Sh. Rajinder Kashyap, Add. Secretary, DoJ, detailed the constitutional provisions concerning Appointments of Judges in the Judiciary and also briefed on the Judicial Infrastructure Scheme, eCourts, and other initiatives of the Department of Justice that made Access to Justice easier.

Dr. Rajiv Mani, Additional Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, explained the Department’s operations, mentioned the Law Commission of India’s operations, briefed initiatives such as ADR and the Mediation Bill, and echoed the MoS’s invitation to take benefit of IIAC for trade-related disputes.

Dr. Reeta Vasishtha, Secretary, Legislative Department, explained the department’s operations and how it assists the Election Commission of India in the procurement of EVMs, VVPAT, and bringing transparency to the electoral process; she also provided information on research on drafting laws.