Punjab & Haryana High Court Bans Use of AI Tools for Judgements and Legal Research

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued clear directions prohibiting the use of Artificial Intelligence tools by judicial officers for writing judgements or conducting legal research. The instruction applies to courts across Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

The decision was communicated through an official letter addressed to District and Sessions Judges. They have been directed to ensure that all judicial officers under their supervision strictly follow these instructions without exception.

The High Court specifically mentioned several AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Copilot, Meta tools and similar technologies. The prohibition is not limited to a few tools but extends broadly to all forms of AI assistance in judicial work.

The communication states, “Hon’ble the Chief Justice has been pleased to ask you to direct the Judicial Officers working under your control not to use Artificial Intelligence tools including but not limited to Chat GPT, Gemini, Copilot, Meta etc. for writing of judgements and legal research. Any violation of these instructions will be viewed seriously.”

This direction highlights the Court’s concern over maintaining the integrity and independence of judicial reasoning. It reflects an effort to ensure that decisions are based on human application of law, judicial experience and established legal principles rather than automated outputs.

The move comes at a time when AI tools are becoming increasingly common in professional environments, including the legal field. However, courts appear cautious about relying on such technologies in core judicial functions, especially where accuracy, accountability and reasoning are critical.

The High Court has also made it clear that non-compliance will not be taken lightly. Any breach of these directions may invite serious consequences, signalling strict enforcement of the policy.

A similar stance was recently taken by the Gujarat High Court, which introduced a policy restricting the use of AI tools in judicial decision-making. That policy also placed responsibility on judges and court staff for any AI-assisted work.

Together, these developments indicate a growing judicial trend in India towards regulating the use of AI in courts. While technology continues to evolve, courts are prioritising caution to preserve fairness, transparency and trust in the justice delivery system.