Justice Abha Nayar Patel of the Zambia Supreme Court said technology should be adopted in courts only if it enhances fairness and improves access to justice.
Justice Patel Calls for Responsible Adoption of Technology in the Justice System
Technology should be embraced by courts only when it strengthens fairness and expands access to justice, Justice Abha Nayar Patel of the Supreme Court of Zambia said on Thursday. Stressing that innovation must serve the core objectives of the justice system, she cautioned that introducing digital tools without proper safeguards could simply reinforce existing inequalities rather than eliminate them.
Speaking on the growing role of technology in judicial administration, Justice Patel emphasised that every technological innovation should be evaluated against two fundamental questions before being implemented in courts.
“Every innovation we adopt in the justice sector must pass through two filters before it reaches the courtroom. Does it improve the fairness of the outcome? And does it improve access to that outcome for those who need it the most?” she said.
Her remarks come at a time when judicial systems across the world are increasingly adopting digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, electronic filing systems, virtual hearings and automated case management tools. While these technologies promise greater efficiency, they have also sparked debates about transparency, accountability and equal access to justice.
Justice Patel warned that technological progress should never become an objective in itself. Instead, she said, innovation must remain focused on improving the quality of justice delivered to citizens, particularly those who face social, economic or geographical barriers in accessing courts.
According to her, digitisation without careful planning can unintentionally deepen existing disparities. Communities with limited internet access, inadequate digital literacy or insufficient technological infrastructure may find themselves excluded from systems that are designed to make justice more efficient.
Her observations underscore the need for judicial institutions to adopt a people-centric approach while implementing technological reforms. Digital platforms should simplify legal processes, reduce delays and make court services more accessible without compromising procedural fairness or the rights of litigants.
Justice Patel also highlighted that trust remains one of the judiciary’s most valuable assets. Any technology introduced into the justice system must therefore operate in a transparent and accountable manner so that litigants and the public retain confidence in judicial outcomes. Efficiency, she suggested, cannot come at the expense of fairness or due process.
The comments reflect a growing international conversation on the responsible use of technology in courts. Several jurisdictions have accelerated digital transformation following the COVID-19 pandemic, introducing online hearings, electronic documentation and virtual case management. While these reforms have improved convenience and reduced administrative burdens, legal experts continue to stress the importance of ensuring that technology complements rather than replaces judicial reasoning.
Justice Patel’s remarks also highlight that technological tools should assist judges instead of influencing judicial independence. Decisions affecting legal rights and obligations must continue to be guided by law, evidence and judicial discretion, with technology functioning only as an enabling mechanism.
Experts believe that responsible digital transformation requires robust cybersecurity measures, protection of sensitive judicial data and continuous training for judges, lawyers and court staff. Equally important is ensuring that vulnerable sections of society are not disadvantaged because of technological barriers.
As courts worldwide continue to modernise, Justice Patel’s observations reinforce a fundamental principle: innovation in the justice sector should be measured not by the sophistication of technology but by its ability to deliver fairer outcomes and broader access to justice. The future of judicial technology, she suggested, must remain anchored in constitutional values, public trust and equal justice for all.
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