Introduction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for enhancing the judicial system of Bangladesh through faster case disposal, better access to justice, and increased transparency. However, for a developing country with a complex legal and socio-political fabric, implementing AI must be strategic, ethical, and inclusive.
Why the Roadmap of AI in the Judiciary of Bangladesh is Necessary?
A roadmap is necessary to ensure that the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the judiciary is strategic, transparent, and aligned with constitutional principles. Without a clear roadmap, efforts may be fragmented, ethically problematic, or technologically unsuitable for the local context. A well-structured roadmap can:
- Address case backlog and delay,
- Enhance access to justice,
- Promote efficiency and transparency, and
- Prevent misuse or over-reliance on AI that may compromise human rights or judicial independence.
How does the Roadmap of AI in the Judiciary of Bangladesh develop?
The roadmap for implementing AI in the judiciary of Bangladesh is developed through a phased and strategic approach that includes:
- Legal and policy groundwork – Identifying the need for AI laws, data privacy rules, and ethical safeguards.
- Digital infrastructure development – Digitizing case files, court records, and enabling secure cloud-based systems.
- Capacity building – Training judges, lawyers, and court staff in AI tools and digital literacy.
- Pilot projects – Introducing AI tools for case management, legal research, and judgment summarization.
- Ethical oversight – Forming committees to ensure AI tools are transparent, unbiased, and constitutionally compliant.
- Full-scale implementation and monitoring – Gradually expanding AI use while continuously reviewing and improving systems.
The roadmap must be built through collaboration among the judiciary, government ministries, technologists, legal experts, and civil society, ensuring that AI strengthens—not replaces—human judgment.
Roadmap of Artificial Intelligent (AI) in the Judiciary of Bangladesh
Here is a draft roadmap of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the application in the Judiciary of Bangladesh, tailored for presentation or submission by a law student. This roadmap reflects an academic perspective but is informed by practical realities, ethical considerations, and global best practices.
Phase 1: Foundation Building (2025–2027)
1. Legal & Policy Framework Development
- Draft a National AI Policy for Justice Sector, under the Ministry of Law, in consultation with the Supreme Court.
- Enact laws ensuring data privacy, AI accountability, and ethical AI use in justice delivery.
- Include AI-related amendments in existing procedural laws (e.g., CPC, CrPC, Evidence Act).
2. Digital Infrastructure Enhancement
- Digitize all judicial records and case files, prioritizing subordinate courts.
- Establish centralized databases of judgments, orders, FIRs, and case histories using secure cloud architecture.
- Improve cybersecurity of judicial systems to protect sensitive legal data.
3. Capacity Building
- Train judges, lawyers, and court staff in AI basics, digital tools, and data interpretation.
- Introduce LegalTech and AI modules in LLB, LLM, and Judicial Training courses.
- Create public awareness on AI use in legal services.
Phase 2: Pilot Projects & Ethical AI Introduction (2028–2030)
4. Launch Pilot AI Tools in Judiciary
- Case Management AI: Automate cause lists, schedule hearings, and track adjournments.
- Judgment Summarization AI: Provide Bengali summaries of long judgments to improve accessibility.
- Legal Research AI: Help judges/lawyers quickly retrieve relevant precedents using NLP (Natural Language Processing).
5. Develop AI-assisted ADR Mechanisms
- Build Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platforms for minor civil and family disputes.
- Integrate AI chatbots to guide litigants through ADR procedures.
6. Establish an Ethics Committee
- Form a Judicial AI Ethics Committee to evaluate algorithms used, ensure fairness, avoid bias, and recommend guidelines.
- Publish ethical AI usage guidelines, inspired by international frameworks (e.g., EU AI Act, UNESCO AI Ethics).
Phase 3: Advanced Implementation & Scaling (2031–2035)
7. Intelligent Decision Support Systems
- Use AI for predictive case analytics to identify backlog trends and suggest interventions.
- Support judges with AI-assisted bail/release/review recommendations, ensuring transparency in reasoning.
8. Judicial Performance Monitoring
- Develop dashboards using AI to monitor:
- Case backlog trends
- Judge-wise disposal rates
- Delay indicators across courts
9. AI-Powered Citizen Services
- Public-facing platforms for:
- Tracking case status in Bengali
- Accessing plain-language legal information
- Receiving legal aid suggestions via AI-powered systems
Phase 4: Constitutional and Ethical Safeguards (2035 onwards)
10. Ensure Human-in-the-Loop Justice
- Enshrine the principle of human finality: AI should never deliver binding judgments.
- Ensure every AI-assisted tool is subject to judicial review and human discretion.
11. Constitutional Integration
- Interpret Article 27 (equality before law) and Article 35 (due process) to include algorithmic fairness and transparency.
- Explore the need for a constitutional amendment or interpretation ensuring that AI respects fundamental rights.
12. Regional & International Cooperation
- Collaborate with SAARC nations for knowledge sharing on Judicial AI models.
- Join global ethical AI forums like AI for Good, Hague Institute for Innovation of Law, etc.
Conclusion
The responsible integration of AI in Bangladesh’s judiciary can revolutionize justice delivery. However, this transformation must be cautious, constitutional, and citizen-centric. As future lawyers, judges, and scholars, law students must engage critically with AI’s potential and limitations, ensuring that technology serves justice, not the other way around.
Annex: Suggested Timeline
| Phase | Key Goals | Timeline |
| Phase 1 | Legal groundwork, infrastructure, training | 2025–2027 |
| Phase 2 | Pilot AI tools, ADR, ethics framework | 2028–2030 |
| Phase 3 | Scale-up AI, predictive analytics, citizen tools | 2031–2035 |
| Phase 4 | Constitutional and ethical safeguarding | 2035 onward |