AI in Legal Translation: A Cautionary Tale by Justice KV Viswanathan
Supreme Court Justice KV Viswanathan recently shed light on the potential pitfalls and promises of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for translating legal documents. During an insightful session at the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre’s Arbitration Week 2026, Justice Viswanathan shared a personal anecdote illustrating the risks involved. The event, themed “Three days, three stakeholders, one vision,” brought together various legal and business professionals to discuss advancements in arbitration.
Justice Viswanathan recounted an amusing yet telling incident where AI was used to translate his first Supreme Court judgment into Hindi. The familiar legal term ‘leave granted’ was erroneously translated to “Chutti swikriti,” suggestively implying that a litigant’s leave was approved rather than acknowledging a special leave petition’s admission for a full appellate hearing. This mistranslation highlighted the nuanced challenges AI faces in legal contexts where precision is paramount.
He noted how AI could be a double-edged sword, offering efficiency in document review and research while posing risks of inaccuracies and confidentiality breaches. Justice Viswanathan emphasized that while AI can aid legal professionals, the responsibility for reasoning and judgments remains a human prerogative.
Concerns Over Arbitration Elitism and the Role of Courts
Justice NV Anjaria critiqued the current arbitration system, arguing that it risks becoming elitist, straying from its original purpose as a cost-effective alternative to litigation. He advocated for party-centric arbitration processes and minimal judicial interference to maintain fairness and accessibility.
Meanwhile, Justice VM Pancholi stressed the essential role of courts in arbitration. He advocated for a balance between speed and fairness, asserting that courts provide necessary oversight to ensure impartiality and due process.
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Calls for Improved Arbitration Infrastructure
Justice PS Narasimha, via a message read by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal, proposed the creation of a Gujarat Arbitration Council. Such a body could enhance transparency and efficiency by managing arbitrator information, fees, and timelines. Justice Narasimha emphasized moving beyond commercial disputes to include broader legal issues in arbitration.
Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal highlighted Gujarat’s economic growth, stressing the need for robust arbitration infrastructure. She announced plans for an international ADR centre at GIFT City and the expansion of the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre.
The event also featured Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who noted the significant impact of arbitration on resolving government contract disputes, thereby facilitating infrastructure development. Justice AY Kogje, President of the Gujarat High Court Arbitration Centre, underscored the event’s goal of uniting judiciary, legal professionals, and industry to bolster institutional arbitration in Gujarat.
