CHANGEMAKERS: The AI-based tool created by Vikas Mahendra, Vinay Mahendra and Badarivishal Kinhal was used to transcribe proceedings of a case concerning the Maharashtra political crisis
(This story originally appeared in 
on Feb 26, 2023)BENGALURU: The Supreme Court scripted history this week by deploying an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tool to start live transcription of proceedings. The move, which is said to modernise the legal landscape using technology, has a Bengaluru connection.
Three Bengalureans, Vikas Mahendra, his brother Vinay Mahendra and brother-in-law Badarivishal Kinhal, have developed TERES (Technology Enabled RESolution), the AI engine that converted court arguments into text during live proceedings pertaining to the constitution bench hearing on the Maharashtra political controversy on Tuesday (February 21). By the end of the day, the apex court officially published the transcript on its website.
Though undertaken on an experimental basis, legal luminaries endorsed it as a technology-first approach to legal transcription that would increase accountability and transparency as every word in the court gets recorded.
"It has been an interesting and dramatic ride," said 37-year-old Vikas, an arbitration specialist who has worked in several countries, including Singapore, and co-founder of city-based Nomology Technology Private Limited.
"In countries like the US, UK and Singapore, there is live transcription of arbitration proceedings. But that is not the case in India. Five years ago, while at the dinner table, I was discussing with Vinay and Kinhal the need for introducing technological solutions to transcribe hearings, and thus, TERES was born. Using AI's Natural Language Processing capabilities, we started converting speech into text," he explained. Vinay, who was an engineering graduate from RV College, took charge of the technology aspect and Kinhal became the operations head.
But their journey took an interesting turn during the Delhi Arbitration Weekend, held from February 16 to 19, where Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasised on transcription services in legal proceedings.
"It was at the same event that we were doing live transcription and CJI Chandrachud was pleasantly surprised when he heard about it. He called us and asked if we could do transcription on a trial basis for the constitution bench (comprising five judges) that was deciding Maharashtra's political controversy. We decided to take a plunge and the CJI, who was committed to reforming the legal landscape, got his men to act at lightning speed. We cancelled our return trip to Bengaluru, stayed back and set up the infrastructure. On Tuesday, the court transcript was published for the first time," Vikas said. The feedback has been excellent and the high courts of Karnataka, Odisha and Kerala have shown interest, he added.
About the transcription technology, Vikas said it is a win-win for all stakeholders. First, lawyers have to be cautious while arguing the case and have to choose and weigh their words, which will ensure accountability. Second, clients will have a better idea of what their lawyer is speaking. Third, judges cannot make flippant remarks. Fourth, lawyers can ensure t all their arguments are taken note of.
This apart, transcription plays a major role in multi-day hearings as it becomes easy for lawyers to refer to the notes on arguments in the last hearing. It also improves the judicial system as it provides a window for young lawyers and law students to take note of how the case was argued.
(This story originally appeared in on Feb 26, 2023)
on Feb 26, 2023)BENGALURU: The Supreme Court scripted history this week by deploying an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tool to start live transcription of proceedings. The move, which is said to modernise the legal landscape using technology, has a Bengaluru connection.
Three Bengalureans, Vikas Mahendra, his brother Vinay Mahendra and brother-in-law Badarivishal Kinhal, have developed TERES (Technology Enabled RESolution), the AI engine that converted court arguments into text during live proceedings pertaining to the constitution bench hearing on the Maharashtra political controversy on Tuesday (February 21). By the end of the day, the apex court officially published the transcript on its website.
"It has been an interesting and dramatic ride," said 37-year-old Vikas, an arbitration specialist who has worked in several countries, including Singapore, and co-founder of city-based Nomology Technology Private Limited.
"In countries like the US, UK and Singapore, there is live transcription of arbitration proceedings. But that is not the case in India. Five years ago, while at the dinner table, I was discussing with Vinay and Kinhal the need for introducing technological solutions to transcribe hearings, and thus, TERES was born. Using AI's Natural Language Processing capabilities, we started converting speech into text," he explained. Vinay, who was an engineering graduate from RV College, took charge of the technology aspect and Kinhal became the operations head.
But their journey took an interesting turn during the Delhi Arbitration Weekend, held from February 16 to 19, where Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasised on transcription services in legal proceedings.
"It was at the same event that we were doing live transcription and CJI Chandrachud was pleasantly surprised when he heard about it. He called us and asked if we could do transcription on a trial basis for the constitution bench (comprising five judges) that was deciding Maharashtra's political controversy. We decided to take a plunge and the CJI, who was committed to reforming the legal landscape, got his men to act at lightning speed. We cancelled our return trip to Bengaluru, stayed back and set up the infrastructure. On Tuesday, the court transcript was published for the first time," Vikas said. The feedback has been excellent and the high courts of Karnataka, Odisha and Kerala have shown interest, he added.
About the transcription technology, Vikas said it is a win-win for all stakeholders. First, lawyers have to be cautious while arguing the case and have to choose and weigh their words, which will ensure accountability. Second, clients will have a better idea of what their lawyer is speaking. Third, judges cannot make flippant remarks. Fourth, lawyers can ensure t all their arguments are taken note of.
This apart, transcription plays a major role in multi-day hearings as it becomes easy for lawyers to refer to the notes on arguments in the last hearing. It also improves the judicial system as it provides a window for young lawyers and law students to take note of how the case was argued.
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