Kerala High Court AI Mandate 2025: What Every Lawyer Must Know
The Kerala High Court has made history by mandating AI-powered voice-to-text transcription for all courts in the state starting November 1, 2025. If you're a lawyer practicing in Kerala, this affects you directly. Here's everything you need to know.
The Official Mandate
Via an office memorandum dated September 27, 2025, the Kerala High Court directed:
"With effect from November 1, witness depositions shall primarily be recorded using the Adalat AI Voice-to-Text Transcription Tool."
In This Article
What Exactly Changed?
Previously, witness depositions in Kerala courts were recorded through one of these methods:
- • Written by the presiding judge in each court
- • Dictated by the judge in open court
- • Typed by court typist/computer operator at the judge's direction
Starting November 1, 2025, AI voice-to-text transcription becomes the primary method for recording witness depositions across all courts in Kerala.
Timeline
What is Adalat.AI?
Adalat.AI is the speech-to-text transcription tool officially approved by the Kerala High Court for recording witness depositions. Key points:
What It Does
- ✓ Real-time voice-to-text transcription
- ✓ Malayalam language support
- ✓ Court-specific terminology handling
- ✓ Integration with DCMS (District Court Management System)
Support & Training
- • Email: support@adalat.ai
- • eCourt Cell: ecc.kerala@nic.in
- • District Nodal Officers oversee implementation
- • Training available on request
Important: Technical Difficulties
The High Court memorandum states: "In case of any technical difficulty with the Adalat AI platform/tool, courts may seek approval to use any other platform/tool duly approved by the Directorate of IT, High Court, ensuring data security and confidentiality."
Impact on Your Daily Practice
For Litigating Lawyers
If you regularly appear in Kerala courts for witness examinations:
- →Expect faster hearings: AI transcription is significantly faster than manual recording, potentially reducing hearing times.
- →Clearer records: Depositions will be available in the DCMS dashboard for both parties and lawyers.
- →Speaking pace matters: Clear, measured speech will produce better transcriptions. Mumbling or rapid speech may need corrections.
For Your Own Documentation
While Adalat.AI handles court depositions, you still need solutions for:
- • Client intake notes after meetings
- • Legal notice drafting
- • Case file summaries
- • Witness statement preparation (before court)
- • Billing and time tracking
- • Client communication records
For these tasks, you can use personal voice typing tools like MindLink AI.
How to Prepare Before the Mandate
1. Get Comfortable with Voice Typing
If you've never used voice-to-text, start practicing now. Use any voice typing tool for your daily documentation. The more comfortable you are with speaking clearly for transcription, the smoother the courtroom transition will be.
2. Practice Clear Malayalam Diction
AI transcription works best with clear, measured speech. Practice speaking legal Malayalam terms clearly. Avoid mumbling or speaking too rapidly.
3. Familiarize Yourself with DCMS
Depositions will be uploaded to the District Court Case Management System. Make sure you know how to access your dashboard to view transcribed depositions.
4. Contact Your District Nodal Officer
Each district has a Nodal Officer overseeing implementation. Reach out for training sessions or clarifications about the new process.
5. Set Up Personal Documentation Tools
Court depositions are covered, but what about your client notes, legal notices, and case summaries? Set up a voice typing workflow for your personal documentation now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this mandatory for all courts in Kerala?
Yes. The High Court directive applies to all courts and tribunals across Kerala, not just specific districts.
What if the AI tool fails during a hearing?
Courts can seek approval to use alternative platforms/tools approved by the Directorate of IT. The key requirement is ensuring data security and confidentiality.
Will I need to review and sign the AI transcription?
Yes. The memorandum states depositions must be "duly recorded, endorsed and signed" before being uploaded to DCMS. The AI assists with transcription; human verification remains.
Does this apply to arbitration or private proceedings?
The mandate specifically covers courts and tribunals. Private arbitration or mediation proceedings may have their own rules.
I'm not tech-savvy. How will I cope?
The court handles the Adalat.AI system — you don't need to operate it yourself. For your own documentation, tools like MindLink AI are designed to be simple: just open the website, tap the mic, and speak Malayalam.
Practice Voice Typing Today
Don't wait until November. Get comfortable with voice-to-text now. Use MindLink AI for your client notes, legal notices, and case documentation.