NJPMC issues national guidelines for AI use in judicial institutions

ISLAMABAD: The National Judicial Policy Making Committee (NJPMC) has formally issued national guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in judicial institutions, according to a Supreme Court press release issued on Wednesday.

The statement said the guidelines were approved during the NJPMC’s 57th meeting and set out what it described as a clear, principled and forward-looking framework for the integration of AI into judicial processes across Pakistan.

According to the Supreme Court, the framework comes at a time when courts are dealing with rising caseloads and growing demands for efficiency and transparency. The statement said the guidelines present AI as an assistive tool intended to improve judicial performance while preserving human judgment, constitutional protections and judicial independence.

“At a time when courts faced mounting caseloads and increasing demands for efficiency and transparency, the guidelines positioned AI as a powerful assistive tool — one that enhances judicial performance while firmly preserving human judgment, constitutional safeguards, and judicial independence.”

Key features of the framework

The press release said the guidelines adopt a human-centred approach under which AI is to support, rather than replace, judicial decision-making. Judges would remain the ultimate arbiters.

The framework also emphasises ethical and transparent use of AI, with safeguards aimed at preventing bias and with a focus on explainability and accountability, the statement said.

On data protection, the Supreme Court said the guidelines require strict compliance with privacy and data security standards for litigants and other stakeholders. The framework also identifies practical uses for AI-enabled support in case management, legal research, predictive analytics and document processing.

The statement further said the guidelines include a capacity-building component, under which structured training will be provided to judges and court staff for the responsible adoption of emerging technologies.

Consultative process and implementation

According to the press release, the framework was prepared through an extensive consultative process led by the National Judicial Automation Committee (NJAC), headed by Supreme Court Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar. The statement added that feedback from all high courts and expert institutions was incorporated into the final document.

The Supreme Court said the guidelines are aligned with international best practices while remaining grounded in Pakistan’s constitutional and institutional setting.

It also aligns with international best practices while remaining firmly rooted in Pakistan’s constitutional and institutional context.

The statement said that while the guidelines establish a unified national standard, they also recognise the administrative and judicial autonomy of the high courts, allowing each jurisdiction to adapt implementation according to its own requirements and capacities.

Describing the move as part of Pakistan’s broader judicial reform efforts, the Supreme Court said the initiative seeks to balance technological advancement with the core principles of justice, fairness and independence.

“The initiative marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s judicial reform journey — striking a careful balance between technological innovation and the enduring principles of justice, fairness and independence.”