New Delhi, September 7, 2025: Supreme Court Justice Manmohan Sarin has expressed dismay that Indian laws are "light-years behind" the rapidly evolving technology. As a consequence, courts are struggling to interpret complex commercial disputes without adequate legal tools (statutes and other legal frameworks), he stated. This remark highlights the widening gap between technological advancements and the legal system in India, posing significant challenges to the judiciary.
Background and Event: Justice Manmohan made this observation during a dialogue program on "Advocacy and Process: Arbitration vs Court" organized jointly by the Nani Palkhivala Arbitration Centre and London's Fountain Chambers in New Delhi. The event discussed the differences between arbitration and court proceedings.Participants in the dialogue included Lord Justice Underhill from the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, Stephen Moriarty KC, and Samudra Sarangi, partner at the law firm Panang and Babu. Alex Taylor, senior clerk at Fountain Court Chambers in London, moderated the session.Levi's Men's Slim Fit Mid Rise 511 Mid-Rise Jeans
Key Points from Justice Manmohan's Speech:
Justice Manmohan elaborated on the disconnect between technology and law in his address.
The main highlights are:
Need for Assistance in Dealing with Technology: "You are dealing with technology you don't understand. You need help. New types of cases are emerging. Technology is moving fast; laws are lagging – light-years behind. Technology has its own subtleties," he remarked.
Gap Between Physical and Virtual Worlds: While laws exist for the physical world, there are no clear laws for the virtual (digital) realm. Earlier, intellectual property (IP) cases revolved around video piracy (illegal copying). Now, issues with foreign servers and digital storage are arising. Therefore, laws must evolve rapidly, he advised.
Flaws in the Indian Arbitration Act: The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, is outdated and has been criticized for not providing adequate standards. This makes courts face challenges in handling complex commercial matters.
Commercial Courts Act: The Commercial Courts Act aims to facilitate business, but institutional use of experts is essential for swift decisions, he emphasized.Bagalkote: Unable to Tolerate Drunk Son's Torment, Father, Mother, and Brother Set Him Ablaze and Killed Him; Three Arrested
Justice Manmohan's statement underscores the challenges in India's judicial system due to technological advancements. Areas like AI, cybercrime, data privacy, and digital IP protection lack updated laws, causing difficulties for courts. It calls for legal reforms, especially in the digital age. The discussion with English judges promotes arbitration as a faster and more efficient alternative to courts.