Delhi High Court: No Mandatory Disclosure for Lawyers' AI Tools

• Delhi High Court Justice Prathiba M Singh questioned the need for immediate disclosure requirements for lawyers using artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
• The Supreme Court's draft Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026 propose mandatory disclosure when AI is used to prepare pleadings or evidence.
• The Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association has recommended dropping the proposed requirement for mandatory disclosure of AI use by lawyers.

I think disclosure norms is just going to make lawyers’ life more difficult.

Delhi High Court Justice Prathiba M Singh expressed concerns about the potential impact of requiring lawyers to disclose their use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. During a fireside chat at the International ADR Conference, 2026, she stated that such requirements would increase the compliance burden on lawyers and eventually become another set of templated affidavits.

Justice Singh's remarks come as the Supreme Court is considering draft Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026. The proposed regulations mandate disclosure when lawyers or litigants use AI to prepare pleadings, documents, submissions, or evidence.

The Supreme Court's draft regulations have sparked debate among legal professionals. The Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association (SCAORA) has recommended that the Court drop the proposed requirement for mandatory disclosure of AI use by lawyers. This recommendation highlights the complexity and nuance surrounding the integration of AI in Indian courts.

The Commercial Courts Act and electronic filing system already impose significant technological requirements on lawyers. Justice Singh's comments suggest that adding another layer of disclosure norms could exacerbate these challenges.

Justice Singh's concerns about the potential impact of AI disclosure requirements on lawyers' lives have significant implications for the legal profession in India. As the Supreme Court continues to consider the draft regulations, lawyers practicing in India should be aware of the potential changes and their compliance burden. The integration of AI in Indian courts is a developing area, and stakeholders must carefully weigh the benefits and challenges of increased transparency and accountability.

Lawyers practicing in India should watch for potential changes to the Supreme Court's draft Regulations for Use of Artificial Intelligence in Courts, 2026, which may impact their compliance burden and require disclosure of AI use.

Source: Original reporting via The Hindu