Mapping Legaltech Adoption In Indian Practice: Realities From The Ground
- IJLLR Journal
- Aug 29
- 1 min read
Manvi Sharda, BA LLB, O.P. Jindal Global University
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the real-world adoption of LegalTech among Indian legal practitioners, with particular reference to those in small practices and the district court. It is also noteworthy that the findings reveal that even after significant investment and policy support, including the e-Courts Project and growth in LegalTech startups, the proliferation of such instruments remains superficial. As of March 21, 2025, there were 4,55,10,088 pending cases in District and Subordinate Courts, compared to 62,50,334 in High Courts and 81,598 in the Supreme Court, meaning approximately 87% of all pending cases reside at the district level1. The survey results have shown that most lawyers are still dependent on traditional research platforms like Manupatra and SCC Online, with minimal use of more advanced and workflow- enhancing technologies.
The primary barriers highlighted are digital literacy, lack of affordability, resistance to change, lack of knowledge, and a perception that LegalTech tools serve only elite or corporate use cases. This study reveals that although procedural pain points are evident, they are not matched by meaningful tech integration. The findings suggest that unless the behavioral and systemic elements, especially those of small practitioners, are dealt with, the application of LegalTech in India is prone to multiplying the existing inequities in access to justice and efficiency, instead of solving them.
Keywords: LegalTech, India, Lawyers, Digital Divide, e-Courts, Technology in law, Legal Innovation, AI in law, Small Practices, District Courts.
