Punjab & Haryana High Court Reprimands Lawyers For Using AI, Google On Phone To Answer Queries During Hearing; Seizes Device

In a stern move, the Punjab and Haryana High Court reprimanded lawyers for using artificial intelligence tools and Google on their mobile phones to respond to Court's queries during arguments.

Taking serious note of the conduct, the court seized the mobile device of one of the lawyers for a certain time, underscoring that such practices is "unacceptable".

Justice Sanjay Vashisth said, "Such a practice is wholly unacceptable on two counts. Firstly, the use of mobile phone while addressing the arguments in the Court reflects a discourteous and unprofessional attitude, which cannot be condoned. Secondly, unlike iPads or laptops, which are considered professional tools integrated with the office setup and case files, mobile phones are not regarded as acceptable devices for use during arguments in the Court proceedings."

In another case, when the Court asked a query from Lawyer, he took out his mobile phone to answer, to which the judge said it "ought to have been collected by the learned counsel in advance to the hearing, while preparing the case for arguments."

The Court said it is  "concerned and bothered time and again by the respective members of the Bar using mobile phones during the course of hearing, just in front of the Court. Even sometimes, proceedings are to be stalled, awaiting the answer, which would come only after retrieving information from such mobile phone."

It was recalled that in one case a similar situation had arisen and a mobile phone was seized.

Hence it said let the present order be also supplied, so that the President/Secretary of the Bar Association may apprise the members not to compel the Court to pass any harsh order on account of repeated use of mobile phones during the course of hearing to update themselves through artificial intelligence/online platforms/google information.

First Case Title: RXXXXX v. State of Haryana 

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Second Case Title: Ravneet Singh v. UT of Chandigarh

Click here to read order