‘Law and logic’: Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath bets on AI to unlock entrepreneurial gold in India’s legal system

Sharing a very thought-provoking post on X, formerly Twitter, Zerodha’s co-founder Nikhil Kamath has ignited a timely conversation on India’s judicial system and how one can better it.

Kamath, in his post, drew attention to the staggering 5 crore pending cases clogging Indian courts, and notes that artificial intelligence (AI) could very well step in and become the much-needed catalyst not only for speedy resolution but, and more crucially, for building legal systems that truly understand — and serve — people better.

“With AI in the mix, it’s not just about speed of resolving cases — it’s a chance to build systems that truly understand,” Kamath writes, urging entrepreneurs to explore a space “for those who get both law and logic.”

Kamath’s remarks accompany a series of illustrated cards that unpack the complex challenges of India’s legal landscape — from inequality in access to justice to misplaced public priorities — and shows how AI could help rebalance the scales.

Legal Aid Exists—But Is Ignored

Kamath points out a startling contradiction in the way legal services are accessed in India. Citing data from the India Justice Report 2022, he reveals that while 20% of people have the means to access legal resources, only 1% avail themselves of free legal aid. Meanwhile, 19% who are eligible for free legal services still opt for costly private representation — a reflection, he suggests, of deeply entrenched perceptions around credibility and quality.

“Even though the Indian judiciary is extremely fair, there are several loopholes. Not in the judgments, but in the arguments,” one of the cards shared by Kamath reads.

This perception gap, he argues, is exacerbated by societal tendencies to favour image over substance. “The fact that people would prefer fancy suits over legal aid indicates that money tilts the scales of justice,” he adds, hinting at a cultural bias that equates higher cost with better representation — even when alternatives are available.

Justice and Leverage

For Kamath, the problem isn’t entirely systemic. Rather, it’s about leverage — the kind that powerful litigants possess thanks to their resources, knowledge, and access. This imbalance, he suggests, is where AI could prove transformative.

How AI Could Change the Game

According to Kamath, AI models offer a unique opportunity to restore balance in the legal system. A graphic shared in his post outlines the areas where AI can provide significant value for lawyers and litigants alike:

• Human error reduction

• Business innovations and promotion

• Creativity in case strategy and legal research

Citing sources including the Liquid Legal Institute, Oxford Academic, and Alvarez and Marsal, the visual underscores that AI is already being deployed in various jurisdictions to reduce bottlenecks, optimise legal workflows, and enhance decision-making.

Kamath ends his post with a call to action for innovators: a huge opportunity awaits those who understand both law and logic. In a space traditionally resistant to change, legal-tech could become the next frontier — not just in India, but globally.