Justice-as-a-Protocol: Designing a Stateless, Scalable, and Self-Enforcing Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) System for 21st Century India

In the face of rising caseloads and the increasing strain on traditional judicial systems, Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) offers a transformative alternative-leveraging technology to deliver faster, more accessible, and cost-effective justice. However, even the most advanced ODR platforms encounter a major constraint: the cognitive burden placed on human adjudicators, particularly retired judges who often serve as arbitrators or mediators. This research proposes a novel AIaugmented ODR framework that synergizes human expertise with machine intelligence. Specifically, it introduces an AI-powered assistant engineered to support retired legal professionals by automating legal summarization, document interpretation, evidence synthesis, and case-history insights. The objective is not to replace human judgment, but to enhance decision-making accuracy, reduce cognitive fatigue, and bridge generational gaps in technology adoption. By merging ethical AI design with judicial experience, this project envisions a future where age, geography, or complexity no longer hinder access to timely and fair dispute resolution.