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SCC: Holds true to its full form. Amazing for Supreme Court Cases, and research on general constitutional issues (Probably the MVP for college moot courts) but terrible database once you become a working professional. Haven't touched it in years.
Probably the second best search function
Manupatra: The GOAT. They got back assisted search. Probably the largest database anywhere. Obviously, this makes the search function less effective, but once you are able to understand keyword searches and operators, you have unlimited potential.
Taxmann: By FAR, the best search function of any website, period. Most relevant cases show up first, interactive timeline works flawlessly.
Unfortunate that it's database is good only for tax (not sure about competition). But every tax person can vouch for this.
Indiankanoon: The only website with a larger database than Manupatra. Greatest advantage is that it not only has judgements, but also interim orders, which are essential for litigation folk, but not offered by anyone else.
Obviously, the impossibly large database makes the search function essentially useless. Takes very specific keywords and prompts to use effectively.
Essentially whatever you're looking for is 99% there in Indiankanoon, but finding it can be like finding a needle in a haystack.
My 2 cents on AI for legal research: We will be getting screwed.. eventually.
But for now, AI can not do legal research (except select propositions of law which have a lot of material on the internet).
The benefit we have is that Indian Judgements are very poorly drafted. Oftentimes, there is no clear bifurcation between arguments advanced, excerpts from other judgements and findings of the court. You need an individual to actually read them to figure out what the ratio decendi is.
However, with another major leap, I definitely foresee research work becoming obsolete. Maybe 3-4 years.
PS: my opinion on AI is based on my use of various tools including but not limited to Jurisphere, chatgpt, Harvey and Lucio (Very invested in whether my job is becoming obsolete so went out of my way to try them out).