CLA News / CLA Member Book Review Corner

Legal Revolution 5.0 by Mr. Aruneshwar Gupta, Senior Advocate is an insightful and expansive exploration of the evolution of humanity and the irreversible transformation in the structure, processes, or power dynamics of a society, system or institution that naturally led to structuring of legal systems across the world. The Book Cover embodies a picture of a frozen blood drop hinting that revolutions occurred with bloodshed are archaic in nature. The author identifies that conflict free individuals and a conflict free society cannot be based on conflicts, but elements of trust, respect and harmony are an eternal link to revolutionize the future. The author examines how legal frameworks have transformed over time, with paralleling societal, political, epidemics, global and technological advancements. The author believes that the sanaatan (to mean eternal) narrative of the cosmic interplay serves as a timeless reminder of humanity’s ongoing struggles with conflicts disputes, battles, wars, and world wars including nature’s way of dealing with and balancing irresponsible karmas of homo sapiens. The author believes this phenomenon is an eternal and continuous element of the humankind and all the stakeholders must hone themselves and evolve to address new challenges. The book introduces the concept of “Legal Revolution 5.0,” which marks a significant shift towards peace mediation, online dispute resolution, and the integration of artificial intelligence in legal practices. The author argues that legal transformations are as crucial as industrial and technological revolutions, shaping justice systems to meet contemporary needs.

The book is supplemented with a preface setting the background for the book followed by a detailed foreword by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rajesh Bindal, Supreme Court of India terming the book as an indispensable guide for those who seek to understand the past, navigate the present and shape the future of law, and a revitalizing introduction note written by Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.H.M.D Nawaz, Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka calling the book a minefield of provocative thinking and an unputdownable vade mecum once one is seized by it.

The book is structured around five major legal revolutions, each representing a distinct phase in legal development:

1. Legal Revolution 1.0 – The pre-1215 era, characterized by rudimentary legal frameworks before codified law. The author discusses the raw and decentralized legal and justice system governed by traditional values rooted in social systems, adjudicated by heads of family and village elders.
2. Legal Revolution 2.0 – The Magna Carta epoch (1215–1785), which laid the foundation for constitutional law and individual rights. The era where parliamentary systems began replacing absolute monarchy, thereby shifting the focus towards society and individual rights.
3. Legal Revolution 3.0 – The post-American independence period (1785–1985), focusing on judicial independence and the expansion of legal institutions. The focus towards individual rights and constitutional democracies emphasizing on personal freedoms, equality and justice reshaping the relationship between the state and its citizens.
4. Legal Revolution 4.0 – The rise of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and judicial independence (1985–2020). The era of cross-border mechanism for resolving disputes and establishing a more connected, collaborative justice systems catering the world. The rise of globalization.
5. Legal Revolution 5.0 – The modern era, emphasizing online conflict resolution, peace mediation, artificial intelligence in law, shift towards empathy, ethics, technological advancement, reimagining justice as a collaborative, human centered experience, and global legal connectivity.

In addition to the above elements the author goes a step further and lays down theories relating to the philosophical shifts in human perspectives during the tenure of a lifetime, the transition of humankind from materialism and power to self-realization and unity consciousness, as the author draws an interesting analogy of philosophical shifts from 2D to 5D. The author determines the influence and impact of the movies inspiring a shift in human consciousness taking the imagination of the humans to new levels introducing sci-fi elements, technological advancements and stories that reimagine the history of revolutions with a futuristic twist. The author also dwells into several court judgments around the world that reflect emphasis on collaboration with empathy, human dignity, sustainability, compassion, and equity in the legal process, making judicial process or decisions more aligned with human-centered and environmentally responsible principle.

Several other elements like the impact, contribution and importance of the first industrial revolution from 1770 to the fourth industrial revolution 2015 onwards demonstrating how the revolutions have taken place based on human needs; globalization 1.0 to globalization 4.0, discussing the forces driving the globalization from traditional elements of invasion by force to penetration of globalization through digitalization, automations, AI etc.

The author navigates the readers in the smoothest way through the chronology of past, present and future of the comprehensive historical analysis emphasizing the revolutions required to reach the various stages, at the same time keeping the readers interests at the highest peak, by integrating insights from philosophy, sociology, and technology. The author further tames the readers curiosity by including discussions on AI, digital assets, and blockchain adding a contemporary and forward-looking dimension, eventually glueing the reader’s attention by emphasizing on peace mediation as opposed to adversarial legal proceedings to collaborative technology driven dispute settlement.

The book encapsulates and critically discusses several elements to put forward the author’s ultimate thought of peace mediation, laying down guidelines for a foreseeable future for peace mediation. The book lacks discussion on the critics surrounding the propounded theory of peace mediation. Perhaps addressing the opposing views on the author’s proposed thought of peace mediation will help in caressing the reader’s mindset to adopt peace mediation practices. Adoption of a particular system or belief can be accepted only by weighing the pros and cons of the belief system, merely charting through the history may not invoke a revolution to adopt an entirely new belief system unless the opposing views are addressed.

To conclude, Legal Revolution 5.0 is a thought-provoking and meticulously researched book that provides a fresh perspective on legal evolution. The author successfully demonstrates that legal systems, much like industries and economies, undergo revolutions that redefine how justice is delivered. The book’s focus on online dispute resolution, AI, and peace mediation makes it particularly relevant in an era of rapid technological advancements. While dense in certain areas, it is a valuable resource for legal scholars, practitioners, students and anyone interested in learning and deep diving into the past, present and future of law and justice.

Sagar Kulkarni

Advocate, FCIArb, FAIADR & Moksh Varaiya, Student MIT Law College, Pune

Book: Legal Revolution 5.0

Author: Mr. Aruneshwar Gupta, Senior Advocate

Publisher: Law & Justice Publishing Co. Edition 2025.

Distributors: Universal Book Traders.

ISBN: 978-93-48076-91-5