President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with the heads of the judicial system to discuss the results of judicial and legal reforms and priority tasks in this area. During the meeting, the 'Justice 2030' strategy, aimed at developing courts by 2030, was presented. This was reported by the presidential press service.
The strategy encompasses 57 tasks, 160 measures planned for 2026–2028, and 33 goals to be achieved by 2030. According to the document, five interregional courts will be established starting July 1, 2027. Regional courts will retain appellate and cassation instances, while the powers of the revision instance will be transferred to interregional courts.
This is expected to put an end to a court reviewing its own decision and reduce the need for citizens to travel to the capital in search of justice. Additionally, civil courts will be gradually established in nearly all districts and cities as needed by 2030.
Courts will implement a 'single window' principle for obtaining information, submitting applications, and using digital services. If an application is filed with the wrong court, it will not be returned to the citizen. The court itself will forward the documents to the appropriate court. If minor deficiencies are found in the application, the court will assist the citizen in correcting them.
To protect human rights during investigation and inquiry, the 'reasonable suspicion' standard will be introduced. An investigative judge will be able to verify the legality of detention, the sufficiency of grounds for suspicion or accusation, and request necessary additional documents. This is aimed at preventing unjustified restriction of personal liberty.
To ensure uniform judicial practice, an open 'Register of Precedents' covering decisions of the Supreme Court Presidium will be maintained. Starting in 2028, the 'judicial administration' institute will be introduced to free judges from organizational tasks unrelated to the administration of justice.
The 'Digital Court' concept will be fully implemented in all courts. It is planned that at least 50% of court applications will be submitted electronically, and 100% of court sessions will be recorded in audio format.
Additionally, a 'proactive management of economic cases' standard will be introduced for the prompt resolution of economic disputes. This is aimed at reducing the need for entrepreneurs to go from one office to another and repeatedly submit documents.
The strategy also includes expanding mediation and reconciliation mechanisms, maintaining an open register of administrative acts declared illegal, and increasing the number of criminal cases considered with the participation of a 'board of people's representatives' to at least three.
The meeting also addressed improving constitutional court proceedings, effectively organizing the activities of the judicial community, strengthening judicial independence, and enhancing the qualifications of judicial personnel abroad.
Source: www.gazeta.uz