In recent years, large-scale judicial and legal reforms have been consistently implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan, aimed at strengthening democratic principles in the organization of state power, ensuring the rule of law, and providing reliable protection of human rights and freedoms. The independence and effectiveness of the judiciary are, above all, closely linked to the level of professional training of the judicial corps, their moral and ethical qualities, and the standard of modern legal thinking.

From this perspective, the fundamental revision of the system for training personnel in the field of justice and its advancement to a qualitatively new level has emerged as an objective necessity. This need was reflected in the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Presidential decree) PD-141 dated 21 August 2025, “On Measures to Fundamentally Improve the System of Training Highly Qualified Personnel in the Field of Justice.” Pursuant to this Decree, the Academy of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan was established on the basis of the Higher School of Judges under the Supreme Judicial Council of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The establishment of the Academy of Justice represents a historic decision aimed at introducing a fundamentally new institutional model for personnel training within the national judicial system. The Academy functions not merely as an educational institution, but as an integrated center combining judicial and legal policy, scientific research, practical application, and innovation.

Prior to the establishment of the Academy, the training of candidates for judicial positions, as well as the retraining and advanced training of judges and court staff, was carried out by the Higher School of Judges. During the period from 2019 to 2025, this institution achieved certain positive results in the training of judicial personnel. In particular, 680 participants completed the master’s program, a significant proportion of whom were subsequently appointed to judicial positions. In addition, thousands of judges and court staff members completed short-term professional development courses.

At the same time, practice has demonstrated that the new challenges facing the judicial system do not allow for reliance solely on traditional forms of judicial training. A judge must not only possess knowledge of legal norms, but also be capable of making independent decisions in complex procedural situations, demonstrate psychological resilience, and render decisions affecting human destinies based on the principles of justice and the rule of law. These factors constitute the conceptual foundation of the Academy of Justice’s activities.

At the core of the Academy’s mission lies the integration of education, science, and judicial practice. The educational process is organized on the basis of the fundamental principle that “a future judge is trained by a judge.” Within the framework of the “mentor–apprentice” approach, acting judges with extensive practical experience are engaged as instructors. This eliminates the gap between theory and practice and enables the formation of professional skills aligned with real judicial activity.

The educational process at the Academy of Justice relies on modern pedagogical and information and communication technologies. Primary attention is given to developing analytical and critical thinking, a comprehensive approach to legal situations, accurate and uniform application of legal norms, and the skills required for the proper drafting of procedural documents. To this end, education is organized in a dual format based on the principle of “theory – practice – simulation.”

Within the framework of dual education, participants not only attend theoretical classes, but also observe real court hearings, analyze each procedural action of judges, and study interactions among participants in judicial proceedings. In addition, simulations of court proceedings are conducted in specially equipped courtrooms, where participants perform the roles of judge, prosecutor, defense counsel, claimant, respondent, witness, and other procedural actors. This method enables the development of professional skills through practical, rather than purely theoretical, means.

The introduction of “virtual court” training constitutes another vivid example of an innovative approach in the Academy’s educational process. Through virtual court technologies, participants are able to observe court proceedings in real time, analyze judicial decisions, prepare procedural documents, and utilize artificial intelligence technologies. This enhances judges’ readiness to operate effectively in the context of digital transformation.

As of 1 October 2025, the training of candidates for judicial positions has been carried out through six-month professional retraining courses conducted by the Academy. Admission to these courses is organized in a multi-stage process based on the principles of openness, transparency, and impartiality. During the selection process, candidates’ legal knowledge, moral qualities, professional aptitude, and psychological resilience are assessed comprehensively.

The system for the advanced training of judges and court staff has also been enriched with new content. Mandatory periodic professional development has been introduced based on judges’ tenure, performance effectiveness, and rating indicators. This system ensures the continuous updating of judges’ knowledge and skills and facilitates their prompt adaptation to changes in legislation.

Within the framework of the Academy’s activities, particular attention is devoted to the training of managerial personnel. Judges included in the reserve for leadership positions in district, city, and regional courts are required to undergo specialized retraining courses. This contributes to enhancing management efficiency within the judicial system and ensuring that leadership positions are filled by well-prepared and qualified personnel.

An important component of the Academy’s educational process is the formation of the moral and ethical foundations of the judicial profession. Values such as integrity, impartiality, objectivity, loyalty to the law, and intolerance toward corruption are deeply instilled in participants. This ensures adherence not only to legal requirements, but also to high ethical standards in judicial activity.

Beginning with the 2026/2027 academic year, the Academy plans to introduce a practice-oriented master’s program in the specialty “Judicial Activity.” This program will further expand opportunities for training highly qualified specialists in the judicial and legal sphere.

In conclusion, the Academy of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan has established a modern, continuous, and institutionally robust model for training personnel in the national judicial system that is aligned with international standards. The Academy’s activities contribute to strengthening judicial independence, enhancing the professional capacity of the judicial corps, and further increasing public trust in justice. This, in turn, plays a significant role in ensuring the rule of law and the consolidation of justice in the country.