Content of the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 21 August 2025 No. PF-141
“On Measures to Fundamentally Improve the System of Training Highly Qualified Personnel in the Field of Administration of Justice”

In order to further enhance the system of training highly qualified personnel in the field of administration of justice on the basis of international standards, ensure an integrated connection between education, scientific research and judicial practice, as well as form a professional judicial corps, on 21 August 2025 the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan adopted the Decree “On Measures to Fundamentally Improve the System of Training Highly Qualified Personnel in the Field of Administration of Justice”.

This Decree is a landmark document that launched a new stage in developing human resources for the judiciary and legal system. It provides for the transformation of the Higher School of Judges into the Academy of Justice and the introduction of qualitatively new standards for the professional training of judges.

Pursuant to the Decree, the Academy of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been established based on the Higher School of Judges. The Academy operates under the Higher Judicial Council as a specialized state educational and research institution with legal entity status.

The educational process at the Academy is organized following the “mentor–apprentice” tradition based on the principle “a future judge should be trained by a sitting judge.” Accordingly, experienced and highly competent judges are involved as faculty members while retaining their judicial status with the possibility of returning directly to practical judicial positions. This approach ensures the transfer of practical judicial knowledge and skills from active judges to the next generation.

The Decree stipulates that starting from 1 October 2025, the preparation of candidates for judicial positions shall be organized in the form of six-month state-funded professional retraining programs at the Academy, according to relevant judicial specializations.

Admission to professional retraining programs includes several evaluation stages, such as verification of a candidate’s impeccable reputation, integrity and professional aptitude, assessment of competencies through testing, as well as a written examination and an individual interview conducted by an inter-agency commission.

A new principle of training judicial candidates is introduced, whereby professional retraining programs are implemented in a dual education format based on the concept of “theory — practice — simulation.”

In line with this concept, the Academy ensures the direct participation of trainees in the activities of law enforcement bodies, the bar, and forensic institutions. In addition, “virtual court” exercises are introduced, allowing trainees to observe court hearings in real time.

According to the Decree, the Academy also introduces a compulsory and periodic judicial training system. Judges appointed for a five-year term must complete professional development programs at least once every two years for not less than two weeks; judges appointed for a ten-year term — at least once every three years for two weeks or more; judges of the Supreme Court, court chairpersons, and judges appointed for an indefinite term — at least once every three years for at least one week.

Furthermore, judges with low performance evaluation scores are mandatorily directed to extraordinary professional development programs of at least two weeks. Staff members of the court system must undergo professional development not less than once every two years for at least one week.

This mandatory training system ensures the continuous renewal of judicial knowledge and competency, awareness of legislative and practical developments, and maintenance of high professional standards within the judicial corps.

In addition, judges included in the reserve for future appointment to managerial positions in district (city) and regional courts must complete leadership retraining programs lasting up to two months.

It is established as a general rule that managerial positions in district (city) and regional courts shall be filled exclusively by those judges who have successfully completed leadership retraining programs. This rule is intended to enhance court management efficiency and ensure that designated leaders have undergone specialized preparation.

Beginning with the 2026/2027 academic year, the Academy will launch a practical-oriented Master’s program in “Judicial Activity.” The program will be delivered in both full-time and evening modes, thereby expanding educational opportunities for various categories of learners.

The Decree also establishes several benefits for trainees. Trainees admitted to professional retraining programs retain their primary job position throughout the training period and are paid a monthly stipend equivalent to one month of remuneration of a judge’s assistant.

At the same time, trainees who fail to master the educational program or do not pass the final assessment successfully, as well as graduates who fail to apply for a vacant judicial position within three years or refuse an offered judicial position, are required to fully reimburse to the State budget the amount of stipend received during the training period.

This mechanism ensures responsible engagement in the training process and guarantees that only those genuinely committed to serving as judges enter and successfully complete the program.

The Presidential Decree of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 21 August 2025 No. PD-141 establishes a fundamentally new system of training highly qualified personnel for the judiciary and represents an important step in ongoing judicial-legal reforms. The measures envisaged by the Decree aim to elevate the professional level of the judicial corps to international standards, ensuring that judges are independent, competent, and honest, and capable of effectively applying modern technologies. Ultimately, this will contribute to stronger protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens, increased public trust in the judicial system, and the consolidation of justice in society.