In November 2026, Uzbekistan will begin an experiment to implement a jury trial system. The first phase of the trial will cover Tashkent and the Tashkent region, with the corresponding provisions included in a state program approved by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's decree on February 16, Gazeta.uz reports.
According to the document, "people's representative boards" – or juries – will be established in the courts of the capital and surrounding region. As part of the pilot project, juries will consider criminal cases involving particularly serious crimes, excluding crimes against peace and security.
The state program also outlines other judicial reforms. Specifically, under the "habeas corpus" institution, there are plans to strengthen judicial oversight during the pre-trial phase. Investigative judges will be granted authority to impose and lift preventive measures such as detention and house arrest.
The government has been tasked with developing measures by June 1 to ensure equal opportunities for both the defense and prosecution sides. One of the proposals is to approve a new procedural document, "Himoya fikri" (Opinion of Defense), allowing defense attorneys to submit a written position to the court simultaneously with the prosecutor’s indictment.
Additionally, the defense will be granted the right to access case materials and make copies at any stage of the pre-investigation and preliminary inquiry, with a few exceptions, such as those involving the protection of victims' rights.
Amendments will also establish free execution of lawyer requests to state bodies, including notary and cadastral services.
Further changes will affect foreign trade transactions: economic courts may be granted the authority to reduce fines for overdue receivables on export contracts if the entrepreneur acted in good faith and took reasonable measures.
Earlier, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev supported the introduction of a system for the declaration of assets by judges and their family members, as well as strengthening compliance controls and transparency in the hiring process for judicial staff. These measures are part of an effort to increase the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts in the country’s judicial system.
