Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on 21 August signed a decree aimed at fundamentally improving the system for training highly qualified specialists in the field of justice.

According to the document, an Academy of Justice will be established on the basis of the Higher School of Judges. The new institution will operate under the Supreme Judicial Council as a specialized state organization with legal status. Management of the Academy will be entrusted to a rector appointed by the President.

Funding for the Academy is planned to come from the state budget, tuition fees, research grants, and resources received through international cooperation. A separate incentive fund will be created to motivate faculty and staff.

The Academy will focus on preparing candidates for judicial positions, enhancing the qualifications of serving judges, and training personnel of the judicial apparatus. From 1 October 2025, candidates for judicial positions will undergo six-month professional retraining courses funded by a state grant. The educational process will follow a “theory-practice-simulation” approach, including practical training within law enforcement agencies, legal advocacy, and expert institutions.

Mandatory professional development programs will be introduced for judges and court staff. Judges with a five-year appointment term will undergo training every two years, judges with a ten-year term — every three years, and Supreme Court judges and court leaders — at least once every three years. Judges with low performance indicators will be required to attend additional refresher courses.

Special two-month courses are planned for judges in the talent pool aspiring to leadership positions; successful completion of these courses will be a prerequisite for appointment to managerial posts.

The educational process will employ modern training methods, including a “Virtual Court” format that allows real-time observation of court proceedings and analysis of judges’ actions. Candidates and current judges will gain skills in working with modern information technologies and artificial intelligence, enabling the optimization of judicial procedures and increasing their efficiency.

The training programs will combine professional knowledge with the development of high ethical standards and anti-corruption mechanisms, ensuring that Academy graduates become symbols of justice and responsibility.

In addition to educational activities, the Academy will conduct research aimed at improving judicial legislation, utilizing the Supreme Court’s information system, “Adolat.”

Active cooperation is planned with foreign educational and research centers, including participation of faculty and students in international internships and professional development programs, as well as facilitating the entry of foreign experts into Uzbekistan with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Cabinet of Ministers will ensure by the end of 2025 the reconstruction of the Academy’s buildings, equipping them with modern technologies and educational resources. Starting from the 2026/2027 academic year, the institution will launch a new one-year master’s program in “Judicial Activity.”