Supreme Court of Uzbekistan launched its news official website (www.supcourt.uz, www.oliysud.uz), including a wide range of information and interactive services.
One of the major directions of the judiciary reform in Uzbekistan is the widespread introduction of information and communication technologies in court activities. Introduction of ICTs in justice system is not only aimed at improving the workflow and efficiency of the judges, but also at ensuring wide public access to information about the activities of the courts, thus laying out foundation for improved access to justice for all.
Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the openness of the activities of government bodies” adopted in 2014 and based on the National Concept of further deepening of democratic reforms and creation of civil society in the country announced by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2010, set the openness of courts and introduction of ICT in their activities as a priority.
The widespread introduction of ICTs in courts, along with the expansion of online interactive public services improves workflow, allows to achieve a fundamentally new level of openness and access to justice, promotes the full realization of citizens’ constitutional rights to legal protection, while ensuring integrity and effectiveness of the courts.
Given the constantly growing number of Internet users, the role and importance of official web site as the electronic media is growing. The website can become an important tool in ensuring transparency and openness of justice system, its interaction with citizens as well as the level of legal literacy of the population.
One of the advantages of the new official website of the Supreme Court is a wide range of information and interactive services available to users. In particular, On-line reception, Digital library, Interactive map of the courts of general jurisdiction, as well as such features as the online submission of applications for vacant judge positions, a list of frequently asked questions about the judicial system and other services.
In particular, the On-line reception, upon registration, allows citizens to file their inquiries according to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On appeals of physical and legal entities”, and receive responses in their specified email address. This feature of the new website allows for an improved interaction between the Supreme Court and the public.
Through Interactive map, users can find out the location, contact information, as well as banking information, necessary for the payment of state fees, of the relevant courts, and other detailed information on the courts of general jurisdiction.
Digital Library of the provides users with a database of various publications, print materials, articles, analytical papers, briefs, statistical data, surveys and other resources, as well as information about the authors. This section will be maintained by the Supreme Court Research Center, while the uploaded materials will be available for download.
It should be noted that the new official website of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan is designed based on the Resolution of the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, PC-19-15, dated 20 May, 2015, titled “On the development of a new version of the website of the Supreme Court,” and tailored to the international requirements of the United Nations. The website is designed with the support of the joint project of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Nations Development Programme “Rule of law partnership in Uzbekistan.”
