Does the Administrative Court Reform impact good governance decisions?

Abstract

The study purpose is to conduct a critical analysis of the achievements and challenges encountered during the eight-year operation of administrative courts in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Based on the objectives and principles outlined in the Code of Administrative court proceedings, the role of administrative court reforms in ensuring good governance is examined in correlation with Uzbekistan’s standing in international rankings. The study evaluates the legal framework governing administrative justice and identifies key shortcomings that may hinder effective law enforcement and governance. The findings indicate that the absence of the respondent in court proceedings and the incomplete enforcement of judicial decisions significantly restrict citizens' ability to protect their rights within administrative courts. Moreover, these may limit future legal reforms and undermine the effectiveness of judicial outcomes. A comparative analysis of foreign practice reveals that Uzbekistan's administrative court system has only partially adopted international practices, which, in turn, has led to a decline in the efficiency of administrative courts and the ineffective implementation of state governance acts. The author emphasizes that requiring respondents' participation in all administrative cases and promptly enforcing judicial decisions is crucial for effective courts and governance.