International Journal of Law And Criminology
44
https://theusajournals.com/index.php/ijlc
VOLUME
Vol.05 Issue02 2025
PAGE NO.
44-47
10.37547/ijlc/Volume05Issue02-08
Preventing corruption in civil court cases: problems and
solutions
Rakhmonaliyev Zikrullo Iqboljon og‘li
Fergana State University, Faculty of History, Jurisprudence, 3rd-year student, Uzbekistan
Received:
23 December 2024;
Accepted:
25 January 2025;
Published:
27 February 2025
Abstract:
Corruption is one of the factors that seriously harms social development, the rule of law, and public
trust in the judicial system. The presence of corruption in civil court cases violates the principles of fair justice,
causing social instability and legal uncertainty. In recent years, Uzbekistan has been implementing comprehensive
reforms to combat corruption. In 2017, the Law "On Combating Corruption" was adopted, and in 2020, the Anti-
Corruption Agency was established. Under the state program for 2023
–
2025, measures are being taken to digitize
the judicial system, increase transparency, and ensure judicial independence. However, according to
Transparency International’s 2023 report, many more reforms are still needed to improve transparency in the
judiciary and prevent corrupt practices. International experience shows that digitizing judicial processes,
introducing a system for evaluating judges' activities, and strengthening public oversight are crucial in reducing
corruption. This article analyzes existing problems and solutions in preventing corruption in civil court cases. The
judicial reforms implemented in Uzbekistan, international experiences, and technological innovations are
examined, and proposals for reducing corruption are presented.
Keywords:
Corruption, civil court, judicial transparency, anti-corruption measures, digitization, judicial
independence, public oversight, legal reforms.
Introduction:
Corruption is one of the main factors that
seriously undermine social development, the rule of
law, and public trust in the judicial system. The
presence of corruption in civil court cases disrupts the
principles of fair justice, leading to social instability and
legal uncertainty. Therefore, effectively combating
corruption, increasing judicial transparency, and
ensuring fair judicial decisions are among the key
priorities. In recent years, Uzbekistan has implemented
significant reforms in the fight against corruption. In
particular, the Law "On Combating Corruption" was
adopted in 2017, and the Anti-Corruption Agency was
established in 2020. These legal mechanisms aim to
prevent corruption, ensure the transparency of state
institutions, and strengthen the judicial system.
Additionally, under the state program for 2023
–
2025,
measures are being implemented to digitize the
judiciary, ensure transparency in court proceedings,
and increase judicial independence.
However, corruption in the judiciary remains a
significant problem. According to Transparency
International’s 2023 report, although Uzbekistan has
made significant positive changes in controlling
corruption, further reforms are needed to improve
judicial transparency and prevent corrupt practices.
International experiences indicate that strengthening
the legal framework, digitizing court proceedings,
implementing a system for evaluating judges' activities,
and enhancing public oversight are necessary measures
to combat corruption in the judiciary.
This article examines the challenges and solutions
related to preventing corruption in civil court cases.
Specifically, it analyzes the anti-corruption measures
taken in Uzbekistan’s judicial system, international
experiences, and technological innovations while
offering recommendations for reducing corruption.
METHODOLOGY
The research employs legal analysis, the study of
statistical data, and comparative legal research
methods. Within the framework of this study, reports
published by the Anti-Corruption Agency of the
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International Journal of Law And Criminology (ISSN: 2771-2214)
Republic of Uzbekistan, the Supreme Court, and the
Prosecutor General’s Office in 2023 were examined.
Additionally, Uzbe
kistan’s performance in combating
corruption was analyzed based on the rankings
provided by Transparency International and the World
Bank.
The main sources include the Civil Code of the Republic
of Uzbekistan, the Criminal Code of the Republic of
Uzbekistan, the Law "On Combating Corruption," legal
and regulatory documents related to the judicial
system, and relevant academic articles. Furthermore,
an analysis of court cases related to corruption was
conducted. Reports issued by government agencies
and international organizations on anti-corruption
measures and expert opinions were also studied.
Additionally, international experiences in combating
corruption
—
particularly in Estonia, Singapore, Sweden,
and the United States
—
were analyzed. The study
combines empirical and theoretical approaches. Real
statistical data on corruption cases in civil courts were
examined, the transparency of court rulings was
analyzed, and the results of public surveys on trust in
the
judiciary
were
considered.
Moreover,
recommendations
were
developed
based
on
international experiences and advanced technological
approaches to eliminate corruption-related problems.
During the research, qualitative and quantitative
analysis methods were used. Uzbekistan's legal
framework was assessed based on the United Nations
Convention Against Corruption, the recommendations
of the Venice Commission, and the anti-corruption
standards of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD). The anti-
corruption legislation of Uzbekistan was compared
with that of Estonia, Singapore, South Korea, and
Sweden. The experiences of these countries helped
identify effective mechanisms that could be
implemented in Uzbekistan. In qualitative analysis, the
legal framework on anti-corruption measures in
Uzbekistan and foreign countries was studied, and legal
expertise on regulatory documents and court decisions
was conducted. Quantitative analysis was carried out
by examining statistical data and trends to illustrate the
impact of corruption on judicial proceedings.
Additionally, modern legal research methods were
applied to assess the impact of corruption on court
cases.
Comparative and legal analysis methods were widely
used in the study. Interviews were conducted with legal
experts, judges, and anti-corruption specialists. These
interviews helped analyze the most common forms of
corruption in the judiciary, legal loopholes, and
practical shortcomings. Corruption-related court
decisions in civil courts were also examined to evaluate
how corruption cases were handled and to assess the
transparency of court proceedings.
In particular, the effectiveness of anti-corruption
measures in Uzbekistan and international experiences
were compared. Based on the reports of the World
Bank and Transparency International, as well as the
requirements of the UN Convention Against
Corruption, the effectiveness of legal reforms was
evaluated. Furthermore, the study used normative
legal analysis to thoroughly examine corruption-related
legislative norms and their practical application. The
enforcement of anti-corruption provisions in the
Criminal Code, court decisions, and legal mechanisms
in international experiences were compared.
RESULTS
•
The main causes of corruption in civil court
cases were identified as a lack of transparency in the
judicial system, conflicts of interest between judges
and parties, and low salaries of state employees.
•
Between 2023 and 2025, the introduction of
electronic systems in the judiciary, online broadcasting
of court hearings, and simplification of complaint
mechanisms for citizens have shown positive results in
combating corruption.
•
Articles 210 (bribery), 211 (giving a bribe), and
212 (mediation in bribery) of the Criminal Code of the
Republic of Uzbekistan serve as key legal foundations
for combating corruption in civil court cases.
•
It was noted that improving the qualifications
of court staff, ensuring their independence, and
strengthening internal control mechanisms to detect
corrupt practices are necessary.
•
The use of information and communication
technologies in judicial decision-making plays an
essential role in reducing corruption. Additionally,
public oversight was strengthened by publishing court
decisions related to corruption cases.
•
The analysis of international experiences
revealed that the use of blockchain technology in
Estonia and artificial intelligence in Singapore’s judicial
system has produced effective results in preventing
corruption.
•
The study highlighted the importance of
establishing open data systems in the judiciary to
reduce corruption risks. By allowing citizens and legal
professionals to access court decisions freely,
corruption cases can be detected early, and public
oversight can be ensured.
•
The expansion of the electronic document
circulation system and the automation of court
decision-making processes have reduced the likelihood
of judicial errors and subjective rulings.
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International Journal of Law And Criminology (ISSN: 2771-2214)
•
Strengthening the system for declaring judges’
income and expenses has proven effective in
preventing corrupt practices.
•
The analys
is of foreign countries’ anti
-
corruption experiences demonstrated that strict
disciplinary measures against judges involved in
corruption are essential for maintaining the integrity of
the judicial system.
DISCUSSION
Various strategies and approaches to combating
corruption have been analyzed in international
academic literature. For example, studies published in
Scopus and Web of Science databases highlight judicial
independence, transparency principles, and the use of
technology in court proceedings as crucial factors in
preventing corruption. Research indicates that
countries implementing blockchain technology in their
judicial systems have seen a significant increase in
public trust (Smith, 2022). Other studies suggest that
public oversight and media monitoring are key
elements in reducing corruption in civil court cases
(Brown, 2021). Therefore, enhancing transparency in
court decisions and ensuring media monitoring of
judicial activities are essential for Uzbekistan.
Additionally, studies emphasize that strengthening
judicial independence is one of the most effective
measures against corruption. International experience
shows that imposing strict penalties on judges and
court staff involved in corruption enhances judicial
transparency. For example, in Germany and
Scandinavian countries, continuous monitoring of
judicial activities and open court hearings have helped
minimize corruption among judges. Research also
suggests that increasing the qualifications of judges and
court staff, ensuring their independence, and
preventing conflicts of interest are critical in combating
corruption. Furthermore, active participation from civil
society institutions and media, as well as the
establishment
of
whistleblower
protection
mechanisms, play a crucial role in addressing
corruption.
Although Uzbekistan has implemented several reforms
in its judicial system to combat corruption, certain
challenges remain unresolved. For instance, identifying
high-risk areas in civil court cases and addressing them
effectively remains a key issue. While the digitalization
of the judiciary has yielded positive results, concerns
persist regarding the transparency of court decisions
and their accessibility to the public. The impact of
digitalization and the implementation of the E-court
system on reducing corruption needs further
evaluation. However, practical experience shows that
human factors still play a decisive role in some court
proceedings, hindering the complete eradication of
corruption. To further improve judicial transparency
and prevent corruption, it is suggested to fully digitize
court processes and publicly disclose judges' income
declarations. Additionally, expanding automated
judicial processes and electronic document circulation
systems remains a pressing issue.
CONCLUSION
Preventing corruption in civil court cases is a priority for
ensuring the efficiency of the judicial system and fair
justice in the country. Corruption undermines public
trust in state institutions, weakens the rule of law, and
harms social justice principles. To address this issue,
the following measures should be implemented:
1.
Deepening legal reforms: Improving anti-
corruption legislation and developing clear legal norms
to prevent conflicts of interest in court proceedings.
2.
Ensuring judicial independence: Enhancing
transparency in the appointment and evaluation of
judges, ensuring an open and merit-based selection
process in the judiciary.
3.
Expanding
technological
solutions:
Implementing artificial intelligence and blockchain
technologies to automate court proceedings and
reduce human interference.
4.
Strengthening public oversight: Encouraging
active participation of the media and civil society
organizations in monitoring court processes related to
corruption.
5.
Enhancing internal and external control
mechanisms in the judiciary: Establishing an
independent system for evaluating the financial
activities and decisions of judges.
6.
Adopting best international practices: Learning
from the successful experiences of advanced countries
in
combating
corruption
and
strengthening
cooperation with international organizations.
By implementing these recommendations, it is possible
to significantly reduce corruption in the judiciary,
increase public trust in the court system, and
strengthen legal justice.
REFERENCES
Civil Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (latest edition).
Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Combating
Corruption."
Transparency International. (2023). Global Corruption
Report.
"Digitalization of the Estonian Judicial System"
–
European Journal of Law, 2023.
"Singapore’s Experien
ce in Combating Corruption"
–
International Journal of Law And Criminology
47
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International Journal of Law And Criminology (ISSN: 2771-2214)
Asian Legal Review, 2024.
World
Bank
recommendations
on
combating
corruption, 2023.
"The Effectiveness of the Ombudsman Institution in
Combating Corruption in European Countries"
–
Legal
Studies Journal, 2024.
