Organisation of the work of the courts of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Justice rests on the principles of legality, impartiality, comprehensive and complete consideration of a case, equality of all before the law and openness. Only a court may find a person guilty of a crime and impose punishment; until a verdict enters into legal force the person is considered innocent (the presumption of innocence). In court the accused is given all conditions for defence and may use an advocate’s help; the parties present their positions and evidence, and a court decision can be appealed to a higher court. Judges are independent and subject only to the law, interference in their work is forbidden and leads to liability; the judge’s person is inviolable. To become a judge, the age set by law, higher legal education, experience in the legal field and a qualification exam are required; a judge cannot be a deputy, a member of a political party or hold another paid job. Appointment of judges and observance of their independence are linked with the Supreme Judicial Council.
“Court hearing”: roles – judge, prosecutor, advocate, accused, witness. An imaginary minor case (damaging school equipment) is heard; observers judge whether impartiality, equality and the right to defence were respected.