Prospects for the Digitalization of Administrative Court Proceedings

Abstract

This article examines the theoretical foundations and practical prospects for digitalizing administrative court proceedings in the Republic of Uzbekistan within the framework of the “Digital Uzbekistan — 2030” strategy and the “SMART SUD” concept. Drawing on the concept of e-government, the study identifies transparency, accessibility, efficiency and security as the core principles on which a digital judicial system should rest. A comparative legal analysis of the experience of Estonia, Germany, the United States (PACER and CM/ECF) and China’s “smart courts” initiative highlights best practices in electronic case management, blockchain-based evidence storage and the use of artificial intelligence in the judiciary. The article reveals the main problems of current practice in Uzbekistan, including the predominance of paper-based case management, the absence of a unified digital platform for inter-agency data exchange and an insufficient level of digital literacy among judges and court staff. The advantages and risks of applying artificial intelligence and the “robot judge” in administrative proceedings are critically analysed, with particular attention to issues of responsibility, cybersecurity and public trust. Based on the analysis, the author proposes to develop a concept of digital justice that enshrines the principle of “digital inclusion” in the judicial reform concept and to create a unified digital platform for administrative courts. It is also recommended to install interactive information terminals in court buildings in order to make judicial protection more accessible to citizens.