Conflict of Interest of Judges: A Comparative Analysis of International Standards and Legislation of Uzbekistan

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of the regulation of judicial conflicts of interest in international practice and in the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It examines key international standards aimed at safeguarding judicial independence and impartiality, including the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, the IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest, OECD recommendations, and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. Particular attention is given to the “reasonable doubt” test and the principle of appearance of bias as core elements of the modern assessment of judicial impartiality. The study analyzes the current Uzbek legal framework and identifies regulatory gaps, including the absence of a statutory definition of judicial conflict of interest, a formal disclosure obligation, and a structured pre-assignment screening mechanism. Based on a comparative review of foreign models, the article formulates proposals for improving national legislation in order to strengthen judicial independence and enhance the effectiveness of judicial protection of entrepreneurs’ economic rights.