PRE-TRIAL JUSTICE AND LEGAL SHIELD: A NEW MECHANISM FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS IN UZBEKISTAN

The article details the introduction of a new mechanism for pre-trial appeal against administrative acts adopted in the field of public services in the Republic of Uzbekistan. The focus is on the activities of Appeals Councils established under state bodies and organizations providing public services. The author analyzed their legal status, functions, and procedural features, as well as evaluated the effectiveness of these bodies as a tool for protecting the rights and legitimate interests of citizens and legal entities without the need to apply to the court. Special attention is paid to the international experience of similar institutions operating in countries with a developed system of administrative law, which allows for comparing the level of accessibility, promptness, and objectivity of dispute resolution in Uzbekistan with foreign practices. It also emphasizes the importance of digitalizing administrative procedures and strengthening institutional responsibility as crucial factors in strengthening legal statehood. This legal experiment is presented as part of a large-scale administrative reform aimed at increasing transparency, fairness, and citizens’ trust in state institutions.