The purpose of the decree is to further liberalize judicial-legal system, implement the constitutional norm guaranteeing the citizens’ right for professional legal assistance at any stage of proceedings, ensure organizational autonomy of the Bar, strengthen the guarantees of independence of lawyers and to improve the credibility and prestige of the lawyer’s profession.

The document notes that further reform of the legal profession is the most important task of change in the judicial and legal system, aimed at development of the institutes of civil society and protection of human rights and freedoms.

The decree approved the proposal of the Ministry of Justice and the Bar Association to establish the Lawyers Chamber of Uzbekistan, based on compulsory membership of all lawyers of the country.

The objectives of the chamber are coordination of lawyers organizations, promotion of the profession, participation in development of legislation, representation and protection of the rights and interests of lawyers, as well as controlling the lawyers’ observance of the law and professional ethics.