From 29 September to 3 October, the Ministry of Justice of Latvia hosted a study visit for representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan, Institute for analysis and regulatory impact assessment of legislation under the Ministry of Justice, Legal Information Centre “Adolat” and other entities. During the visit, the delegation learned about Latvia’s experience in simplifying, systematizing, and digitalizing the regulatory framework.
The visit took place within the EU-funded Twinning project “Systematization and Simplification of the Legal Framework”, aimed at supporting justice reforms in Uzbekistan and strengthening the institutional capacity of its Ministry of Justice. The purpose of the study visit was to provide participants with new knowledge on the legislative process, its simplification, and the introduction of digitalization.
Representatives of the Uzbek entities responsible for the development, revision, systematization of legal acts, as well as the training of current and future lawyers, gained valuable insights into how to:
- enhance their digital solutions in the process of drafting, harmonizing, consulting on and publishing of regulatory acts, including reducing the administrative burden for all parties involved;integrate regulatory impact assessments into the legislative process in a manner that is clear and accessible to all;
- strengthen the theoretical and practical knowledge of civil servants and lawyers in Uzbekistan who are involved in the development, revision, and systematisation of legal acts.
The delegation visited the Ministry of Justice to learn about its role in the drafting of legal acts, the hierarchy of normative acts in Latvia and the theory that determines it, as well as the Cabinet of Ministers and the State Chancellery.
The program included visits to the Parliament (Saeima) and the newly established Judicial Academy, along with presentations on the application of the Standard Cost Model in ex-ante regulatory impact assessments and the methodology developed by the State Chancellery for ex-post evaluation of legal acts.
The Uzbek delegation was also introduced to the digital tools used in the drafting and harmonization of legal acts in Latvia. The program features presentations on the functionalities and development of the TAP portal, the experience of Latvia’s official publisher “Latvijas Vēstnesis” in the systematization of legal acts, as well as the practices of the Enterprise Register in ensuring digital governance and other related topics.
The project and the study visit are fully financed by the European Union. By sharing its experience, Latvia helps Uzbekistan strengthen the rule of law and transparency in legislative processes.
Additional information:
Since 1 April 2024, the Ministry of Justice of Latvia, as a junior partner, together with the German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) as the lead partner, has been implementing the EU-funded Twinning project “Systematisation and Simplification of the Legal Framework”. More information about the project is available at Ministry of Justice homepage.
