Enforcement of Judicial Acts and Acts of Other Bodies

The enforcement of judicial acts is a key element of the rule of law and justice. A court decision itself has no practical value without an effective mechanism for its implementation. It is at the enforcement stage that the actual protection of violated rights takes place, and justice acquires its real meaning.

In the Republic of Uzbekistan, the legal regulation of the enforcement of judicial acts and acts of other bodies is provided by the Law “On Enforcement of Judicial Acts and Acts of Other Bodies” (hereinafter referred to as the Law).
This normative act systematizes provisions governing the procedure for enforcement, the rights and duties of participants, protection guarantees, and special procedures — particularly, the simplified enforcement procedure.

Legal Nature of Enforcement Proceedings

In legal doctrine, enforcement proceedings are traditionally regarded as the final stage of civil procedure. However, their nature is complex:

• The private law element is reflected in the protection of the creditor’s subjective right.
• The public law element is expressed through the involvement of state authorities — specifically, the Bureau of Compulsory Enforcement under the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Thus, enforcement proceedings in Uzbekistan occupy an intermediate position between procedural and administrative law, giving this Law special importance in the legal system.

Normative Framework

The Law consists of four major sections:

1. General Provisions — objectives, scope, and types of acts subject to enforcement.
2. Procedural Framework — initiation and termination of enforcement proceedings, terms, place, and time of enforcement actions.
3. Special Mechanisms — simplified procedure and peculiarities of enforcement for certain categories of documents.
4. Guarantees and Liability — rights and duties of creditors and debtors, and liability of enforcement officers and debtors.

Special attention is given to the simplified procedure, a legislative innovation designed to accelerate enforcement.

Types of Enforcement Documents

The following are subject to enforcement:

• Enforcement writs of courts;
• Court orders;
• Notarial executive inscriptions;
• Certificates of labor dispute commissions;
• Administrative penalty rulings;
• Other documents explicitly provided by law.

Type of Document	Term for Submission	Voluntary Compliance Period	Key Features
Enforcement Writ	3 years	15 days	Universal document issued by courts
Court Order	3 years	up to 5 days	Subject to simplified procedure
Notarial Executive Inscription	3 years	up to 5 days	Enforced for undisputed obligations
Labor Dispute Commission Certificates	3 months	15 days	Social and legal nature
Administrative Penalty Rulings	3 months	15 days	Recovery of fines and fees

General and Simplified Enforcement Procedures

1. General Procedure

• Case initiation — within one day;
• 15-day period granted to the debtor for voluntary performance;
• Upon expiration — application of coercive measures (seizure, deduction, or restriction of rights).

2. Simplified Procedure

• Applies to court orders, notarial inscriptions, and administrative fines;
• The voluntary compliance period is shortened to 5 days;
• The enforcement officer obtains the right to act promptly (e.g., direct inquiries to banks and state bodies, seize property without separate court authorization).

Criterion	General Procedure	Simplified Procedure
Voluntary Compliance Period	15 days	up to 5 days
Applicable Documents	All judicial acts	Court orders, notarial inscriptions, fines
Judicial Supervision	Possible	Minimal
Social Significance	Universal	High (e.g., alimony, wages)
Objective	Universal enforcement	Quick execution of undisputed obligations

Guarantees of the Parties’ Rights

• The creditor has the right to monitor enforcement, review materials, and appeal against inaction of the enforcement officer.
• The debtor may submit objections and complaints, but such appeals do not suspend enforcement to prevent abuse.
• The enforcement officer must act within legal limits and is subject to disciplinary and administrative liability for violations.

Practical Challenges

Despite progressive innovations, enforcement practice reveals several challenges:

• Work overload and delays among enforcement officers;
• Insufficient automation — not all banks and government agencies are integrated into the e-enforcement system;
• Debtor abuse, such as fictitious asset transfers or concealment of property;
• Limited use of mediation in enforcement proceedings.

Development Prospects

• Digitalization: creation of a unified electronic register of enforcement documents;
• Private enforcement officers: international experience shows private enforcement improves efficiency;
• Tightening debtor liability: including stricter measures for evasion (e.g., restriction of special rights);
• Mediation in enforcement: to reduce social conflict and workload.

The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Enforcement of Judicial Acts and Acts of Other Bodies” reflects the modern concept of a rule-of-law state: a court decision must not only be rendered but also effectively enforced.

The simplified enforcement procedure has become a significant innovation aimed at the prompt protection of socially important rights. However, its efficiency depends directly on the level of automation, professional competence of enforcement officers, and discipline of debtors.

Hence, further development of the enforcement system should focus on:

• Strengthening procedural guarantees;
• Expanding digital infrastructure;
• Introducing private enforcement elements;
• Enhancing the social orientation of enforcement mechanisms.