Key Aspects of Attorney-Client Privilege in Criminal Proceedings: Uzbekistan's Legislation and International Experience

Attorney–client privilege is one of the key principles of justice that sustains trust between defence counsel and the client, particularly in the context of criminal proceedings. This article examines the current legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan on attorney–client privilege, including normative acts and ethical codes that regulate the confidentiality of information obtained by a lawyer from a client. It offers a comparative analysis of international approaches using France and Germany as examples, where the professional secrecy of lawyers is recognised as a matter of public policy and protected as an absolute right, and its breach entails strict liability measures. The article also considers international standards (the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers) and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, which underline the fundamental nature of confidential lawyer–client communications for a fair trial. The research methodology relies on a comprehensive analysis of legislation, doctrine, and judicial practice, which made it possible to identify gaps and achievements in safeguarding lawyer–client confidentiality. As a result, conclusions are drawn about the current state of confidentiality guarantees in Uzbekistan and recommendations are proposed to align national practice with international standards, including strengthening procedural safeguards and liability for breaches of attorney–client privilege. The findings may contribute to the further improvement of legislation and law-enforcement practice in the sphere of the legal profession.