Legal regulation of property rights in Uzbekistan under contemporary civil legislation

Abstract

The regulation of property rights occupies a central position in the civil law system of Uzbekistan, reflecting both constitutional principles and the transformative processes of legal reform since independence. This article examines the framework of property rights under contemporary civil legislation, focusing on the Civil Code, constitutional provisions, and judicial practice. Special attention is given to the unique status of land as state property and the hybrid model of long-term leases that approximate ownership, as well as the regulation of housing, movable and immovable assets, and intellectual property. The analysis highlights the balance between private property guarantees and state powers of intervention, particularly in expropriation and public interest regulation. Challenges related to enforcement, compensation, and judicial consistency are discussed alongside the opportunities created by privatization, investment liberalization, and international legal integration. The article argues that the Uzbek model of property rights represents a transitional framework that combines elements of traditional state ownership with expanding private rights, and its further development will be shaped by economic modernization, international obligations, and social legitimacy.