Comparative Analysis of Legal Education and the Provision of Legal Education Services in Public and Private Universities: The Cases of India and Uzbekistan

Abstract

Legal education serves as a cornerstone for establishing competent legal professionals and promoting the rule of law in both India and Uzbekistan. While both countries recognize the strategic importance of legal education in state-building and legal reform, their regulatory landscapes differ markedly. India maintains a pluralistic and competitive legal education market shaped by colonial legacy, federal structures, and private sector participation. Governed primarily by the Advocates Act, 1961 and regulated by the Bar Council of India and University Grants Commission, India’s legal education system includes both traditional LL.B. and integrated five-year programmes offered by a wide array of public and private institutions. In contrast, Uzbekistan’s legal education remains largely state-controlled despite ongoing reforms. Although the legal framework permits licensing of private universities, access to the legal education market remains limited due to opaque administrative barriers. The licensing process, transferred to the Ministry of Higher Education, is formally governed by laws ensuring legality and transparency, yet implementation often restricts private entrants. This article offers a comparative legal analysis of regulatory frameworks in both jurisdictions, highlighting the need for Uzbekistan to enhance transparency, diversify legal education provision, and align practice with legislative guarantees of equality, academic freedom, and market participation.