CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL SAFEGUARDS FOR ATTORNEY–CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Abstract

The digitalization of legal practice has expanded opportunities for communication, document management and legal research, while also increasing risks of unauthorized access to confidential information. This paper examines attorney–client confidentiality as a condition for the effective exercise of the right to qualified legal assistance and the protection of human rights. Drawing on Uzbekistan's constitutional and legislative framework, it analyses challenges related to electronic storage, cloud services, digital devices and artificial intelligence. It proposes a doctrinal model termed "digital immunity of a lawyer", understood as a combination of legal, procedural-organizational and technical safeguards. The paper argues that this concept should not mean absolute immunity from lawful procedural measures; rather, it should support lawful, proportionate and controlled access to digital information while protecting materials covered by professional confidentiality. It also emphasizes the need to preserve the lawyer's professional judgment and responsibility when using artificial intelligence.