BETWEEN ALGORITHM AND LAW: THE PROBLEM OF LEGAL IDENTIFICATION OF SMART CONTRACTS IN THE DIGITAL ERA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47390/SPR1342V6SI1Y2026N41Keywords:
smart contract, blockchain, hybrid model, civil law, Nick Szabo, law of Uzbekistan, transaction automation.Abstract
The article explores the legal nature of smart contracts amid the rapid digitalization of civil commerce, a trend intensified in the post-pandemic era. The author analyzes the evolution of the concept, ranging from Nick Szabo's pioneering ideas to contemporary debates between proponents of contractual, technical, and hybrid approaches. Special emphasis is placed on the works of A. Saveliev and international skeptics (E. Mik, N. Hsu), who examine the risks of replacing the parties' intent with programmatic code. Within the context of Uzbekistan’s legal system, the article justifies the priority of the hybrid model, which combines legal legitimacy with technological efficiency. The perspectives of national scholars (N. Abdurakhmanova, Kh. Abdusattarov) regarding the necessity of preliminary agreements and adherence to documentation standards are thoroughly investigated. It is concluded that for civil law jurisdictions, the hybrid approach serves as the optimal mechanism for harmonizing innovation with the principles of legal stability.
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