News

2019

14

Mar

Meeting of Women Judges with Students at the National Institute for Human Rights

On March 11, USAID/PROLoG organized a meeting of two Judges with law students at the National Institute for Human Rights, Free University of Tbilisi.

Judge Madi Chantladze and Judge Ana Gogishvili, Alumni of PROLoG’s Judicial Exchange program spoke about their careers and challenges for women lawyers. Up to fifty students attended the meeting, representing various Georgian law schools. A number of questions were asked in the end of the meeting, related to the professional experience of the speakers as well as to the ongoing challenges of being a Judge.
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2019

14

Mar

USAID/PROLoG Assists High Council of Justice to Assess Distribution of Judges and Support Staff throughout the Country

Starting March 4^th USAID/PROLoG expert Dr. Jesper Wittrup had a four-day assignment in Georgia to assist the High Council of Justice (HCOJ) to assess the distribution of judges and support staff in courts.

Prior to the visit, Dr. Wittrup conducted a study to identify the overall number of judges needed to ensure the improved functioning of the Georgian judiciary in the face of an increasing and changing caseload. Dr. Wittrup’s concluded that Georgia needs between 380 and 450 judges, and set the optimum number at 410.
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2019

12

Mar

USAID/PROLoG Begins Series of Workshops on Courtroom Communication and Case Management for Civil Law Judges

USAID/PROLoG, in cooperation with the High School of Justice (HSoJ) and the High Council of Justice, began a series of workshops in Courtroom Communication and Case Management for civil law judges. The idea for the workshop emerged from the mentorship program, when in fall 2018—at PROLoG’s invitation—two US judges observed Georgian judges and provided recommendations to improve the efficiency of the system.
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2019

07

Mar

USAID/PROLoG Organizes a Workshop on Selection of Supreme Court Justices for the Members of the Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary

On February 27, USAID/PROLoG held a workshop for members of the Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary on the selection of Supreme Court justices. Mr. Thomas M. Susman, a US expert, discussed the role of civil society organizations in this process.

The expert provided information on the US model—stages of nomination of Federal and Supreme Court justices, candidate evaluations carried out by American Bar Association, background checks and public hearings conducted at the US Senate, and the role of advocacy groups throughout the entire process.
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2019

07

Mar

The Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary Members Meet to Discuss Advocacy Activities in Support of Fair and Merit-based Selection of Supreme Court Justices

On March 4, the Coalition for an Independent and Transparent Judiciary, with the support of USAID/PROLoG, held a general assembly to discuss developments related to the selection of Supreme Court justices.

The Coalition members discussed processes following a slipshod nomination of ten candidates by the High Council of Justice (HCOJ). Following amendments to the Constitution of Georgia, which went into effect in December 2018, The number of justices is being increased from 16 to 28, and they are elected by Parliament on the nomination by the HCOJ, instead of by the President, as was previously the case.
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2019

07

Mar

Round Table Discussion with Alumni of USAID/PROLoG Judicial Exchange Activities

On March 1, 2019, USAID/PROLoG organized a round table discussion with alumni of judicial exchange activities. The objective of the meeting was to solicit recommendations for future judicial exchanges; explore opportunities for improving the efficiency of court hearings; and the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Georgia.

Fourteen judges from the Tbilisi City and Tbilisi Court of Appeals participated in the discussion. The alumni provided a number of suggestions concerning future exchanges, related to the composition of groups according to specialization and the scheduling of meetings during study tours.
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2019

06

Mar

Visit of the Independent Inspector and GBA Ethics Commission in Gori

On February 28, 2019, with the support of EWMI/PROLoG, the first meeting of the Georgian Bar Association (GBA) Ethics Commission and the Independent Inspector’s Office of the High Council of Justice with the students at Gori University and roundtable discussion with local lawyers took place at the Office of Network of Centers for Civil Engagement (NCCE).
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2019

06

Mar

EMC Conducts Informational Meeting with Muslim Boarding School Management in Batumi

On March 2, the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC), under the USAID/PROLoG legal aid project, “Improving human rights conditions for marginalized groups through strategic litigation,” organized a working meeting with representatives of Muslim boarding school management and local community leaders in Batumi. The purpose of the meeting was to address the challenges faced by the boarding schools, following amendments to the law of Georgia on Licensing of Educational Activities.
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2019

04

Mar

TDI Organizes Awards Ceremony for Youth Contest Winners and Presentation of New Documentary Videos

On March 1, Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI), under the USAID-funded EWMI/PROLoG grant “Promoting Diversity, Enhancing Dialogue and Empowering Minorities and Women”, held an award ceremony for the youth contest winners. Brian LeDuc, USAID/PROLoG Deputy Chief of Party and Eka Chitanava, TDI director, delivered opening speeches. Throughout the contest, participants prepared blogs, articles, photo stories and videos on challenges related to tolerance and cultural diversity in their community. Several winners were selected
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2019

04

Mar

2019 Judicial Winter School Successfully Finalized

During February 22-28, USAID/PROLoG together with other donors (EU4Justice, CoE, UNICEF, UNDP, OHCHR) in cooperation with the High Council of Justice, Supreme Court and High School of Justice, supported 2019 Judicial Winter School (JWS) for judicial assistants and employees of the analytical departments at Georgian courts. A total of 21 judicial system employees and six students participated in the Winter School, which offered intensive training on a wide variety of topics, including independence of the judiciary, communication within the court system and with parties, case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, prohibition of discrimination and many more.
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