USAID/PROLoG Supports Mediators Association of Georgia to Improve Disciplinary Proceedings

On December 15, USAID/PROLoG supported an online workshop with Expert James Moliterno for the Mediators Association of Georgia (MAG) to discuss its draft disciplinary procedures.

MAG is a new organization, established in December 2019 under the law on Mediation. It unites 55 certified mediators. MAG will elect Ethics Commission members and adopt an Ethics Code by the end of December 2020.

Members of the working group developing the disciplinary rules as well as MAG’s executive board members and other interested mediators attended the workshop. Ms. Rusudan Tabatadze, Rule of Law Project Management Specialist, Democracy and Governance Office of USAID/Caucasus, and Mr. Irakli Kandashvili, Chairman of MAG made opening remarks. Mr. Irakli Adeishvili, member of the working group, presented the draft disciplinary rules, and Mr. Moliterno presented his views on the following topics: the number of Ethics Commission members and role assignments for Commission members; stages of disciplinary proceedings; publication of decisions; appeal of adverse ruling; claimant power to terminate proceedings; and parties to a disciplinary proceeding. The presentations were followed by a Q&A session and active discussions.