11/06/2021
🇪🇺 🇬🇪 On June 9, the EU “Judiciary Support Project” had its final event. The guests of the Final Event were greeted by H.E. the EU Ambassador to Georgia, Carl Hartzell, the Chairperson of the High Council of Justice and Chief Justice Nino Kadagidze, Team Leader of the Judiciary Support Project, Justice Renate Winter and Project Director, Oliver Mader. Representatives of legislative, executive and judicial branches, civil society and media attended the event.
📍 Over the past year, the Project has focused its efforts on the implementation of the 3rd and 4th waves of judicial reforms. The aim was to increase transparency of the High Council of Justice and of the Office of the Independent Inspector, to refine the procedures and to improve the standard of reasoning. In the framework of the final event, three sessions encompassed the issues of multicentric and organizational structure of the judicial self -governance, reasoning and accessibility of decisions; issues of judicial discipline; cooperation in the field of EU Law and Restorative Justice. The global pandemic prompted the Project Team to concentrate on tabling down of reports, comparative legal studies and recommendations. However, beyond the analytical work and research, the Project team offered beneficiaries a number of practical trainings, meetings and discussions.
📍 Upholding the highest standards of independence, ethics and integrity continues to be a key priority for EU’s further support to judiciary in Georgia. It is essential that the selection and promotion of judges within the common court system is merit-based and in line with the best international standards. Further reform of the High Council of Justice remains on top of the agenda, including in terms of legal reasoning of judicial appointments.
📍 Overall, the Project delivered around 185 capacity building activities (trainings, workshops, conferences, international congress), 8 study visits and 7 summer and winter schools.
✅ Key highlight of Project’s achievement include: adoption of comprehensive Judicial Reform Strategy; development of the 4th wave judicial reform recommendations; building network of the analytical units within the courts; preparation and presentation of annual analytical and generalization reports to increase public awareness and accountability; comprehensive IT audit of the judiciary; launching of user friendly web portal for Tbilisi City Court; development of electronic case-management system of the Constitutional Court and its website; introducing modern HR management instruments for courts managers; numerous trainings for judges and court staff on the applications of ECHR case law and the EU law; launching of the School of Justice for court staff; support of Constitutional Court Summer Schools; training and awareness raising activities to expand application of restorative justice practices; supporting Ministry of Justice in expansion of the criminal mediation program for adults.
