On December 13, 2023, with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program, the Mediators Association of Georgia (MAG) and the Georgian Bar Association (GBA) organized the 3rd Annual International Mediation Forum for Lawyers in Tbilisi.

The event was dedicated to advancing the practice of mediation in Georgia and provided legal practitioners the opportunity to better understand the benefits and evolving landscape of mediation. It gave 65 attendees the opportunity to learn from experienced mediators, lawyers, and judges, gaining practical insights into how they could successfully incorporate mediation into their practices.

The event commenced with a welcome from Irakli Kandashvili, Chairman of MAG, who noted that the law on mediation was introduced with great enthusiasm in Georgia only four years ago and that it was now providing an efficient and humane method of ending disputes by agreement.

Giorgi Chkheidze, USAID Rule of Law Program Chief of Party, followed by emphasizing the Program’s commitment to advancing people centered justice in Georgia, with expanding mediation being one aspect of this effort.

Both Maria Slazak, President of the European Association of Lawyers, and David Asatiani, Georgian Bar Association (GBA) Chairman, stressed how important it is for lawyers to support mediation. Mr. Asatiani explained that because the GBA has 5,500 active members, mediation expansion will only be possible with lawyer support.  

International mediation expert Michael McIlwrath, invited by the USAID Rule of Law Program, delivered a keynote address on "The Evolution of Mediation in Legal Practice." Drawing from his global experience, Mr. McIlwrath highlighted the dynamic nature of mediation.

The panel presentations which followed Mr. McIlwrath’s address covered diverse aspects of mediation. One session featured representatives from the GBA, Supreme Court, National Center of Alternative Dispute Resolution, New Vision University's Law Faculty, and the Legal Aid Service of Georgia. Another session focused on lawyers' experiences and the benefits of mediation, with panelists from legal companies and law firms. The third session explored ethical obligations for lawyers in mediation, with insights from the GBA Ethics Commission and MAG Ethics Commission.

The forum concluded with an interactive Q&A, encouraging discussions on various aspects of mediation.