From February 5-9, 2024, 50 student-paralegals from Imereti and Adjara underwent communication skills training led by communication expert Lado Mkervalishvili.  

The training was part of the informational campaign “Make Justice Accessible for All: Paralegals Initiative” supported by the Legal Aid Service of Georgia (LAS) and the USAID Rule of Law Program.

To frame the training that followed, Mr. Mkervalishvili told the participants, "Communication is a bilateral process involving the exchange of information, wherein each party endeavors to articulate its position." 

He told them that effective communication between parties requires assertive communication skills, enabling acknowledgment of alternative perspectives, solicitation of impartial support, and maintaining fidelity in one's discourse. He explained the importance of information sharing, dress-code etiquette, as well as techniques for gaining the trust of an audience, and techniques for responsive interrogation.  

Mr. Mkervalishivi led the group in practical exercises. Students prepared presentations on gender equality and women’s rights, child rights, hate speech, domestic violence, Georgia's Euro integration, and combating misinformation on social media.

The student-paralegals assumed various roles, from lead presenter to ordinary citizens, and then engaged in debates on these issues. Peer evaluation allowed them to identify their strengths and weaknesses, leading to a better understanding of their abilities.

This was the third group of paralegal students from Adjara and the first group from Imereti to undergo this training, and they are now more prepared to conduct field visits and mock trials across Georgia, which will enhance public awareness of human rights issues.

Starting in March, the Student-paralegals will attend informational meetings with local communities, accompanied by Legal Aid Service lawyers to provide information to local citizens about their legal rights and assist them in preparing documents and other legal papers.