On July 11, 2023 the USAID Rule of Law Program, in coordination with the Georgian Bar Association (GBA), organized a meeting of the Program’s long-term American mentoring judge Peggy Walker with Kutaisi attorneys.

The opportunity to meet an American judge and seek her opinion on creating a child-friendly environment and procedures within the American and Georgian judicial systems resulted in the participation of 45 GBA members.

The purpose of the meeting was twofold: to examine the existing challenges within the Georgian judicial system and to explore the specific obstacles in civil and administrative proceedings that hinder the efficiency of court administrations in Kutaisi.  

Judge Walker emphasized the standards for safeguarding children’s best interests in juvenile courts in the U.S. She highlighted the significance of allowing children to be heard in court and creating child-friendly environments that can reduce the stress arising from their past experiences.

"Justice delayed is justice denied," she said, urging lawyers to work closely with the judicial system to ensure timely access to justice for their clients. Judge Walker provided needed recommendations for attorneys to act in children's best interests in court, and also asked lawyers to provide children with appropriate resources for the protection of their rights.

“What a child wants does not necessarily mean what a child needs,” said Judge Walker. “The child’s best interests must prevail over the child’s desires.”

The second part of the discussion focused on questions raised by the attorneys. The lawyers emphasized their role in advocating for their clients and expressed concerns about the insufficient number of judges available to address their clients' cases in a timely manner.

The attorneys also suggested the establishment of a dedicated chamber or court within the judiciary, similar to the U.S. model, to specifically address the rights and protection of children in civil, administrative, and criminal matters. They highlighted that children represent one of the most vulnerable segments of society.

Lastly, the attorneys emphasized the importance of ongoing cooperation with Judge Walker and requested that the Rule of Law Program ensure the continuation of meetings involving judges and other stakeholders. This collaborative effort enables attorneys to represent their clients in the best possible manner within the justice system.