USAID Rule of Law Program’s invited American judge James Redwine held a working meeting with lawyers from the Adjara region representing the Georgian Bar Association and Batumi Legal Aid Bureau. 

The key focus of the meeting was to discuss procedural issues related to continuances of a trial, service of pleadings, and court notices, with the aim of communicating to local lawyers systemic problems identified by Judge Redwine through his observations. 

“The entire meeting was a very productive and pleasant result of my shadowing of Georgian judges.” – said Judge Redwine. “As to dealing with continuances and service of pleadings and court notices, I sincerely appreciate local lawyers’ vigorous input during our session and their constructive attitude toward supporting judges in procedures they may initiate to address these important matters. Of course, these two issues do not alleviate such vital needs as more judges and support staffing. Those long-term problems and others must be resolved, but the Bench and Bar can make almost immediate reductions in case backlogs and increase court access by devising court procedures that assure litigants receive proper notices and valid judgments that will stand up on appeal. Respected members of the Georgian Bar Association are behind the judges in their efforts to administer justice. Together, the Bench and Bar can advance the ideals of justice that called each of us to serve.” – he added. 

The USAID Rule of Law Program Regional Hub Lawyer, Irina Khakhutaishvili said: “We believe that strengthening the profession of lawyers is important for establishing rule of law in Georgia. Judicial independence and citizens’ access to justice can best be fostered by cooperation between Georgian judges and lawyers. We support the constructive dialogue between the main “actors” of judicial procedures via Bench-Bar discussions to improve the functioning of the justice system.   

​Both Judge Redwine and the attorneys pointed out that any procedural changes to the court processing of cases must first conform to the laws of Georgia, including Georgia’s Civil Procedure Code and the Constitution. The Georgian attorneys welcomed the opportunity to learn about American practices related to case filling and court management. The attorneys stated they would be pleased to meet with Georgian judges in Bench-Bar sessions to discuss methods of enhancing court procedures in the areas of case backlog and service of pleadings and notices.