Constitutional Court of Georgia hosted the first forum focusing on teaching constitutional litigation. This event was made possible with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program (Program) and the Council of Europe and the European Union joint project “Strengthening Independence and Professionalism of Justice in Georgia."   

The primary objective of the Forum was to establish a dialogue between the Constitutional Court and the Georgian university community that will result in the development of teaching methodologies and practices used by all Georgian universities to provide students both theoretical and practical knowledge of constitutional law practice. Over 40 representatives from accredited higher education institutions participated in the event.

The forum opened with welcoming addresses from Merab Turava, Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Georgia, Giorgi Chkheidze, Chief of Party of the USAID Rule of Law Program and Giorgi Giorgadze, Senior Project Officer, Council of Europe Office in Georgia.

Constitutional Court judges, facilitated forum sessions. These included Giorgi Tevdorashvili, Manana Kobakhidze, and Giorgi Tugushi. In the initial session, university representatives explained some of the challenges they face in teaching Constitutional law and practice. In subsequent sessions Constitutional Court judges shared their perspectives on teaching constitutional proceedings in law schools.

They identified some of the essential skills students should possess to actively engage in constitutional proceedings, either as litigators or law clerks at the Constitutional Court.

The Program expects this forum will become an annual event hosted by universities, contributing to the continual enhancement of constitutional litigation education.