On February 23, 2024, the Georgian Arbitration Association (GAA), with the USAID Rule of Law Program (Program) support, held a presentation unveiling a report on the practices of reviewing arbitration cases in courts of appeal.

Throughout the research process, GAA analyzed official statistical data released by the Tbilisi and Kutaisi courts of appeal from 2018 to 2022. The focus of the analysis centered on the time taken by these courts for the recognition, enforcement, and annulment of arbitral awards.

Welcoming the attendees (over 40), Giorgi Chkheidze, Chief of Party for the USAID Rule of Law Program, and Rusudan Chkuaseli, Chairperson of the GAA, emphasized the pivotal role arbitration and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms play in fostering access to justice. Giorgi Chkheidze reiterated the Program's commitment to fortifying arbitration, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts to refine the legislative framework and elevate awareness among legal practitioners, judiciary members, civil society and business entities. Rusudan Chkuaseli expressed gratitude for the enduring support provided by the Program, underscoring its instrumental role in advancing arbitration and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Georgia.

Arbitration expert Jaba Gvelebiani presented the details of the report. He highlighted a concerning trend in the time effectiveness of appellate courts in handling arbitration-related cases. For instance, data from the Tbilisi Court of Appeals revealed a decrease in efficiency over the years. In 2018, arbitration-related cases accounted for 68% of completed cases, almost on par with other civil disputes. However, by 2022, this figure dropped to a mere 34%. Moreover, Mr. Gvelebiani pointed out the lack of a defined standard for publicly issuing appellate courts' decisions, making it challenging to assess the full picture of the courts' practices concerning arbitration-related cases.