Prevention for Progress (PFP), together with local civil society organization, Civil Engagement and Activism Center, organized a meeting with lawyers in Marneuli to discuss access to justice issues.

Lawyers from the private sector, the Legal Aid Service, and civil society organizations shared their concerns about the quality of translation provided during court hearings, as well as problems caused by unnecessary case delays. Some participants also shared their observation that judges specializing in civil and administrative law often apply stricter preventive measures than those judges specializing in criminal cases.

A number of participants shared their viewpoints on the role of law enforcement in responding to cases of early marriage.  The consensus was that law enforcement was not responding to these cases effectively.  Many also felt that criminalization of the so-called "engagement" (agreement between families on child marriage) process is necessary to protect the rights of the young people involved. The lawyers also discussed the importance of mediation as an alternative way to resolve disputes and noted the low level of awareness about mediation among the population of Kvemo Kartli.

The USAID Rule of Law Program supported the meeting as part of its effort to help improve access to justice among the ethnic minorities living in the municipalities of Marneuli and Bolnisi.