On October 7, 2023, the Mediators Association of Georgia (MAG), with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program, hosted a meeting of new and experienced mediators to facilitate the exchange of experiences among them. Sixteen mediators from Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Bolnisi, and Telavi attended the meeting facilitated by Tea Cheishvili, a certified court mediator and a practicing lawyer.

During his opening remarks, MAG Chairman Irakli Kandashvili emphasized the vital role of this platform in addressing the daily challenges faced by mediators.

This platform is especially important for newcomers, who need guidance from more experienced colleagues.

Chairman Kandashvili urged all participants, especially those representing regional court-annexed mediation centers, to use the opportunity of holding joint information meetings with all parties to a case as much as possible before court officially transfers a case to mediation; to inform them of the benefits of mediation, provide information about the role of a mediator and the procedures related to mediation, and to check whether a case is fit for mediation. If the parties agree, the information meeting may transition into a mediation process.

The topics discussed also included: the challenges associated with bringing parties to mediation, the statutory 45-day term for conducting mediation and its possible extension, issues relating to pensioner mediators and their compensation, as well as distinctions between private and court-annexed mediation.

Emphasis was placed on the need to engage with lawyers to enhance their understanding of the mediation process and dispel misconceptions about mediators being competitors to lawyers. Participants highlighted that it is crucial for lawyers to inform their clients about mediation, make them aware of the possibility that their cases will be referred to mediation by the court, and incorporate relevant mediation clauses into contracts or powers of attorney.

MAG routinely organizes such gatherings, recognizing their invaluable role in providing a platform for open dialogue among colleagues and addressing matters of common interest. The event has provided a framework for discussions on the developments, experiences, and challenges faced by the mediators for efficient identification of lessons learned and constant improvement of the practice. As a result of the activity, mediators will feel more confident in dealing with parties and their representatives.