In Apil, May and June, Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University (University), supported by the USAID Rule of Law Program (Program), organized mock trials for 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students from #112 and #115 public schools in Tbilisi and the #4 and #9 public school in Zugdidi.

The trials involved the rights and obligations related to a purchase agreement. The exercise simulated a courtroom experience which enhanced the students’ legal reasoning, critical analysis, argumentative skills, and public speaking abilities.  It also sparked interest in the field of law.

The case involved an incident that took place during a flood involving a fictional man named Giorgi Leonidze, who, against his brother Irakli's advice to wait out the storm, drove home late at night in heavy rain. Days later, Giorgi was found unconscious in a flooded car in Vere Gorge, requiring costly surgery and facing damage to his car, his primary source of income.

During the mock trial, students dealt with such issues as personal accountability, the state's role in citizen safety, and mechanisms for compensating damages. Debate focused on preventive measures like improving weather information systems, enhancing road safety, and bolstering emergency management readiness. The simulation provided a platform for insightful legal discourse - giving students a deeper understanding of public safety policies, and honing participants' critical thinking and argumentation skills.

Reflecting on the experience, Lena Gojaeva, a participant, remarked, "Conducting simulated trials and interacting with minors was a personally enriching experience for me. Witnessing their enthusiasm and newfound interest in law motivates me to participate in such activities more frequently.”