On July 29-30, 2023, the USAID Rule of Law Program conducted a workshop with 18 judge members of the Child Rights Practice Group to discuss the right to open hearings in child-related cases and publicity of those cases. The workshop focused on European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law and methodologies for interviewing children in court, giving particular attention to U.S. practices.

The sessions related to the right to open hearings and ECtHR standards were led by local human rights expert Levan Maisuradze. Supreme Court Judge Nino Bakakuri and Rustavi Court Judge Nata Tedeshvili also shared invaluable insights from their experiences in Georgia, shedding light on the publicity of judgments and the exceptions made in the best interests of the child.

USAID Rule of Law Program-invited American Judge Peggy Walker, an expert in child rights matters, shared her experience and offered answers to judges' questions from a U.S. perspective. She provided valuable insights on how judges, psychologists, social workers, and other professionals can coordinate their efforts and apply similar standards and attitudes to safeguard the interests of the children involved in cases.

Towards the conclusion of the meeting, Judge Levan Darbaidze from Gori District Court shared his impressions from a recent study visit in Leiden, Netherlands, funded by the USAID Rule of Law Program. During the visit, Judge Darbaidze attended a Summer School for the judges and other law professionals focused on children's rights, and he gained an in-depth understanding of child-related cases. Judge Darbaidze also learned about the rules and policies governing the organization and management of Dutch courts.

The workshop served as an excellent platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices among Georgian judges and both U.S. and local experts in the field of child rights. The insights gained from the discussions are expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of justice and protection provided to children in the context of legal proceedings.