On May 14, 2023, the USAID Rule of Law Program completed a serious of seminars for civil and administrative judges from various courts in Georgia. The seminars focused on improving communication with children in court proceedings.

The participants included thirty-three judges who took part in previous Rule of Law Program study visits on child rights and freedom of expression in the US.

The latter seminar featured two experts: Georgian child psychologist Ekaterine Tavartkiladze and American Judge Peggy Walker. Judge Walker is currently conducting a long-term shadowing program at Kutaisi City Court and the district courts of neighboring towns as part of the Rule of Law Program’s judicial exchange activities.

The seminar covered several topics, including the importance of psychological aspects in cases involving children, special challenges when communicating with children with disabilities, and adapting court proceedings to meet the psychological needs of children. During the seminar, judges shared their experiences and challenges communicating with children in courtrooms.

The experts provided advice on how judges can initiate communication with a child, reduce their nervousness, eliminate parental influence, and understand the child’s true interests. They also discussed how judges should phrase questions, pay attention to stress reactions, and respond if a child does not answer a question.

Additionally, the seminar emphasized the need to define boundaries between public opinion and the interests of the child.

This was the second seminar on the same topic. The first was held for judges in West Georgia in Batumi on February 4, 2023, led by the same Georgian psychologist and American judge James Redwine, who was shadowing Georgian judges at Batumi City Court and the nearby districts courts.