The new project of the Council of Europe launched on December 14, will improve the efficiency of the Georgian justice system. The alternative dispute resolution mechanism and restorative justice will contribute to swift and cost-effective resolution of disputes between individuals, which will increase the access of Georgian citizens to the justice system.
Lilja Grétarsdóttir, the Head of the Cooperation Programmes Division of the Council of Europe sees this process as the step forward to improve the justice system “Georgia is committed to bringing its justice system to European standards. Mediation and restorative justice are quicker, less expensive, and more accessible. Complex nature of proceeding is prone to discourage parties to continue disputes and contributes to general lack of trust towards the system.”
The project will be run on different fronts. On one hand, it will advise citizens on alternative dispute resolution mechanism in criminal and civil law, on the other hand, it will focus on improving knowledge and skills of the respective stakeholders, such as the members of the parliament, judges, prosecutors, conciliators, mediators.
"Mediation is an alternative option for dispute resolution, which increases access to justice for every citizen. The concept of restorative justice is about the understanding that crime first and foremost harm people and communities. Hence, it is about contributing to a more harmonious society, when perpetrators of small scale criminal acts, have the possibility to restore what he or she has done towards the society, towards the citizen or the state.” - Natalia Voutova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia.” - Natalia Voutova, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia.
Irakli Kandashvili, Chairperson of Mediators Association of Georgia believes that the effectiveness of justice largely depends on the development of alternative proceedings: "The world agrees that there is no alternative to peaceful settlement of disputes and mediation. It mitigates the burden of court, that will lead to increasing efficiency of the justice system in general”.
The effective legal system will also contribute to improvement of Georgia’s business and investment environment.
"Georgia has all the opportunities to resolve civil disputes through mediation. Incorporation of alternative mechanisms in resolving business will help businesses to peacefully resolve disputes between business companies. This will boost economic activities", -Davit Asatiani, Chairman of the Georgian Bar Association.
The event participants discussed legislative and practical issues to be addressed for the further promotion of alternative dispute resolution systems in Georgia and agreed to co-operate closely within the framework of the Council of Europe project.
The project is implemented as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2020-2023.
