What issues were discussed in April by the High Council of Justice?

Key findings

• The High Council of Justice adopted all decisions unanimously, no dissenting opinions/questions were noted.
• The High Council of Justice failed to provide notice on the website of the session's delay promptly;
• The High Council published the information about the appointment of all sessions in violation of the organic law – only one working day in advance rather than at least three working days.

April 6, 2023

The session was initially set on March 31, but after postponing the meeting twice, it finally took place on April 6. The session ended quickly after the Board members spoke, so discussing the agenda did not begin.

The following topics were on the agenda:

1. Current issues.
2. The letters from the Chairperson of the LEPL Department of Common Courts;
3. The draft laws “on Amendments to the Administrative Procedure Code of Georgia" and "Law of Georgia on E-commerce;”
4. Draft ordinance – “Approving the 2023 Action Plan for the Common Courts concerning the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
5. Regarding amending some normative acts;
6. On determining the composition of chambers/panels in some district (city)/appellate courts;
 
Main issues addressed during the session/decisions:

The High Council of Justice members spoke out over the sanctions imposed on judges. Other matters, as previously stated, were postponed.

April 25, 2023

The meeting was initially set on April 10, but it finally took place on April 25. The allotted time for issue discussions was 35 minutes.
Nino Kadagidze, Chairperson of the High Council of Justice and Supreme Court was absent at the session.

Agenda:

1. The letter from the Chairperson of the LEPL Department of Common Courts;
2. Draft ordinance - on  modifying High Council of Justice Resolution No. 1/26, effective March 13, 2020, “on Allocating Money for Residential Apartments Rent to Certain Judges.”
3. The draft laws “On Amendments to the Administrative Procedure Code of Georgia” and “Law of Georgia on E-commerce;”
4. Draft ordinance – “Approving the 2023 Action Plan for the Common Courts concerning the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
5. Regarding amending some normative acts;
6. On determining the composition of chambers/panels in some district (city)/appellate courts;
7. Organizational issues.

Main issues addressed during the session/decisions:

• The letter from the Chairperson of the Department of Courts concerned the apartment rent increase.
• The Council members heard the proposed ordinance, and there was not any disagreement among council members about it.
• The fifth issue was postponed.
• The sixth issue was also postponed.
• The organizational issue discussion concerned the qualification exam of judges. The qualification exam for judges was planned based on a decision of the High Council of Justice of Georgia. In particular, “the first stage (test exam) of the qualification exam of judges will be held on June 4, 2023, and the second stage (written exam) on June 11, 2023. Registration for the examination is open from May 10 to May 24, 2023.”
  

---

The materials distributed by courtwatch.ge and published on the website are the property of "Georgian Court Watch", when using them, "Georgian Court Watch" should be indicated as the source.