Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) has compiled a comprehensive report on the state of the Georgian judiciary in 2023.
This report not only synthesizes insights from esteemed bodies like the Venice Commission and the European Commission concerning judicial reform but also scrutinizes critical issues such as the disciplining of judges, the resurgence of familiar figures in key justice system positions, the activities of the High Council of Justice, and the significant decisions it has undertaken.
Given Georgia's aspiration to join the EU, effective justice reform stands out as a priority. However, the European Commission's evaluation suggests that Georgia has made limited progress in this direction. Furthermore, the U.S. State Department has imposed sanctions on three current judges and one former judge, with attempts to establish an investigative commission on this matter failing three times.
The reemergence of familiar figures in crucial roles, including the Independent Inspector, the Independent Council of the High School of Justice, and members of the Prosecutor's Council, has raised concerns. Despite the addition of five new non-judge members to the High Council of Justice after a prolonged pause, the absence of dissenting opinions within the council remains conspicuous.
In terms of judicial appointments, 2023 witnessed the addition of one new judge, with 33 judges appointed for life until reaching the legal age. The release of eight judges, including Nino Giorgadze, who was denied a lifelong appointment after the probationary period, marked significant developments.
The High Council of Justice's persistent practice of postponing sessions is highlighted, with only 33 out of 71 scheduled meetings in 2023 taking place. The Chairman of the Council, Nino Kadagidze, was absent from 20 sessions. Additionally, the Council has refrained from publishing decisions made in the last six months.
For a more in-depth exploration of these critical issues and others, please refer to the complete version of the report.
