According to the latest index by Varieties of Democracy, Georgia ranks 27th in the world and ninth in Europe for freedom from government attacks on judicial justice. The country is also among the top three in the post-Soviet space in this regard. The index, based on research conducted by the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, involves over 4,000 experts worldwide. Georgia's ranking is ahead of 21 European Union states and all membership candidate countries. This represents a significant improvement for Georgia, as it has moved up 69 places since 2012 [647f1221].
This achievement highlights Georgia's commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the independence of the judiciary. It demonstrates the progress made in ensuring that the judicial system remains free from government interference and attacks. This is crucial for maintaining a fair and transparent legal system that upholds the rights and freedoms of its citizens.
The ranking also reflects the efforts of the Georgian government to implement reforms aimed at strengthening the judiciary and enhancing its independence. These reforms have included measures to increase transparency, accountability, and professionalism within the judicial system. The government's commitment to these reforms has been recognized internationally, and the improved ranking is a testament to the positive impact of these efforts.
Georgia's progress in this area is particularly noteworthy given its post-Soviet context. The country has emerged from a history of authoritarian rule and has worked diligently to build a democratic society based on the principles of the rule of law. The recognition of Georgia's achievements in the area of judicial justice is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people and institutions.
Moving forward, it is important for Georgia to continue its efforts to strengthen the judiciary and ensure its independence. This includes ongoing reforms, such as improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial system, enhancing access to justice, and addressing any remaining challenges or concerns. By doing so, Georgia can further consolidate its position as a leader in the region in terms of freedom from government attacks on judicial justice [647f1221].
In line with its commitment to enhancing the quality of legal work and embracing technology, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia recently organized a presentation under the project 'Digital Academy of Legal Technology.' The winning project aims to teach lawyers about the technological aspects of handling technology-related cases and improve the quality of their work. The project will be implemented in cooperation with Oxford University's LegalTech Association and German LegalTech Company KnowledgeTools International. This initiative is part of the Ministry of Justice's efforts to finance 17 projects under the grant competition this year [ab3448b1].
This project demonstrates Georgia's recognition of the importance of legal technology education in the modern legal landscape. By equipping lawyers with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate technology-related cases, Georgia is taking proactive steps to adapt to the changing nature of legal practice. This will ultimately contribute to a more efficient and effective judicial system that can better serve the needs of its citizens.
The combination of Georgia's commitment to judicial independence and its embrace of legal technology education positions the country as a progressive leader in the region. These initiatives not only strengthen the rule of law but also enhance access to justice and promote transparency within the legal system. As Georgia continues to prioritize these areas, it is poised to further enhance its reputation as a model for other countries aspiring to build strong and independent judicial systems [647f1221] [ab3448b1].
According to the 17th annual report of the CoE Committee of Ministers “Supervision of the Execution of Judgments and Decisions of the ECHR 2023”, published on April 11, most of the new violations in 2023 in Georgia concerned violations of the applicant’s right to freedom of assembly. In 2023, the Committee of Ministers received 15 new cases against Georgia from the ECHR for monitoring its implementation, five more cases than in the previous year 2022. Of these 15 cases, twelve were repetitive cases and three were leading cases. By the end of 2023, a total of 78 cases were pending. Of these 78 cases, 51 were repetitive cases and 27 were leading cases. At the end of 2023, 13 leading cases were pending for more than five years. Full payment of the “just satisfaction” awarded by the Court was registered in twelve cases in 2023, while confirmation of full payment and/or default interest was awaited in three cases for which the deadline indicated in the Court’s judgment has passed since more than six months. The report also highlights some high-level cases, including Georgia v. Russia (I), Georgia v Russia (II), Merabishvili v Georgia, Tsintsabadze group v. Georgia, and Identoba and Others v. Georgia [57e334f6].