Lawyers and prosecutors held a working meeting

Lawyers and prosecutors discussed topical issues of the criminal justice procedure. Representatives from the Legal Aid Service, the Georgian Bar Association, the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia attended the event. The discussion was held with the support of the UNDP.

Jamie McGoldrick - UNDP resident representative in Georgia and LAS Director Irakli Kobidze, addressed the participants at the meeting. Constructive dialogue among the prosecution and defense will facilitate Criminal Justice Reform and public accessibility to justice they explained.

Within the scope of the meeting, lawyers and prosecutors covered the following issues: the exchange of information among parties during the investigation process, investigative activities conducted by the defense, prejudicial facts, and examination of evidences at pre-trial hearing, the testimony of the accused, forensic expertise, mandatory defense and others. The participants of the discussion also worked out some recommendations with a view to develop the practice.

Criminal justice reform has been implemented in Georgia since 2005 and encompasses police, prosecution, the judiciary, the bar, penitentiary and probation systems. Legislative novelties are being introduced. The New Criminal Procedure Code, based on the adversarial principle has been functioning in Georgia since October, 2010. This past year, the first trial was held with jury participation.

The Interagency Council coordinates the criminal justice reform in the country. The UNDP, EU, USAID and other organizations support the reform.