Georgian Dream Presents Judicial Reform Action Plan
On October 3, Anri Okhanashvili, a member of parliament for the Georgian Dream party in power and the head of the Legal Issues Committee, unveiled an action plan for judicial reform. According to him, the working group created the plan for judicial changes based on the 12 suggestions made by the European Commission for achieving EU candidate status.
According to MP Okhanashvili, the paper, created by the working group with the maximum engagement of pertinent organizations, including the Public Defender's Office, represents the suggestions offered by various parties.
MP Okhanashvili claims that the action plan for judicial reform highlights difficulties like:
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ensuring the ideal number of judges and court employees to carry out assigned tasks and obligations within a fair amount of time and while maintaining a good standard of work;
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reducing the volume and quantity of cases pending in court, which necessitates the development and promotion of alternative conflict resolution mechanisms, including arbitration and mediation;
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enhancing the reasons that go along with court rulings and further fostering the judges' and court employees' professional growth;
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enhancing the process for putting European Court of Human Rights rulings into effect;
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enhancing the social protection of judges and striving to improve justice's openness; further enhancing public knowledge of the Court and its communications with the public;
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enhancing the systems that guard against false information intended to undermine the Court;
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strengthening the jury court system even further;
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increasing the use of technological devices in court hearings;
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enhancing the legal system's physical, technical, and technological infrastructure; introducing new services; creating a completely accessible environment for people with impairments; and creating a suitable environment while keeping in mind the best interests of the kid.
According to MP Okhanashvili, any future legal modifications to the judiciary should not stall justice or postpone the right to a fair trial but rather strengthen the judicial system further and shield the court from reputational damage.
The MP claims that other ideas, particularly those from certain political parties, such as raising the High Council of Justice (HCoJ) quorum requirement [also known as the double 2/3 rule] and altering the process for choosing the Court Chairpersons, would not be satisfied. Additionally, he said that no other developed democratic state had such provisions.