Int'l Conference Tbilisi Mediation Days Opens in Tbilisi

TBILISI– On November 21, n international conference Tbilisi Mediation Days opened. The conference aims to enhance mediation in Georgia as an alternative method of dispute resolution, and contribute to ongoing reforms in the system of justice.

The event brought together prominent experts and practitioners from six countries, including for the US,UK, Poland and Slovenia, top Georgian professionals in the field of mediation, representatives of the Georgian Government, civil society, educational institutions and international organizations.

“Mediation has a great importance for the parties to a dispute who resolve their problems in a speedier and less costly way. On the other hand, mediation helps release the courts from excessive caseload and improve access to justice. Sharing the best international practice in mediation will assist Georgia to develop legal framework in this field,” said Aleksandre Baramidze, First Deputy of Minister of Justice of Georgia, in his welcome remarks to the conference participants.  

The conference will address a range of topics, including for a draft Law on Mediation in Georgia. The conference participants will also discuss a research “Mediation in Georgia – From Traditions to Modern Days” which examines centuries-long traditional mediation practices.

The two-day conference will end with a master class for students.

“Greater use of alternative dispute resolution processes, particularly mediation, is part of Georgia’s Association Agreement with the European Union. To achieve progress in this area, the European Union closely works with the main stakeholders in the national justice system and academia, as well as with our international partners,” said Kaido Sirel, Deputy Head of Cooperation Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia.

Tbilisi Mediation Days is supported by the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the EU-UN Joint Programme “Justice for All”, and by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), East West Management Institute under the project “Promoting Rule of Law in Georgia” and German International Cooperation (GIZ) under the project “Legal Approximation towards European Standards in the South Caucasus“.

The conference is organized in cooperation with the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University National Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution (NCADR), Georgian Court Mediators’ and Georgian Mediators’ Associations.