The Ministry of Justice of Georgia has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Hedera, one of the leading platforms in the global blockchain ecosystem, paving the way for the introduction of advanced digital technologies in the public sector.

During a meeting between the Minister of Justice of Georgia, Paata Salia, and representatives of Hedera, the parties discussed future avenues of cooperation, including the potential transfer of data from the National Agency of Public Registry to the blockchain network. This step aims to further strengthen the protection of property rights while enhancing transparency and the overall reliability of public services.

Hedera representatives were also briefed on the “smart contract” service implemented by the National Agency of Public Registry, as well as its development prospects. In this context, one of the key areas of interest is the tokenization of real estate, which would convert physical assets into digital units.

To move forward with the integration of these advanced technologies, the next phase involves the creation of joint working groups composed of experts from the Ministry of Justice and the National Agency of Public Registry. These groups will help transition the collaboration with Hedera into an active, operational stage.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) upheld the legal position presented by Georgia’s Ministry of Justice and, based on the submitted evidence, declared the complaints in Pirtskhalava and Y v. Georgia and Goginashvili v. Georgia inadmissible.

In these applications, the complainants alleged that one of the judges of the Supreme Court who examined their cases was biased. Additionally, the applicants in Pirtskhalava and Y claimed that Judge Sh.T. had not been appointed in accordance with the law.

The ECHR accepted the arguments of the Ministry of Justice and declared all three complaints regarding judicial impartiality inadmissible. In its decision, the Strasbourg Court reviewed the reforms undertaken by the Georgian authorities since 2012 to improve the justice system. In particular, it highlighted reforms such as: lifetime judicial appointments, improvements in the procedures for the appointment and promotion of judges, strengthening the role and functional independence of the High Council of Justice, and constitutional amendments that further refined the selection and appointment procedures for Supreme Court judges.

It is worth noting that the ongoing legal proceedings against Irakli Pirtskhalava concern the criminal case related to the murder of Buta Robakidze. Pirtskhalava additionally alleged that his criminal trial had been unfair, arguing that he had not been given the opportunity to question his former co-defendants and other witnesses or effectively challenge the evidence. The Strasbourg Court found no indication of a violation of his right to a fair trial and therefore declared his additional complaints inadmissible as manifestly ill-founded.