Functions of the Department:

The main function of the Department of State Representation in Arbitrations and Foreign Courts is state representation and/or coordination of representation in international arbitration tribunals and foreign courts and, accordingly, protection of the state's interests. The department provides state representation in commercial and investment disputes initiated against Georgia, the Georgian government or executive authorities. The main functions of the department also include settlement of disputes against the state of Georgia and/or initiated by the state of Georgia.

Conducting negotiations with the opposing party or its representatives at any stage of the examination and coordinating the relevant process.

The Department of State Representation in Arbitrations and Foreign Courts also coordinates the enforcement of decisions rendered in favor of the State by arbitral tribunals or foreign courts.

In addition to the above-mentioned main functions, the department has been actively participating in the negotiations of bilateral and multilateral investment and trade agreements for many years. The department's involvement is due to the fact that the accumulated experience and expertise in the process of state representation on investment and commercial disputes in terms of protection of foreign investments and settlement of investment and commercial disputes will be used in the process of negotiations. Also, within the scope of its competence, the Department represents the state in various international organizations on issues of international investment and commercial arbitration and protection of foreign investments. At this stage, the Department represents the state in three international organizations:

1. The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) - within the III working group of the commission, which at this stage includes the fundamental reform of the existing system of dispute resolution between the investor and the state - investment arbitration.
2. The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) established within the framework of the World Bank - negotiations on changing the rules of arbitration and settlement procedures of the Centre, as well as other institutional and administrative provisions of the Centre.
3. Energy Charter Trary (ECT) - in the process of modernizing the Energy Charter, which includes a substantial revision of the Charter's investment protection and investment arbitration provisions.

Contact Information:

Mariam Antia
Head of the Department

Tel: (+995 32) 2 405 044