Georgia’s Minister of Justice, Paata Salia, met with Irakli Kandashvili, Chair of the Georgian Bar Association. The meeting focused on issues related to lawyers’ work in penitentiary institutions, including the procedures governing the removal from these institutions of notes made by lawyers during meetings with inmates.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized the obligation of the Special Penitentiary Service to ensure security and maintain order in penitentiary institutions, as well as to enforce the restrictions established by law.

The Minister noted that freedom to practice law and the confidentiality of communication between lawyers and inmates are rights guaranteed by law. At the same time, it is important to ensure that these guarantees are not used to circumvent security rules or other statutory restrictions applicable within penitentiary institutions.

The parties discussed current practices in detail, exchanged legal arguments and considered possible mechanisms for resolving the issue.

The meeting took place in a constructive atmosphere. Both parties underscored the importance of finding a legal and practical solution that safeguards lawyers’ professional rights while taking into account the security interests of penitentiary institutions.

To reach a final resolution of the matter, the Georgian Bar Association will continue consultations with the Special Penitentiary Service.

The General Meeting of Notaries elected the Chair and members of the Board. The election was conducted by secret ballot using an electronic voting system. Notary Davit Imnadze won the election for Chair of the Board by securing a majority of the votes.

Candidates for Chair, Deputy Chair and Board membership presented their action plans to notaries and invited guests, outlining their vision for the further development of the notarial profession and their proposed new initiatives.

Addressing the General Meeting, Minister of Justice Paata Salia emphasized the important role notaries play in upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights. He highlighted the achievements of the Notary Chamber of Georgia in international cooperation and its integration into the European notarial community. The Minister noted that in 2024, the Notary Chamber of Georgia became an observer member of the Council of the Notariats of the European Union (CNUE).

Paata Salia also thanked Ekaterine Nandoshvili for her significant contribution to the development of the notarial profession.

Deputy Minister of Justice Lana Morgoshia also addressed the notaries, speaking about the reforms implemented in the notarial system and the progress achieved between 2023 and 2026. During this period, significant legislative and institutional changes were introduced: the Statute of the Notary Chamber was updated, amendments were made to the Instruction on the Procedure for Performing Notarial Acts, the Chamber adopted a new organizational structure, and a new electronic notarial register was established.

In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Minister of Justice Giorgi Dgebuadze highlighted the importance of developing the notarial system, improving the quality of notarial services, and providing services tailored to citizens’ needs.

The General Meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Justice, notaries, and staff of the Notary Chamber of Georgia.