The Minister of Justice of Georgia hosted a high-level delegation from the Council of Europe led by Gianluca Esposito, the Council of Europe’s Director General of Human Rights and Rule of Law. The parties discussed cooperation between the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the Council of Europe’s human rights protection mechanisms, as well as future activities. Particular attention was paid to the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and cooperation in this area.

The Minister of Justice emphasised Georgia’s consistent and effective cooperation with the Committee of Ministers in the execution of judgments of the Strasbourg Court and highlighted the progress achieved in this area.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Justice, was also attended by Mr Beka Dzamashvili, First Deputy Minister of Justice; Ms Nino Nikolaishvili, Head of the Department of State Representation to the International Courts; Ms Ketevan Sarajishvili, Head of the Department of International Relations and Legal Cooperation; Mr Frédéric Dolt, Head of the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, and representatives of the Department; and Mr William Massolin, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Georgia.

Georgian Justice Minister Paata Salia hosted Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, at Tbilisi Public Service Hall.

The Vietnamese government delegation was introduced to Georgia’s innovative model for delivering public services during a visit to the capital’s central Public Service Hall. The guests learned about the details of the one-stop-shop concept, which enables citizens to access fast, high-quality services in one place.

Justice Minister Paata Salia, Deputy Minister Lana Morgoshia, and Head of the Public Service Hall Vakhtang Jvania guided the Vietnamese Vice President and members of the government delegation through the service areas and presented the technological innovations being introduced into the Public Service Hall’s daily operations.

The guests were briefed on the nearly 600 services available through 127 branches across Georgia. Particular attention was given to the Mobile Public Service Hall initiative, which brings public services directly to people living in mountainous settlements and remote areas far from district centers.

Vo Thi Anh Xuan noted that Vietnam was embarking on a process of digital transformation and that learning from Georgia’s experience in public service delivery would be valuable. The discussions also addressed the possibility of establishing joint working groups to facilitate further consultations and cooperation.

The Vietnamese government delegation, led by the Vice President, is making its first-ever high-level official visit to Georgia.

Georgia’s Minister of Justice, Paata Salia, congratulated employees of the Ministry and its subordinate agencies on Justice Day, thanking them for their daily hard work, professionalism, and dedication to their duties.

The Minister highlighted the important role played by justice system employees in strengthening state institutions and delivering high-quality services to citizens. He noted that the system’s greatest asset is its people, whose knowledge, experience, and collective efforts form the foundation of its success.

As part of the event, Paata Salia presented certificates of appreciation to employees in recognition of their many years of dedicated service and outstanding contributions to the justice system.

Justice Day is celebrated on 11 October. The date commemorates the establishment, in 1918, of the first structural unit within the Ministry of Justice — the Codification Department.

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.