Minister of Justice of Georgia Paata Salia met with 189 interns selected to join the Justice Ministry system under the state-paid internship program initiated by the Prime Minister.

The Minister congratulated the young students on successfully completing the selection process and noted that the internship represents an important first step into a professional environment and an opportunity to gain practical experience. He encouraged the interns to make the most of the program, take initiative, ask questions, share their views, and actively engage in the work of their respective institutions.

Paata Salia stressed that the Ministry of Justice views the internship not only as an opportunity for young people to acquire professional knowledge and practical skills, but also as an important mechanism for attracting young, qualified professionals to the system. The Ministry aims to ensure that, for successful interns, the program can lead to further professional development and employment opportunities.

In 2026, a total of 293 internship vacancies were announced across the Ministry of Justice and 12 legal entities under public law within its system, attracting 6,639 applications. Following the selection process, 189 interns were selected.

In 2025, 109 of the 156 interns admitted under the program had their internships extended, with some subsequently securing employment.

The internship lasts three months, with the possibility of extension. The program is paid, and the internship period counts toward the interns’ work experience and length of service.

The forum focused on sharing experience and professional practices between representatives of the Georgian and British legal professions, strengthening professional ties, and discussing areas for future cooperation. Key topics included cross-border business activities, the practice of applying English law, and dispute resolution mechanisms, including international arbitration.

As part of the event, Beka Dzamashvili conveyed a message from the Minister of Justice to the participants and highlighted the importance of maintaining regular dialogue between members of the legal professions of Georgia and the United Kingdom. He noted that meetings in this format facilitate the exchange of experience and strengthen practical cooperation on international legal matters.

Following the forum, a bilateral meeting with British lawyers was held at the Ministry of Justice. During the meeting, the First Deputy Minister briefed the guests on the activities of the Ministry of Justice, its priority areas, and its future plans.

The discussion covered the Ministry's work in protecting the interests of the state before international courts and in international arbitration proceedings. Particular attention was drawn to the Ministry's role not only in managing international disputes and representing the state, but also in preventing potential disputes and mitigating legal risks.

Beka Dzamashvili also spoke about reforms implemented in the judicial system and progress made in the field of human rights protection. The meeting also highlighted the declining trend in the number of cases pending against Georgia before the European Court of Human Rights. The discussion further addressed the importance of continued development of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including mediation and arbitration.

The meeting at the Ministry of Justice was also attended by Irakli Kandashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Bar Association; Ana Ivanishvili, Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations and Legal Cooperation of the Ministry of Justice; and Mariam Antia, Head of the Department for State Representation in Arbitration Proceedings and Foreign Courts.