Ruling party to publish judicial reform strategy, action plan by October 1

The ruling Georgian Dream party will publish its judicial reform strategy and action plan by October 1, with relevant legislative amendments to be submitted to the Parliament by November 1, party Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze said on Friday.

Kobakhidze noted the deadlines were provided by the plan drawn up by the ruling team for the implementation of the 12 conditions outlined by the European Council for granting the country the European Union membership candidate status later this year.

The strategy developed by the ruling party covers the judicial reform, changes in the procedure for electing the Prosecutor General, and issues of electing non-judicial members of the Supreme Council of Justice.

Kobakhidze also said a judicial reform working group had already been created at the Legal Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Georgia, in which all Parliamentary political parties were represented. 

He added the working group would prepare a strategy and action plan for judicial reform based on an “in-depth analysis” of the current situation in the judicial system, in addition to developing a package of relevant bills.

He also emphasised the Parliament would announce a competition for the selection of non-judge members of the Supreme Council of Justice no later than September 30, with voting for the election of members of the Council to be held no later than November 15.