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The history of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia

The Ministry of Justice of Georgia, during its existence, over decades, had undergone lots of changes and reorganizations.

The Ministry of Justice in the Independent Georgia was formed after the National Council adopted the Act of Independence of Georgia on 26^th of May 1918.

The Ministry of Justice of Independent Georgia was authorized to rule the judicial organs.

According to the act of 11^th October 1918, a Codification Subdivision was established at the Ministry of Justice that conducted codification of legislation and publishing of official issue “Collection of Laws and resolutions of the Government”. It must also be mentioned, that the Minister of Justice, along with the Minister of Internal Affairs issued instructions concerning registration of acts of civil status.

After declaring Soviet leadership the Ministry of Justice was instituted as a Peoples Commissariat. Based on the resolution of 6^th March 1921 of Revolutionary Committee, People’s commissar belonged to the Council of People’s Commissioners. The authority of the People’s Commissariat of Justice was determined by the resolution of 11^th of March 1921.     

The Statute of the People’s Commissariat of Justice was adopted in 1925, which determined its authority. The People’s Commissariat of Justice carried out overall governance of judicial organs, drafting bills, promulgating Laws of  Republic and resolutions of Government, supervised the work of Board of Defenders and notary's offices. According to the resolution of 17^th January 1930, the authority of People’s Commissariat of Justice was considerably limited and Georgian SSR’s Superior Court was to fulfill its main functions. Nevertheless above mentioned authorities were restored to the commissariat after establishing USSR People’s Commissariat of Justice on 20^th of July 1936 and according to the resolution of Georgian SSR’s State Commissariat Council. At the same time Georgian SSR People’s Commissariat of Justice was subordinated directly to the USSR People’s Commissariat of Justice.    

After adopting 1937 Georgian SSR Constitution, which determined the main principles of organization and authority of Court and Prosecutors office, the resolution was adopted on 26^th of March of 1940, which defined the authority and structure of People’s Commissariat of Justice. In 1946 the name of People’s Commissariat of Justice was changed and it was called the Ministry of Justice.

The issue of subordination of the People’s Commissariat of Justice and Prosecutor’s office in this period must be mentioned separately. On the 15^th of November in 1922 Georgian SSR Prosecutor’s office was established, that belonged to the People’s Commissariat as a division. People’s Commissar fulfilled the functions of the Prosecutor of the Republic. On 17^th of January in 1930 the Prosecutor’s office was established as an independent body and after three years, according to the resolution of 4^th of January of 1933 “About formation of Georgian SSR People’s Commissariat” of Georgian Central Executive Committee and State Commissariat Council, the State Prosecutor’s Office was again established in the department of People’s Commissariat of Justice, although since 1936 as a result of establishing USSR People’s Commissariat of Justice, the Prosecutors Office was finally established as an independent state organ.

 In 1956 following the government reorganization in USSR, the USSR Ministry of Justice was abolished, on this basis Georgian SSR Union Republic Ministry of Justice changed into Republic Ministry. Quite soon, in 1959, the ministry was abolished and its functions were distributed among Georgian SSR Supreme Court and Law Commission at the Georgian SSR Council of Ministers.

In 1970 Georgian SSR Ministry of Justice was established again, the statute of which was adopted in 1972 August the 7^th, that was in force till 20^th of December 1993, taking into account the amendments and appendixes (among them, amendments and appendixes adopted after the first multi-party elections, that took place in Georgia).

After gaining independence and adopting the Constitution of Georgia, several statutes functioned in particular: the statutes of 20^th December of 1993, 8^th April of 1996, 22^nd of 1997, 31^st May of 1999, 13^th March of 2000 and 30^th October of 2000 that determined the competence and the structure of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.

The competence of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia has significantly changed several times: in connection with entering into force of an organic law “About General Courts” (June the 8^th 1997), organizational management was outside of sphere of administration of the Ministry of Justice. At the same time, after self-government organs elections in Georgia (1998) registration of normative acts issued by local self-government (government) organs and supervising its accordance with legislation is in competence of the Ministry of Justice. By analogy of the Ministries of Justice of advanced democratic states, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia acquired the most important competence, such as: governing the Penitentiary system and its organizational leadership (from the 1^st January of 2000), as well as the function of Public and Civil Register (2004), governing State Archives (2004); organizational maintenance of effective governing system, as well as of State Commission of territorial settlement reform and activities of its workgroups (2006) and other important powers.

Nowadays, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, in realization of its activities, conducts in accordance with the resolution of government of Georgia №70 of 30 November 2004. According to it, the Ministry of Justice of Georgia is a government institution, that fulfills the goals imposed by Law or by Government and Prime-minister to ensure the state governance in the entrusted sphere.

The Ministers of Justice of Independent Georgia

Shalva Aleksi-Meskhishvili – 1918-1919

Shalva Aleksi-Meskhishvili was born in Telavi  in 1884.

In 1902-1904 he studied in Odessa University, from where he was expelled because of taking part in students’ revolutionary movement. In 1909 he graduated the Kharkovi University Law Faculty. 

From 1910 he began law practice. He was one of the leaders of Socialist-Federalist Party. He left the party and was the Minister of Justice in 1918-1919.

After Soviet Regime establishment in Georgia, Shalva Aleksi-Meskhishvili hasn’t emigrated from homeland He showed himself at “Adjarians’ case” (during WW II). As it was said, Adjarians have raised an upheaval and have come over to Turkish side. Russians took an occasion and attacked Adjarians. Shalva Aleksi-Meskhishvili defended the accused persons.

Shalva Aleksi-Meskhishvili died in 1960.

Razhden Arsenidze – 1919-1921

Razhden Arsenidze was born in village Sochkheti, on October 1 1880.

He studied in Kutaisi Theological Seminary. After graduating he was enrolled in Uriel University, where he studied Law.

He was a Social-Democrat. He was exiled to Siberia and after 1917 February Revolution has returned to Georgia.

He took part in formation of an Act of Independence of 26^th of May, 1918.

In 1919 Razhden Asanidze was the Minister of Justice of Independent Georgia. In 1921 he was forced to emigrate. He died on 24 of May, 1921, in Leville, France.

Evgeni Gegechkori 1921

Evgeni Gegechkori was born in 1880.

After graduating from Kutaisi Gymnasium he continued his education in Moscow University, that he graduated from in 1906. In 1903 Evgeni Gegechkori affiliated himself with a Social-Democratic Party. In 1903-1904 he was actively taking part in students’ movements.

Evgeni Gegechkori was systematically collaborating with legal Social Democratic publishing houses while being elected as a member of a 3^rd recall State Duma. In the period of  February revolution 1917 he was appointed a Commissar of Temporary (provisional) Government of Kutaisi Province. He was also a Head of Menshevik-SR’s first recall Soldiers Council.

Since 1917 he was the head of South Caucasian Government (Seim). During mentioned period he was actively fighting against Bolsheviks.

On 2 May 1918 Evgeni Gegechkori was appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Independent Georgia and on 12 March 1919 on the basis of the resolution of Constituent Assembly, he took up a post of Minister of Foreign Affairs and then – in 1921 – post of Minister of Justice.

In 1921, after establishing Soviet regime in Georgia Evgeni Gegechkori, along with Menshevik government has fled from Georgia.

Johni Khetsuriani – 1990-1992 – 1999-2000

Johni Khetsuriani was born in village Lailash, Tsageri region, on 23 November 1951.

He received his secondary education in Kutaisi. He graduated from Tbilisi State University, faculty of Law (1973) and faculty of Economics (1988).

In 1973-1976 he studied in graduate school of Institute of Economy and Law of Georgian Science Academy.

In 1976-1979 he worked as a research officer (research assistant) in the Institute of Economy and Law of Georgian Science Academy.

In 1977 he maintained a Ph.D. thesis “The meaning of Moral Norms in Civil Law” in Kharkovi Law Institute.

In 1980-1985 he worked in Party organizations of Tbilisi and Kutaisi; he supervised law enforcing organs. In 1985-1989 he continued his scientist work in the Institute of Economy and Law of Georgian Academy of Science as a senior science officer, as a head of laboratory of legal problems of govern and as a deputy director of research centre of Georgian Academy of Science in the field of science.  

In 1990 he was appointed the First Deputy Minister of Justice.

In 1990-1992 and in 1999-2000 he was a Minister of Justice of Georgia.

In 1992-1994 he was an assistant professor of Tbilisi State University, since 1994 – professor. In 1994 he defended thesis for a Doctor's degree “The functions of Civil Law”.

In 1995-1999 he worked as a Parliamentary Secretary of President of Georgia.

In 1999-2000 he was a member of Security Council of Georgia, a member Judicial Council of Georgia.

He has published great number of scientific works, among them 6 books concerning problems of Civil Law, Constitution and Criminal Law.

He is a member of Thesis Council of Tbilisi State University Law faculty and a member of Presidium of Scholar Experts’ Council of Georgia.

He is awarded a special rank of Chief State Adviser of Justice and a rank (grade) of Higher Qualification Judge.

Konstantin Kemularia – 1992-1993 – 2004-2005

Konstantine Kemularia was born in Khobi, in 1954.

In 1975 he graduated from Tbilisi State University after Iv. Javakhishvili, the faculty of Law.

After graduating from University he has worked in the Prosecutors Office in Sokhumi. In 1976 he was transferred to the Prosecutor’s office in Kutaisi as a senior investigator, where he worked till November 1979. After that, he worked in Institute of Law of Georgian Academy of Science as a science associate officer.

In 1980 he was enrolled in the graduate school of State and Law Institute of Union Science Academy (Moscow). In 1980-1993 he was a research assistant of the same institute. In 1983 he defended a Ph.D. thesis in the Law of Criminal Procedure.

In 1983 he was appointed senior scientist in the Law Institute of the Science Academy of Georgia where he worked until 1987.

In 1987-1992 he was a prosecutor of Prosecutor’s division of Republic of Georgia, a Prosecutor of Chiatura, a Deputy Manager of the Prosecutor’s Department of the Republic of Georgia, a Head of the Division; he was chosen a Member of Board of Prosecutor’s office. In the same period he was Senior Lecturer of Tbilisi State University.

In 1992-1993 he was a Minister of the Justice of Georgia.

In 1994-1995 he was a head of Moscow Legal service “Iniurconsalting”.

In 1995 he established an international Legal Company “Iniurservice” in Tbilisi.

In 1998 he was chosen a member of Tbilisi Sakrebulo (Assembly). He headed the Legal Commission of the Assembly. 

In 1994-2004 he was a Member of Parliament, the head of faction “National Movement”.

From February 2004 till June 2004 he was an Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Russian Federation.

From June 2004 till 17 February 2005 he was a Chairman of Supreme Court of Georgia.

From February 18 2005 tell December 2005 he was a Minister of Justice of Georgia and a Vice-Premier.

Married, has 3 children.

Tedo Ninidze – 1993-1998

Tedo Ninidze was born in village Askana, Ozurgeti region, on 2 January 1950.

In 1971 he graduated from Tbilisi State University, the Faculty of Law. In 1974 he graduated from the graduate school of USSR State and Law Institute of Science Academy, with specialty of Civil Law.

In 1978-1989 he worked in the Institute of Economy and Law of the Science Academy. In 1998-1990 he was a Deputy of Supreme Soviet of Georgia. In 1991-1992 he was a chairman of Legal Commission of Supreme Soviet.

In 1992-1993 he was a General Prosecutor of Georgia.

1993-1998 he was a Minister of Justice of Georgia.

He is a senior lecturer of the Tbilisi State University.

Married, has one son.

Lado Chanturia – 1998-1999

Lado Chanturia was born in village Jvari, Tsalendjikhsa region, on 14 April 1963.

In 1980 he graduated from 1^st secondary school of Jvari. In the same year he was enrolled in Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Law, which he graduated from in 1985 with honors.

In 1986-1989 he studied in graduate school of the Union Soviet Legislation Research Institute, where he has maintained a Ph.D. thesis.

1991-1993 he passed science-based probation in Gatingen University, Law faculty, as a scholar of German Interchange Office. In the same place he finished the work on his doctoral thesis which he maintained in 1994.

1985-1995 he was a laboratory assistant, assistant and senior lecturer of the Civil Law Chair of Tbilisi State University.

From 1993 till 1996 he was an adviser to the Minister of Justice of Georgia.

In 1997-1999 he was a member of Council of Justice.

In 1998-1999 he was a Minister of Justice of Georgia.

In 1993-1996 he was a Coordinator of German Technical Cooperation Society in Tbilisi. A lot of drafts were prepared with collaboration of German colleagues within the framework of this project, which are aimed at reforming Private Law in Georgia.

Since 1996 he is an expert of German Technical Cooperation Society on matters of reforms of Private Law in states with transforming economy.

He is an author of more than 60 research studies, the part of which are published abroad. 

Married, has two children.

Mikheil Saakashvili – 2000-2001

Mikheil Saakashvili was born in Tbilisi, on 21 December 1967.

In 1984 he graduated with honours from Tbilisi Secondary School N51.

In 1995-1996 he studied law at the doctoral level at The George Washington University National Centre of Law in Washington, D.C.

In 1994 he received Master’s Degree in Law in Columbia University, where he studied as a Scholar of Congress of United States of America.

In 1992 he graduated from Kiev University International Relations Institute, the faculty of International Relations.

He was awarded a diploma in Comparative Law of Human Rights in France, Strasbourg.

He worked in Norwegian State Committee of Human Rights and in New York’s biggest Law firm.

In 1995-1999 he was a Member of Parliament of Georgia.

In 1995 he was elected a Chairman of Constitutional, Law and Legality Committee of Parliament.

On 24 January 2000 he was elected a Vice-president of Council of Europe.

On 12 October 2000 he was appointed a Minister of Justice of Georgia.

In 2001 he resigned as a Minister of Justice over the corruption within the government.

Married, has two children.

Roland Giligashvili – 2001-2003

Roland Giligashvili was born in village Arashenda, Gurjaani region, on 18 March 1952.

In 1974 he graduated from Tbilisi State University, faculty of Law. In 1978-1983 he worked as a prosecutor in Tbilisi Prosecutors Courts’ division of Criminal Law, Supervising and Investigation department.

In 1983-1986 he worked as a Prosecutor of Kalinini district.

In 1986-1997 he worked as a Deputy Head of Investigatory Department of Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia.

In 1987-1999 he was a deputy of Minster of Justice.

In 1999-2001 he was a Member of Parliament of Georgia and a chairman of Procedural Issues and Rules Committee.

In 2001-2003 Roland Giligashvili was a Minister of Justice of Georgia.

Married, has a child.

Zurab Adeishvili – 2003-2004

Zurab Adeishvili was born in village Mtisdziri, Kvareli region, on 27 July 1972.

In 1988 he graduated from Mtisdziri secondary school.

In 1994 he graduated from Tbilisi State University after Iv. Javakhishvili, the Faculty of Law.

In 1997 he was enrolled in graduate school of State and Law Institute.

In 1998-1999 he studied in Netherlands, at master’s level in the Royal University of Groningen, faculty of Law.

From February 996 till June 1999 he worked in the Parliament of Georgia – as a leading specialist of Constitutional, Legal issues and Legality Committee.

From June 1999 till September 1999 he was an Executive Director of Law (Legal) Education.

From September 1999 till November 1999 he worked as a legal expert (jurist) in Law firm “Okruashvili and Partners”.

From November 1999 till May 2002 he was a Member of Parliament of Georgia, a Chairman of Subcommittee of Legal Issues, Legality and Administrative Reforms Committee, a First Deputy of the Chairman and later, a Chairman of the same Committee.

From May 2002 till December 2003 he was a Member of Parliament.

Since December 2003 till February 2004 he was a Minister of Justice of Georgia.

Married, has two children.

George Papuashvili – 2004-2005

George Papuashvili was born in Tbilisi, on 26 December 1972.

In 1990 he graduated from Tbilisi State University, the faculty of Law and International Relations.

In 1996-1997 he studied in Budapest at Masters Level, at the CEU, where he received Masters Degree in Political Science.

In 1996-2000 he studied in Washington, DC, at Masters Level of the University of America, where he received a Degree in Legal Sciences.

In 1996-1999 he worked as a leading specialist of Constitutional, Legal Issues and Legality Committee and later as a head of the Stuff Office of Parliament of Georgia.

In 2000 he worked as an expert and later, as a Head of the Stuff Office of Anticorruption Program workout Group.

Since December 2000 till March 2004 he was working in the Fund “Open Society - Georgia” as a director of program “Supremacy of Law”.

From 17 February 2004 till January 2005 he was a Minister of Justice of Georgia.

He gives lectures in Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA)

He is an author of 6 research studies.

Married, has two children.

Gia Kavtaradze - 2005-2007

Key Qualifications:

Mr. Gia Kavtaradze is a lawyer specializing in international law.
Mr. Gia Kavtaradze held a number of progressively responsible positions with the Georgian government, including the highest executive position of an Executive Secretary of the Council of Justice of Georgia, being responsible for administration of judicial reform in Georgia, and Chairman of Central Election Commission.
In December 2005 Mr. Gia Kavtaradze has been appointed a Minister of Justice of Georgia.
Mr. Gia Kavtaradze has an extensive management expertise in non-governmental organizations as well. He has contemporary project management experience in the wide variety of project operation activities, including office and financial management, expenditure control, program development, budgeting, project monitoring, and staff oversight. Educational Background
01/1993 - 12/1993, School of Law, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Received the Degree of Master of Comparative Law in December, 1993. Coursework included Introduction to American Law, Constitutional Law, International Trade, Comparative Law, Admiralty, International Law, EC Law, and Corporations courses, and Research in Banking Law. For the purposes of an independent Research in Banking Law he drafted “The Law of the Republic of Georgia on Deposit Insurance and the State Agency for Deposit Insurance.” He took required 24 credit/hours of work in completing the LL.M. program.
09/1987 - 06/1992, Department of International Law and International Relations, Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
Coursework included 22 major areas of study and other 23 minor required courses. Passed Georgian National Bar exams. Achieved a GPA of 5.0 (5.0 scale). Awarded “The Red Diploma” (the highest award) for distinction in studies.
Work Experience: