Government Type: semi-presidential republic
Legal System: civil law
The courts that have jurisdiction over cases concerning civil rights and liberties are called “common courts.” There are three types:
- 34 first-instance courts (akin to our city or district courts). In city court, cases are heard by one judge. In district court, it’s three judges.
- 2 appellate courts (one each for eastern and western Georgia)
- 1 Supreme Court, which is the highest court of appeal, but…
… A separate Constitutional Court is the only institution that can declare a law unconstitutional.
How does one become a judge in Georgia?
- Get a law degree.
- Work as a lawyer for at least five years.
- Pass the judicial qualification examination.
- To be eligible just to take the exam:
- Must be at least 25 years old
- Have the “highest legal education”
- To be eligible just to take the exam:
- Be fluent in Georgian language
- Once you’ve passed the exam, you must at least 30 years old to…
- Apply to the High Council of Justice (includes the Supreme Court Chairman).
- Be accepted into the High School of Justice, get good grades, and behave yourself.
- Ten months later, pass the graduation exam.
- Apply to the High Council of Justice for appointment and get at least 10 votes from the council’s 15 members.
Fun Fact: The Constitutional Court just ruled that marijuana use is protected by the right to “free development of one’s personality.”
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