A joint initiative of the European Union (EU) and UNDP to promote the use of fair and efficient mediation and arbitration in commercial disputes, enhance professionalism of Georgian mediators and arbitrators and improve business environment and access to justice

Summary

Enhanced Mediation and Arbitration for Faster and Fairer Dispute Resolution is a joint initiative of the European Union (EU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Working closely with the Georgian Government, judiciary, private sector and educational institutions, the European Union and UNDP will continue promoting the use of fair and efficient mediation and arbitration in commercial disputes, enhancing professionalism of Georgian mediators and arbitrators and thus assisting the country to improve business environment and access to justice.

Improvement of Georgia’s business and investment environment has been defined as one of the key priorities of the EU-Georgia Association Agenda, which confirmed the need to develop Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to facilitate economic development, improve business environment and ensure better legal system and access to justice.

The new phase of assistance to Alternative Dispute Resolution in Georgia builds on the results of EU-UN joint programme “Justice for All” implemented in 2016-2018. With the budget of EUR 850 000, the project is being implemented in 2019-2020, contributing to the EU’s larger programme EU4Business as well as to Georgia’s progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Expected results

The project is expected to the following two areas:
1. The enhanced use of quality arbitration and mediation through strengthening relevant institutions.
2. The enhanced capacity and qualification of mediators, arbitrators, legal professionals and judiciary to promote consistent, efficient and fast resolution of commercial disputes.

The concrete results include:

• Effective implementation of the Laws on Mediation and Arbitration.
• Developed capacities of the mediation and arbitration institutions.
• Increased use of arbitration and mediation, including in-court and out-of-court mediation.
• Increased number of qualified mediators and arbitrators through institutionalization of education programmes.
• Enhanced capacities of judiciary and legal professionals, including law students, in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Funded by the European Union

Contact information

Project address

15a Paliashvili Street
Tbilisi 0179 Tbilisi

Contact persons

Liana Kartsivadze
Project Manager
liana.kartsivadze@undp.org

Gigi Bregadze
UNDP Democratic Governance Team Leader
gigi.bregadze@undp.org