22:00, 4 April 2013

Georgia's Parliament adopts amendments to the Law "On General Courts"

Today, the Georgian MPs have approved by a majority vote in the third reading the amendments to the Law "On General Courts".

The Georgia's Supreme Council of Justice is overseeing the judicial system and has the power of appointing and dismissing judges, as well as implementing disciplinary proceedings against them. Today, the Council of Justice has nine justices – the Chair of the Supreme Court (who is also the Chair of the Supreme Council of Justice), and eight judges, approved in 2007 by the Judicial Conference. The powers of the board expire in 2015.

Today, 81 MPs voted for the amendments to the Law "On General Courts"; while 16 voted against. The amendments assume, in particular, new regulations on forming the Supreme Council of Justice, the "Georgia Online" reports.

The oppositional "United National Movement" has refused to support the amendments, believing they are not fully compliant with the recommendations of the Venice Commission, the GHN writes.