On Legal Aid
Text of the document
📑 Contents (37 articles)
Law of Georgia
On Legal Aid
Article 1. Purpose of the Law🔗
1. The purpose of this Law is to create a stable and reliable legal aid system oriented on social need, necessary for ensuring the right to defence guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and international treaties, and an effective system of administration of legal aid for the transparent and effective spending of budgetary funds.
2. Everyone has the right, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law, to enjoy consistent and qualified legal consultation and legal aid at the expense of the State.
3. Legal aid is based on the principles of legality and equality of the parties and ensures unimpeded enjoyment of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia.
4. In accordance with the procedure established by this Law, legal consultation shall be provided on any legal issue, and legal aid shall be ensured during criminal, civil and administrative proceedings.
Article 2. Definition of terms used in the Law🔗
The terms used in this Law have the following meaning:
a) legal aid – drafting of legal documents, representation in court in connection with administrative and civil cases and in an administrative body, as well as in criminal proceedings, at the expense of the State;
b) legal consultation – legal advice accessible to everyone on any legal issue;
c) Register of invited public attorneys (hereinafter – the Register) – a list of attorneys carrying out legal aid, compiled by the Legal Aid Service on the basis of data of the Georgian Bar Association;
d) public attorney – an attorney of a legal aid bureau, a legal aid provider or an attorney registered in the Register, who carries out legal aid on the basis of this Law;
e) legal aid provider (hereinafter – the provider) – a legal entity of private law or an attorney carrying out legal aid;
f) person benefiting from legal aid – a citizen of Georgia, a stateless person, a foreign national who meets the criteria established by this Law and other legislative acts;
g) insolvent person – a member of a family registered in the unified database of socially unprotected families, whose socio-economic indicator is below the threshold established by the Government of Georgia.
Article 3. Types of legal aid🔗
For the purposes of this Law, the types of legal aid are:
a) drafting of legal documents (application, claim, complaint, response, motion and other documents);
b) defence of the interests of the accused, the convicted and the acquitted in criminal proceedings;
c) protection of the victim in criminal proceedings in the cases provided for by the Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia where defence is provided at the expense of the State;
d) representation in court in connection with administrative and civil cases;
e) representation before an administrative body.
Law of Georgia of 24 September 2010 No. 3619 - LHG I, No. 51, 29.09.2010, Art. 332
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia of 26 December 2014 No. 3013 – website, 31.12.2014
Article 4. Person benefiting from legal aid🔗
A natural person shall be entitled, in the cases provided for by this Law and in accordance with the established procedure, to benefit from legal aid at the expense of the State.
Article 4¹. Minor benefiting from legal aid🔗
1. A minor shall enjoy the right to free legal consultation and legal aid, unless a lawyer retained by him/her participates in the case (defence by agreement).
2. The Legal Aid Service shall ensure equal access to legal consultation and legal aid for all minors through child-friendly justice approaches provided for by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, its additional protocols and other international treaties of Georgia, as well as the Code on the Rights of the Child.
3. At any stage of criminal proceedings, an accused/convicted person between 18 and 21 years of age shall enjoy the right to legal aid, unless a lawyer retained by him/her participates in the case (defence by agreement).
Law of Georgia of 12 June 2015 No. 3716 - website, 24.06.2015
Law of Georgia of 30 May 2018 No. 2388 – website, 12.06.2018
Law of Georgia of 20 September 2019 No. 5016 – website, 27.09.2019
Law of Georgia of 21 May 2020 No. 5916 – website, 25.05.2020
Article 4². Permanent group of lawyers specialising in juvenile justice🔗
A permanent group of lawyers specialising in juvenile justice shall operate within the Legal Aid Service, which, in the cases provided for by law, shall ensure legal aid to a minor upon first request and within the shortest time.
Law of Georgia of 12 June 2015 No. 3716 - website, 24.06.2015
Article 4³. Person with disabilities benefiting from legal aid🔗
The Legal Aid Service shall ensure:
a) the provision of legal services by public attorneys to a person with disabilities in court in civil, administrative and criminal cases, including representation in administrative proceedings and legal consultation;
b) mandatory accessibility for a person with disabilities of all territorial units of the Legal Aid Service, which implies accessibility of services and of the internal and external infrastructure of buildings and structures for a person with disabilities;
c) retraining of personnel for the purpose of developing the skills necessary for interacting with persons with disabilities.
Law of Georgia of 14 July 2020 No. 6830 – website, 28.07.2020.
Article 5. Conditions for the Provision of Legal Aid🔗
1. Legal aid shall be provided in cases directly provided for by law, as well as in accordance with the procedure established by this Law, if the accused, convicted and/or acquitted person is insolvent.
2. Representation in court in civil and administrative cases, as well as representation in an administrative body in an administrative case, shall be provided if the person is insolvent and the provision of legal aid to him/her (his/her representation in court, representation in an administrative body) is appropriate based on the importance and complexity of the case.
2¹. The Legal Aid Service shall ensure the drafting of legal documents for an insolvent person on any issue related to civil and administrative cases, regardless of the importance and complexity of the case.
2². Legal aid provided for by subparagraphs „a“ and „d“ of Article 3 of this Law shall be provided to a person whose recognition as a support recipient is also to be considered by the court in connection with cases provided for by Chapter XLIV¹¹ of the Civil Procedure Code of Georgia, as well as to a support recipient who is a party to a civil and/or administrative case, regardless of his/her solvency, if he/she has not chosen a lawyer in the general manner.
2³. Legal aid provided for by subparagraphs „a“, „d“ and „e“ of Article 3 of this Law shall be provided to a foreigner, a stateless person or an asylum seeker in the case defined by Article 33 of the Law of Georgia on International Protection. At the same time, legal aid provided for by subparagraphs „a“ and „d“ of Article 3 of this Law shall be provided to an asylum seeker or a person enjoying international protection whose dispute related to the request for international protection is also to be considered by the court in connection with a case provided for by Chapter VII³⁰ of the Administrative Procedure Code of Georgia, regardless of his/her solvency, if he/she has not chosen a lawyer in the general manner.
2⁴. Legal aid provided for by subparagraphs „a“ and „d“ of Article 3 of this Law shall be provided to a victim of violence against women/domestic violence, when the court considers the issue of issuing a protective order to ensure the protection of the victim and the restriction of certain actions of the abuser in accordance with the procedure established by Article 21¹³ of the Administrative Procedure Code of Georgia, regardless of the solvency of the victim of violence against women/domestic violence, if he/she has not chosen a lawyer in the general manner.
2⁵. The right to enjoy legal aid provided for by subparagraphs „a“ and „d“ of Article 3 of this Law in civil and administrative cases, taking into account the importance and complexity of the case, shall be held by a victim of domestic violence, regardless of his/her insolvency, if this case concerns a matter related to an immovable thing, as well as matters arising from Books Five and Six of the Civil Code of Georgia, from the Laws of Georgia "On Social Assistance", "On State Pension", "On State Compensation and State Academic Scholarship", "On Health Care", "On Patients' Rights", "On Veterans of War and Defence Forces", "On Persons Internally Displaced from the Occupied Territories of Georgia – IDPs", "On Social Protection of Families of Those Killed, Missing without Trace, or Deceased as a Result of Injuries Sustained for the Territorial Integrity, Freedom and Independence of Georgia", "On Recognition of Citizens of Georgia as Victims of Political Repression and Social Protection of Repressed Persons", "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" and "On Public Service", from the Organic Law of Georgia "Labour Code of Georgia" and from subordinate normative acts issued on the basis and for the implementation of the said laws, is related to a fact of domestic violence and in this case the lawyer retained by him/her does not participate (defence by agreement). If a civil or administrative case concerns a matter that is not provided for by this paragraph or by the list of matters additionally defined by the Legal Aid Council, legal aid (representation in court) in this case is ensured in the event when its consideration in court is possible by way of joined claim procedure. In the event of separation of the said case into separate proceedings, legal aid (representation in court) is provided only in relation to the matter that is provided for by this paragraph or by the list of matters additionally defined by the Legal Aid Council.
[ 2⁵. The right to enjoy the legal aid provided for by subparagraphs „a“ and „d“ of Article 3 of this Law in civil and administrative cases, taking into account the importance and complexity of the case, is held by a victim of domestic violence, irrespective of his/her insolvency, if this case concerns a matter related to an immovable thing, as well as matters arising from Books Five and Six of the Civil Code of Georgia, from the Laws of Georgia "On Social Assistance", "On State Pension", "On State Compensation and State Academic Scholarship", "On Health Care", "On Patients' Rights", "On Veterans of War and Defence Forces", "On Persons Forcibly Displaced from the Occupied Territories of Georgia – Internally Displaced Persons", "On Social Protection of Families of Those Who Died for the Territorial Integrity, Freedom and Independence of Georgia, Who Went Missing, and Who Died as a Result of Injuries Sustained", "On Recognition of Citizens of Georgia as Victims of Political Repression and Social Protection of Repressed Persons", "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" and "On Public Service", and from the Organic Law of Georgia "Labour Code of Georgia" and subordinate normative acts issued on the basis of and for the implementation of the said laws, is connected with a fact of domestic violence and an advocate retained by him/her does not participate in this case (defence by agreement). If a civil or administrative case concerns a matter that is not provided for by this paragraph or by the list of matters additionally determined by the Director of the Legal Aid Service, legal aid (representation in court) in this case is ensured when its consideration in court is possible by way of a joined claim procedure. In the event of separation of the said case into separate proceedings, legal aid (representation in court) shall be provided only in relation to the matter provided for by this paragraph or by the list of matters additionally determined by the Director of the Legal Aid Service. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
2⁶. At any stage of criminal proceedings, a person injured as a result of a family crime provided for by Article 11¹ of the Criminal Code of Georgia and/or domestic violence provided for by Article 126¹, who is considered an insolvent person under this Law, shall enjoy the right to free legal aid, if an advocate retained by him/her does not participate in the case (defence by agreement), while the said person who is not considered an insolvent person under this Law shall be provided with free legal aid when an advocate retained by him/her does not participate in the case (defence by agreement) and the existence of one of the following circumstances is confirmed in accordance with the procedure established by this Law:
a) Before applying to the Legal Aid Service, within 12 months the taxable income of the person, as a natural person, did not exceed GEL 6000, at the same time, the amount of money in the account opened in his/her name in a commercial bank registered in Georgia, as of the moment of issuance of the relevant certificate, did not exceed GEL 500, while the turnover of the money in the said account over the last 90 days does not exceed GEL 1500. In the case of the existence of more than one account in different or one commercial bank, when determining the amount of money defined by this subparagraph, the total amount of money in the said accounts shall be taken into account;
b) the person is in a grave financial situation, which is established on the basis of the criteria for the provision of legal aid predetermined by the Legal Aid Council.
[ b) the person is in a grave financial situation, which is established on the basis of the criteria for the provision of legal aid predetermined by the Director of the Legal Aid Service. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
3. The Director of the Legal Aid Service may, on the basis of the criteria predetermined by the Legal Aid Council, take a decision on the provision of legal aid to a person who is not a member of a family registered in the unified database of socially vulnerable families.
[ 3. The Director of the Legal Aid Service may, on the basis of the criteria for the provision of legal aid predetermined by him/her, take a decision on the provision of legal aid to a person who is not a member of a family registered in the unified database of socially vulnerable families. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 - LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 24 September 2010 No. 3619 - LHG I, No. 51, 29.09.2010, Art. 332
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia of 26 December 2014 No. 3013 – website, 31.12.2014
Law of Georgia of 20 March 2015 No. 3368 – website, 31.03.2015
Law of Georgia of 17 July 2015 No. 4064 - website, 29.07.2015
Law of Georgia of 27 May 2016 No. 5103 - website, 01.06.2016
Law of Georgia of 1 December 2016 No. 48 - website, 15.12.2016
Law of Georgia of 22 February 2018 No. 1971 – website, 26.02.2018
Law of Georgia of 21 June 2022 No. 1660 – website, 01.07.2022
Law of Georgia of 22 December 2022 No. 2479 – website, 29.12.2022
Law of Georgia of 26 June 2025 No. 869 – website, 07.07.2025
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026
Article 6. Determination of a person's insolvency🔗
1. The categories of persons who are considered insolvent for the purposes of this Law, and the procedure for confirming insolvency, shall be determined by the Government of Georgia.
2. Where necessary, for the purpose of determining a person's insolvency, the Legal Aid Bureau or the provider shall be entitled to apply to the relevant administrative body, which shall be obliged to issue the relevant information immediately.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 - LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
Article 6¹. Determination of the current procedural status and financial situation of a person affected by domestic crime and/or domestic violence🔗
1. At any stage of the criminal case proceedings, a person affected by domestic crime provided for by Article 11¹ of the Criminal Code of Georgia and/or domestic violence provided for by Article 126¹, who is not considered an insolvent person under this Law, shall apply to the Legal Aid Service and submit the relevant written documentation to it in order to confirm the circumstance provided for by paragraph 2⁶ of Article 5 of this Law.
2. The Legal Aid Service shall be entitled, on the basis of the application of the person provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, in the presence of his/her written consent, to request from the body conducting the criminal proceedings the relevant information for the purpose of determining the current procedural status of the person provided for by paragraph 2⁶ of Article 5 of this Law and the qualification indicated in the resolution on recognition as a victim. This body shall be obliged to provide the said information to it immediately.
3. The Legal Aid Service shall be obliged, on the basis of the application of the person provided for by paragraph 1 of this Article, in the presence of his/her written consent, to itself seek the information necessary for determining the circumstance provided for by paragraph 2⁶ of Article 5 of this Law. All administrative bodies and banking institutions shall be obliged, where the Legal Aid Service submits a request indicating the transfer by the applicant to it of the authority to obtain information, to provide the Legal Aid Service immediately and free of charge with information on the property status, income, bank accounts, balances on these accounts and turnover of funds of the relevant person. The written consent of the said person must directly indicate the one-time transfer to the Legal Aid Service of the authority to request the relevant information on his/her financial situation from the bodies and institutions provided for by this paragraph.
Law of Georgia of 21 June 2022 No. 1660 – website, 01.07.2022
Article 7. Reimbursement of legal aid expenses🔗
1. If, when considering a civil or administrative case, the court delivered a judgment in favour of a person benefiting from legal aid, the reimbursement of legal aid expenses shall be borne by the opposing party in favour of the Legal Aid Service, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.
2. If a person benefiting from legal aid received legal aid by submitting false, untrue information about insolvency, he/she shall be obliged to reimburse the legal aid expenses incurred for him/her.
Article 8. Legal Aid Service🔗
1. The Legal Aid Service (hereinafter – the Service) is a Legal Entity of Public Law, which is independent in its activities and ensures access to legal consultation and legal aid on the basis of the Constitution of Georgia, this Law, other legislative and subordinate normative acts and the statute of the Service.
2. The operation of paragraph 4 of Article 10, and of Articles 11, 12 and 14 of the Law of Georgia on Legal Entities of Public Law shall not extend to the activities of the Service.
3. The Service is not subordinate to any State body and shall be accountable only to the Parliament of Georgia in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia.
4. The Director of the Service (hereinafter – the Director) shall, annually, not later than 1 March, submit to the Parliament of Georgia a report on the activities of the Service in the previous year, which shall be considered in the manner established by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Georgia.
5. (deleted – 06.12.2018, No. 3886).
6. The Service consists of the Service's apparatus (hereinafter – the apparatus), legal aid bureaus and consultation centres established on the basis of this Law.
7. The statute of the Service shall be approved, upon the submission of the Director, by the Legal Aid Council.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 – LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 – website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia of 6 December 2018 No. 3886 – website, 14.12.2018
[Article 8. Legal Aid Service
1. The Legal Aid Service (hereinafter – the Service) is a Legal Entity of Public Law, which is independent in its activities and ensures access to legal consultation and legal aid on the basis of the Constitution of Georgia, this Law, other legislative and subordinate normative acts and the statute of the Service.
2. The operation of Articles 11, 12 and 14 of the Law of Georgia on Legal Entities of Public Law shall not extend to the activities of the Service.
3. The Service is not subordinate to any State body and shall be accountable only to the Prime Minister of Georgia in the manner established by the legislation of Georgia.
4. The Director of the Service (hereinafter – the Director) shall, annually, not later than 1 March, submit to the Prime Minister of Georgia a report on the activities of the Service in the previous year.
5. The Service consists of the Service's apparatus (hereinafter – the apparatus), legal aid bureaus and consultation centres established on the basis of this Law.
6. The statute and the strategy of the Service, as well as the Service's staff list and the maximum amount of funds allocated for the remuneration of employees shall be approved, upon the submission of the Director, by the Government of Georgia. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026
Article 8¹. Guarantees of the independence of the Service's activity🔗
The Service shall independently perform the tasks assigned to it. Interference with its activity shall be inadmissible.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 – LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Article 8². Activity requiring prior consent🔗
1. The Service may, with the consent of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia:
a) take a loan;
b) provide surety;
c) determine the Service's staffing schedule and payroll fund;
d) determine the limits of the funds to be allocated for material incentives for employees, as well as of the fuel and communication expenses to be purchased and borne by the Service.
[ d) (deleted – 04.03.2026, No. 1374). (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
2. The Service may, with the consent of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia:
a) acquire, alienate and encumber immovable property;
b) adopt other decisions relating to the Service's property, if they go beyond the scope of ordinary activity.
3. Refusal to perform the actions defined by paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article shall be substantiated. The refusal may be appealed in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.
4. The Service shall be obliged to keep accounting and reporting of financial-economic activity in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, to draw up a balance sheet and to submit it to the Ministry of Finance of Georgia for approval. The annual balance sheet of the Service shall be audited by the Ministry of Finance of Georgia or an independent auditor appointed by it.
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 – website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026
Article 9. (deleted)🔗
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 – LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 – website, 28.12.2013
Article 10. Legal Aid Council🔗
1. For the purpose of managing the Service, effectively performing its functions and ensuring the independence and transparency of the Service, a collegial body is established − the Legal Aid Council (hereinafter − the Council).
2. The Council consists of 9 members, of whom 3 members are elected by the Executive Council of the Georgian Bar Association, 3 members − by the Public Defender of Georgia, 1 member is selected by the legal aid bureaus from among the lawyers of the legal aid bureaus, 1 member is nominated by the Minister of Justice of Georgia from among the employees of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, and 1 member from among the non-judge members of the High Council of Justice − by the High Council of Justice of Georgia.
2¹. The Georgian Bar Association, in accordance with the Law of Georgia "On the Bar", shall elect as a member of the Council, by way of open competition, a lawyer of high reputation who has at least 5 years of experience in advocacy practice.
3. The Public Defender of Georgia shall nominate 1 member of the Council from the staff of his/her office.
4. The Public Defender of Georgia shall select 2 members of the Council by way of open competition, from among representatives of the scientific field working in higher educational institutions of Georgia, on the basis of recommendations of the governing bodies of the same organizations.
5. The Public Defender of Georgia shall select as a member of the Council, by way of open competition, a person enjoying public recognition and high reputation, who has higher education and at least 5 years of experience in working in the field of human rights protection and/or pedagogical/scientific activity. A member of the Council selected by way of open competition may not carry out advocacy practice.
6. A member of the Council is independent in his/her activity. Recall of a member of the Council nominated by the Public Defender of Georgia and selected by way of open competition shall be inadmissible.
7. The activity of a member of the Council shall not be remunerated.
8. The term of authority of a member of the Council is 3 years, except for a member of the Council who is at the same time a lawyer of a legal aid bureau. The member of the Council who is at the same time a lawyer of a legal aid bureau shall be selected for a term of 1 year, in accordance with the procedure established by paragraphs 8−10 of Article 16 of this Law. The composition of persons elected as members of the Council by the Georgian Bar Association and the composition of persons nominated as members of the Council by the Public Defender of Georgia shall be renewed by 1/3 annually, independently of each other.
9. The same person may be elected as a member of the Council only 2 times in succession.
10. The Director participates in a Council session with the right of an advisory vote.
11. A Council session is public, except where, based on the content of the matter under consideration, the Council deems it expedient to close the session. The procedure for attending a Council session shall be determined by the Council's statute.
12. The procedure of the Council's activity shall be determined by the Council's statute, which is approved by the Council upon the submission of the Chairperson of the Council.
13. The Council shall convene at least once every 2 months.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 - LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 25 February 2011 No. 4254 - website, 1 March 2011
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28 December 2013
Law of Georgia of 22 February 2018 No. 1971 – website, 26 February 2018
Law of Georgia of 2 April 2025 No. 415 – website, 3 April 2025
[Article 10. (repealed) (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 5 March 2026
Article 11. Functions of the Council and Decision-Making Procedure🔗
1. The Council:
a) elects the Director through a competition procedure and, in the cases determined by paragraph 7 of Article 13 of this Law, adopts a decision on the early termination of the Director's powers;
b) approves the Service's strategy and monitors its implementation;
c) on the proposal of the Director, approves the Statute of the Service, and on the proposal of the Chairperson of the Council, the Statute of the Council;
d) on the proposal of the Director, approves the procedure and criteria for assessing the quality of legal consultation and legal aid provided by the Service;
e) approves the criteria for determining severe financial condition and for providing legal aid, as provided for by subparagraph b of paragraph 2⁶ and paragraph 3 of Article 5 of this Law, on the basis of which the Director may adopt a decision on providing legal aid to a person;
f) on the proposal of the Director, adopts decisions on the establishment and abolition of the Legal Aid Bureau/Consultative Center, determines the areas of operation of the Legal Aid Bureau and the provider;
g) on the proposal of the Director, approves the staffing schedule of the Service and the maximum amount of funds allocated for the remuneration of employees;
h) on the proposal of the Director, approves the procedure for involving an attorney registered in the Registry in a case, the amount of his/her remuneration and the procedure for its payment;
i) on the proposal of the Director, approves the reporting procedure and form for the Consultative Center, the Legal Aid Bureau, the provider and the attorney registered in the Registry;
j) at the end of each budget year, hears the Director's financial report on the activities of the Service;
k) hears the Director's current and annual reports on the activities of the Service;
l) addresses the Director with a recommendation on the improvement of the Service's activities and, within the scope determined by the Council's Statute, monitors its implementation;
m) if necessary, hears a report on the activities of the Legal Aid Bureau/Consultative Center, as well as their proposals on the optimization of the Service's activities;
n) is entitled to hear a claim of a person employed in the Service related to the exercise by the Director of his/her powers;
o) is entitled to conduct research, the purpose of which is to study the accessibility and quality of legal aid and legal consultation;
p) promotes the activities of the Service;
q) exercises other powers provided for by this Law and the Council's Statute.
2. The Council is authorized if at least two-thirds of its members attend its session. The Council adopts a decision by a majority of the votes of the members present at the session. In the event of an equal division of votes, the vote of the Chairperson of the Council is decisive. In cases provided for by subparagraphs a, b, e and h of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Council adopts a decision by at least two-thirds of its full composition.
3. A member of the Council who is at the same time an attorney of the Legal Aid Bureau shall not participate in voting if the Council is considering the issues of the election of the Director and the early termination of the Director's powers.
4. The Council shall be served by the Secretariat, the staffing list of which shall be approved by the Council upon the submission of the Chairperson of the Council. The employees of the Secretariat shall be appointed to and dismissed from office by the Director with the consent of the Chairperson of the Council. The employees of the Secretariat are employees of the Service.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 - LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia of 21 June 2022 No. 1660 – website, 01.07.2022
[Article 11. (repealed) (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026
Article 12. Chairperson of the Council🔗
1. The Chairperson of the Council (hereinafter – the Chairperson) shall be elected from among the members of the Council, by a majority of the votes of the full composition of the Council, for a term of 1 year. The same person may be elected Chairperson only twice in a row.
2. Decisions on the election of the Chairperson, the extension of his/her powers and the early termination of his/her powers shall be adopted in the form of a Resolution, which shall be signed by all members participating in the voting.
3. The Chairperson shall convene and chair the sessions of the Council, sign the recommendations adopted by the Council and other documents drawn up in the name of the Council, and submit to the Council for approval the draft regulations of the Council.
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
[Article 12. (repealed) (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026
Article 12¹. Grounds for early termination of the powers of a member of the Council🔗
1. The powers of a member of the Council shall be terminated early:
a) on the basis of his/her own application;
b) if a court judgment of conviction against him/her has entered into legal force;
c) if he/she has been declared missing by a court or declared deceased;
c¹) if he/she has been declared by a court to have limited legal capacity or recognised as a recipient of support, unless otherwise determined by a court judgment;
d) in the case of absence from Council sittings three consecutive times without a valid reason;
e) in the case of death;
f) if he/she has been appointed as a judge or prosecutor;
g) if he/she is a member of the Council appointed to a position and his/her official powers have been terminated;
h) in other cases provided by law.
2. Where a ground defined by subparagraph "c¹", "d" or "g" of paragraph 1 of this Article exists, the powers of a member of the Council shall be terminated early by a decision of the Council, while the Council shall take cognizance of information about a circumstance provided for by subparagraph "a", "b", "c", "e" or "f" of the same paragraph, as a result of which the powers of the member of the Council shall be terminated early.
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 – website, 28.12.2013.
Law of Georgia of 20 March 2015 No. 3368 – website, 31.03.2015.
[Article 12¹. (deleted) (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026.
Article 13. Director🔗
1. The Service shall be headed by a Director, who shall be selected by the Council through an open competition for a term of 5 years. The same person may be elected as Director only twice consecutively.
2. The Director shall exercise the powers defined by Article 14 of this Law, shall implement the decisions of the Council and shall represent the Service in relations with third parties.
3. A citizen of Georgia who is at least 30 years of age and has a higher legal education, and who has at least 5 years' experience of working as a lawyer and at least 3 years' experience of working as a manager, may be selected as Director.
4. The Director may not simultaneously be a member of the Council. During the term of office, the Director shall not have the right to carry out advocacy or other remunerated activity, except for scientific, pedagogical and creative activities.
5. The requirements established by the Law of Georgia on Combating Corruption shall apply to the Director.
6. If, in the cases provided for by this Law and the regulations of the Service, the Director has a personal interest in a decision to be taken individually, he/she shall be obliged to notify the Council in writing of the conflict of interest, and the Council shall take the relevant decision.
7. The Director's powers shall be terminated early:
a) on the basis of his/her own application;
b) if a court judgment of conviction against him/her has entered into legal force;
c) if he/she has been recognised by a court as missing or declared deceased;
c¹) if he/she has been recognised by a court as having limited legal capacity or has been recognised as a recipient of support, unless otherwise determined by a court decision;
d) if he/she has violated the requirements established by the Law of Georgia on Combating Corruption;
e) if he/she grossly or systematically violates the law or the regulations of the Service, fails to perform or improperly performs the functions assigned to him/her;
f) in the event of death.
8. Where there exists a ground defined by subparagraphs „c 1“, „d“ or „e“ of paragraph 7 of this Article, the Director's powers shall be terminated early by a decision of the Council, while information on a circumstance provided for by subparagraphs „a“, „b“, „c“ or „f“ of the same paragraph shall be taken into cognisance by the Council, as a result of which the Director's powers shall be terminated early.
Law of Georgia No. 1779 of 13 December 2013 – website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia No. 3368 of 20 March 2015 – website, 31.03.2015
Law of Georgia No. 4359 of 27 October 2015 – website, 11.11.2015
Law of Georgia No. 136 of 21 December 2016 – website, 28.12.2016
Law of Georgia No. 2217 of 30 November 2022 – website, 15.12.2022
[Article 13. Director
1. The Service shall be headed by a Director, who shall be appointed to and dismissed from office by the Prime Minister of Georgia in accordance with the Law of Georgia on Legal Entities of Public Law.
2. The Director shall exercise the powers defined by Article 14 of this Law and shall represent the Service in relations with third parties.
3. A citizen of Georgia who is at least 30 years old, has higher legal education, and has at least 5 years of experience working as a lawyer and at least 3 years of experience working as a manager may be appointed as director.
4. The director shall not be entitled to engage in advocacy or other remunerated activity, except for scientific, pedagogical and creative activities.
5. The requirements established by the Law of Georgia "On Combating Corruption" shall apply to the director.
6. The director's powers shall be terminated in accordance with Article 10¹ of the Law of Georgia "On Legal Entities of Public Law". In addition to the grounds provided for by Article 10¹ of the Law of Georgia "On Legal Entities of Public Law", the violation by the director of the requirements established by the Law of Georgia "On Combating Corruption" shall be a ground for dismissal from office (termination of powers). (Shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026.
Article 14. Functions of the Director🔗
1. The functions of the Director are:
a) management of the Service, supervision of the activities of the Consultative Centre, the Legal Aid Bureau and the provider;
b) elaboration of a proposal on the Statute of the Service and amendments thereto and submission to the Council for approval;
c) annually, no later than 1 March, in agreement with the Council, submission to the Parliament of Georgia of a report on the activities of the Service for the previous year;
d) determination, within the limit amount approved by the Council, of the amounts of remuneration of employees;
e) approval, in agreement with the Council, of the sample of the symbol of state importance of the Service and the rules for its use, in accordance with the Law of Georgia "On Symbols of State Importance";
f) submission, in agreement with the Council, to the Ministry of Finance of Georgia of the draft budget of the Service and the report on the execution of the budget of the Service;
g) submission to the Council of draft decisions on the establishment and abolition of the Legal Aid Bureau/Consultative Centre, as well as on the determination of the areas of operation of the Legal Aid Bureau and the provider;
h) elaboration and submission to the Council for approval of the rules and form of reporting of the Consultative Centre, the Legal Aid Bureau, the provider and an attorney registered in the Register;
i) elaboration and submission to the Council for approval of the procedure for involving an attorney registered in the Register in a case, the amount of remuneration and the procedure for its payment;
j) ensuring the provision of qualified legal assistance by an attorney registered in the Register and quality control of the services rendered in accordance with the procedure established by the Statute of the Service;
k) approval of the internal regulations of the Service;
l) coordination of the production of statistics by the Service and analysis thereof;
m) appointment and dismissal of employees of the Apparatus, the Legal Aid Bureau and the Consultative Centre, and application of disciplinary measures and incentives to them in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;
n) elaboration of the rules and criteria for assessing the quality of legal consultation and legal assistance provided by the Service, submission to the Council for approval and supervision of their implementation;
o) consideration, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, of complaints related to the activities of the Consultative Centre, the Legal Aid Bureau and the provider, as well as of the substantiation of refusal of legal aid;
p) ensuring the conduct of training courses and seminars for the purpose of retraining and professional development of employees of the Service and public attorneys;
q) submission to the Council of current and annual reports on the activities of the Service;
r) submission to the Council, at the end of each budget year, of a financial report on the activities of the Service;
s) organization of financial accounting and reporting of the Service in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;
t) ensuring the publicity and accessibility of the annual report on the Service's activities;
u) ensuring the promotion of the Service's activities;
v) issuance of administrative-legal acts within its competence;
w) exercise of other powers provided for by this Law and the Regulation of the Service.
2. The Director is authorized to terminate employment contracts with the head of the Legal Aid Bureau, a lawyer and a consultant only with the consent of the Council, except in the case of dismissal upon personal application, in accordance with the procedure established by the Organic Law of Georgia "Labour Code of Georgia".
3. The Director's decision may be appealed only in court.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 - LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia of 22 February 2019 No. 4317 – website, 07.03.2019
[Article 14. Functions of the Director
1. The functions of the Director are:
a) management of the Service, supervision of the activities of the Legal Aid Bureau, the Consultation Centre and the provider;
b) development of the Regulation of the Service and the Service's strategy and submission to the Government of Georgia for approval;
c) conducting monitoring of the implementation of the Service's strategy;
d) annually, not later than 1 March, submission to the Prime Minister of Georgia of a report on the Service's activities in the previous year;
e) submission to the Government of Georgia for approval of the Service's staff list and the maximum amount of funds allocated for remuneration of employees;
f) determination, within the maximum amount of funds allocated for remuneration of employees approved by the Government of Georgia, of the amounts of remuneration of employees;
g) approval of the model of the Service's symbol of state importance and the rules for its use in accordance with the Law of Georgia "on Symbols of State Importance";
h) submission to the Ministry of Finance of Georgia of the draft budget of the Service and the report on the execution of the Service's budget;
i) establishment and abolition of the Legal Aid Bureau and the Consultation Centre, as well as determination of the areas of operation of the Legal Aid Bureau and the provider;
j) approval of the rules and form of reporting of the Legal Aid Bureau, the Consultation Centre, the provider and a lawyer registered in the Register;
k) approval of the procedure for involving a lawyer registered in the Register in a case, the amount of remuneration and the procedure for its payment;
l) ensuring the provision of qualified legal assistance by a lawyer registered in the Register and control over the quality of services rendered in accordance with the procedure established by the Regulation of the Service;
m) approval of the internal regulations of the Service;
n) coordination of the maintenance of statistics by the Service and its analysis;
o) appointment to and dismissal from positions of the staff of the apparatus, the legal aid bureau and the consultation centre, as well as the application of disciplinary measures and incentives to them, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;
p) approval of the rules and criteria for assessing the quality of legal consultation and legal aid provided by the Service and supervision of their implementation;
q) consideration, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia, of complaints related to the activities of the legal aid bureau, the consultation centre and the provider, as well as of the substantiation of refusal of legal aid;
r) approval of the criteria for the provision of legal aid provided for by subparagraph „b“ of paragraph 2⁶ and paragraph 3 of Article 5 of this Law, on the basis of which it may take a decision on the provision of legal aid to a person;
s) ensuring the holding of training courses and seminars for the retraining of the Service's employees and public attorneys and for raising their qualifications;
t) organisation of the financial accounting and reporting of the Service in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia;
u) ensuring the publicity and accessibility of the annual report on the activities of the Service;
v) ensuring the popularisation of the Service's activities;
w) conducting research to study the accessibility and quality of legal aid and legal consultation;
x) issuing administrative-legal acts within the scope of its competence;
y) exercise of other powers determined by this Law and the regulations of the Service.
2. The Director is entitled to terminate the employment contracts of the head of the legal aid bureau, an attorney and a consultant in accordance with the procedure established by the Organic Law of Georgia "Labour Code of Georgia".
3. The Director's decision may be appealed only to a court. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia No. 1374 of 4 March 2026 – website, 05.03.2026.
Article 15. Apparatus🔗
For the purpose of effective management of the Service, an apparatus shall be created, the procedure for the formation, structure and powers of which shall be determined by the regulations of the Service.
Article 16. Legal Aid Bureau🔗
1. The Legal Aid Bureau is a structural unit of the Service which, in accordance with the procedure established by this Law and within the scope of its area of operation, provides legal aid.
2. The Legal Aid Bureau shall be responsible, within the scope of its area of operation, for ensuring qualified legal aid and for the maximum protection of the interests of persons benefiting from legal aid, so that they may fully enjoy the rights conferred on them by the legislation of Georgia.
3. The Legal Aid Bureau shall be composed of the head of the Legal Aid Bureau, lawyers, consultants and administrative personnel.
4. In carrying out his/her activities, a lawyer of the Legal Aid Bureau shall be guided by the Constitution of Georgia, this Law, the Law of Georgia on Lawyers, the Regulations of the Service and other normative acts.
5. Unlawful influence on the activities of the Legal Aid Bureau shall be inadmissible.
6. Lawyers of the Legal Aid Bureau shall act in accordance with the Code of Professional Ethics of Lawyers approved by the General Meeting of the Georgian Bar Association.
7. The powers of the head of the Legal Aid Bureau, lawyers, consultants and administrative personnel shall be determined by the Regulations of the Service.
8. Legal Aid Bureaus shall annually select 1 member of the Council from among the lawyers of the Legal Aid Bureaus.
[ 8. (Deleted – 04.03.2026, No. 1374). (Shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
9. Not earlier than 3 months and not later than 2 months before the expiry of the term of office of a member submitted to the Council by a Legal Aid Bureau, each Legal Aid Bureau shall be entitled to submit 1 candidate for election as a member of the Council. The Legal Aid Bureau shall select a candidate for membership of the Council from among the lawyers comprising its staff by secret ballot, by a majority of the full composition of the lawyers of that Bureau. If, as a result of the ballot, two or more lawyers receive an equal number of votes, those candidates shall be voted on again. The candidate who receives more votes than the other candidates shall be considered submitted.
[ 9. (Deleted – 04.03.2026, No. 1374). (Shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
10. Each candidate selected from the Legal Aid Bureaus shall, within 3 weeks after the ballot, present an action programme relating to the activities to be carried out by him/her in the Council over the coming 1 year. The candidates shall vote on the action programmes presented. A candidate whose action programme is being voted on shall not participate in the ballot. The candidate whose action programme receives the most votes shall be considered elected as a member of the Council. If, as a result of the ballot, the action programmes of two or more candidates receive an equal number of votes, those programmes shall be voted on again. The candidate whose action programme receives more votes than the action programmes of the other candidates shall be considered elected as a member of the Council.
[ 10. (deleted – 04.03.2026, No. 1374). (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 – website, 28.12.2013.
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026.
Article 17. Consultative Centre🔗
1. Legal consultation shall be provided in consultative centres established within the framework of the unified legal aid system. The duration of legal consultation shall be not more than one hour.
2. A natural person shall have the right to receive legal consultation at any consultative centre, regardless of place of residence and property status.
3. In those regions of Georgia where a legal aid bureau does not operate, the consultative centre shall ensure the involvement of a public attorney from the register in the case.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 – LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Article 18. Provider🔗
A provider is a legal entity of private law or an attorney selected on the basis of a tender who provides legal aid under this Law and within the scope of the territorial area of activity defined by the contract.
[Article 18. Provider
A provider is a legal entity of private law or an attorney who provides legal aid under this Law and within the scope of the territorial area of activity defined by the contract. (shall enter into force from 1 January 2027)]
Law of Georgia of 9 February 2023 No. 2571 – website, 27.02.2023.
Law of Georgia of 5 September 2024 No. 4416 – website, 23.09.2024.
Article 19. Register🔗
1. An attorney registered in the register shall, in the cases provided for by this Law, provide legal aid at the expense of the State, on the basis of a referral by a legal aid bureau, a provider or a consultative centre.
2. The register shall be maintained by the Service. Registration of an attorney in the register shall be carried out on the basis of the attorney's application, through an open competition.
3. The forms of the register and of the application shall be established by the Director and approved by the Council.
[ 3. The forms of the register and of the application shall be approved by the Director. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 – LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 – website, 28.12.2013.
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026.
Article 20. Reporting form🔗
A public attorney, including an attorney registered in the register, shall be obliged to submit a report on the legal aid provided, in the established form and within the established time limit, to the relevant legal aid bureau, provider or consultative centre.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 – LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Article 21. Involvement of a public advocate in a case and remuneration for his/her work🔗
1. In criminal proceedings, the involvement of a public advocate in a case shall be ensured by the Legal Aid Bureau, a provider or a consultation centre:
a) on the basis of an application by the accused, the convicted person and/or the acquitted person or his/her representative and/or a close relative;
b) on the basis of an application by the body conducting the proceedings, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.
2. The accused, the convicted person and/or the acquitted person shall be given the opportunity to contact a public advocate and to invite him/her. The body conducting the proceedings shall be obliged to ensure, without any obstruction, the involvement of the public advocate in the case and the exercise by him/her of the powers determined by the legislation of Georgia.
2¹. The involvement of a public advocate in civil and administrative cases shall be ensured by the Legal Aid Bureau, a provider or a consultation centre:
a) on the basis of an application by the person directly requesting legal aid or by his/her legal representative;
b) on the basis of a reasoned ruling of the court.
3. The Legal Aid Bureau, a provider or a consultation centre shall immediately consider the person's application relating to civil and administrative cases, shall determine whether he/she meets the criteria established by this Law and other legal acts, and shall, within 2 working days, adopt a decision on the appointment of a public advocate or on refusal to appoint him/her. The Legal Aid Service shall be obliged to comply with the ruling issued by the court on the appointment of an advocate at the expense of the State.
4. Refusal to provide legal aid shall be reasoned. A decision on refusal to provide legal aid may be appealed to the Director of the Service, and a refusal to satisfy the complaint – to the court, in accordance with the procedure established by the legislation of Georgia.
5. The procedure for the involvement of a public advocate in a case shall be determined by the statute of the Service.
6. A public advocate involved in a case shall be obliged to immediately commence the exercise of the rights and duties determined by this Law, the statute of the Service and procedural legislation.
7. A public advocate employed by the Legal Aid Service shall receive a salary for the provision of legal aid in criminal, civil and administrative cases, while legal aid provided by an invited public advocate shall be remunerated in accordance with the amount and procedure for remuneration approved by the Council.
[7. A public advocate employed by the Service shall receive a salary for the provision of legal aid in criminal, civil and administrative cases, while legal aid provided by an invited public advocate shall be remunerated in accordance with the amount and procedure for remuneration approved by the Director. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 – LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Law of Georgia of 24 September 2010 No. 3619 - LHG I, No. 51, 29.09.2010, Art. 332
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia of 26 December 2014 No. 3013 – website, 31.12.2014
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026
Article 21¹. Guarantees of the independence of the public attorney🔗
The public attorney carries out his/her activities independently. Interference in the professional activity of the public attorney, as well as the application of a sanction to him/her or the threat of application of a sanction, on account of activity that does not contradict the legislation of Georgia and the Code of Ethics of Lawyers, shall be inadmissible.
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
Article 22. Sources of financing of the Service🔗
1. The sources of financing of the Service are:
a) targeted funds allocated from the State Budget of Georgia;
b) donations and grants;
c) other income permitted by the legislation of Georgia.
2. State financing of the Service shall be determined by the annual law on the State Budget.
3. The draft budget of the Service shall be submitted to the Ministry of Finance of Georgia in agreement with the Council and on the basis of consultation with the Parliament of Georgia, in accordance with the procedure established by the Budgetary Code of Georgia.
[3. The draft budget of the Service shall be submitted to the Ministry of Finance of Georgia in accordance with the procedure established by the Budgetary Code of Georgia. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 13 December 2013 No. 1779 - website, 28.12.2013
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026
Article 22¹. Reduction of the Service's budget🔗
Reduction of the Service's budget within the volume provided for by the article of the economic classification of expenditures of the State Budget, as compared with the corresponding indicator of the previous year, shall be possible only with the consent of the Council.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 - LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
[Article 22
1. Reduction of the Service's budget
Reduction of the Service's budget within the volume provided for by the article of the economic classification of expenditures of the State Budget of Georgia, as compared with the corresponding indicator of the previous year, shall be possible only with the consent of the Service. (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026
Article 23. Measures to be implemented in connection with the entry into force of the Law🔗
1. (Removed).
2. (Removed).
3. (Removed).
4. Until 1 January 2009, legal aid in criminal proceedings shall be ensured in accordance with the procedure established by this Law, regardless of the financial situation of the suspect, the accused, the person on trial and the convicted person.
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 - LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Article 23¹. Temporary rules for the provision of legal aid🔗
1. Legal aid (representation in court) for an insolvent person in the part of civil and administrative proceedings, taking into account the importance and complexity of the case, is provided from 1 March 2018 until 1 January 2021 if this case concerns matters related to an immovable thing, as well as matters arising from the Fifth and Sixth Books of the Civil Code of Georgia, the Law of Georgia “On Social Assistance”, the Law of Georgia “On State Pension”, the Law of Georgia “On State Compensation and State Academic Scholarship”, the Law of Georgia “On Health Care”, the Law of Georgia “On Patients' Rights”, the Law of Georgia “On Veterans of War and Defence Forces”, the Law of Georgia “On Internally Displaced Persons – Refugees from the Occupied Territories of Georgia”, the Law of Georgia “On Social Protection of the Families of Those Who Died for the Territorial Integrity, Freedom and Independence of Georgia, Who Went Missing, or Who Died as a Result of Injuries Sustained”, the Law of Georgia “On Recognition of Citizens of Georgia as Victims of Political Repression and Social Protection of Repressed Persons”, the Law of Georgia “On Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities”, the Law of Georgia “On Public Service”, the Organic Law of Georgia “Labour Code of Georgia”, as well as from subordinate normative acts issued on the basis of and for the implementation of the said laws.
2. The Council is entitled, from 1 March 2018 until 1 January 2021, to additionally determine those matters which are not set out in paragraph 1 of this Article and in relation to which legal aid (representation in court) shall be provided by the Service, taking into account the insolvency of the person and the importance and complexity of the case.
3. If a civil or administrative case concerns a matter which is not set out in paragraph 1 of this Article or in the list of matters additionally determined by the Council, legal aid (representation in court) in relation to this case is provided from 1 March 2018 until 1 January 2021 if its examination in court is possible by way of joined claim proceedings. In the event of separation of the case into separate proceedings, legal aid (representation in court) is provided only in relation to the matter which is set out in paragraph 1 of this Article or in the list of matters additionally determined by the Council.
4. The operation of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article in administrative cases (except for cases which are related to matters concerning an immovable thing or which arise from the Law of Georgia “On Public Service” and/or the Organic Law of Georgia “Labour Code of Georgia”) shall extend to representation before an administrative body from 15 June 2016.
5. The operation of this Article shall extend, from 1 March 2018, to matters relating to an immovable thing provided for by the Law of Georgia on Public Service and the Organic Law of Georgia "Labour Code of Georgia".
Law of Georgia of 26 December 2014 No. 3013 – website, 31.12.2014.
Law of Georgia of 27 May 2016 No. 5103 - website, 01.06.2016.
Law of Georgia of 22 February 2018 No. 1971 – website, 26.02.2018.
Law of Georgia of 31 October 2018 No. 3606 – website, 21.11.2018.
Article 23². Temporary rule for determining the composition of the Council🔗
1. In 2018, on a one-time basis, the term of office of a member of the Council shall be determined as 4 years, except for a member selected by the legal aid bureaus.
2. After the expiry of the first year of the term of office of the members of the Council selected by the Georgian Bar Association and the Public Defender of Georgia, the Georgian Bar Association and the Public Defender of Georgia shall, by lot, select from the 3 members selected by each of them those members of the Council whose remaining term of office shall also be determined as 1, 2 and 3 years.
3. After the expiry of the term of office of the members of the Council determined by paragraph 2 of this Article, a new member shall be elected for the term and in the manner established by Article 10 of this Law.
4. The counting of the term of office of a member of the Council shall begin upon the determination of not less than 2/3 of the composition of the Council.
Law of Georgia of 22 February 2018 No. 1971 – website, 26.02.2018.
[Article 23². (Deleted) (shall enter into force from 1 May 2026)]
Law of Georgia of 4 March 2026 No. 1374 – website, 05.03.2026.
Article 24. (Deleted)🔗
Law of Georgia of 30 December 2008 No. 968 - LHG I, No. 41, 30.12.2008, Art. 340
Article 25. Invalid normative act🔗
Upon the entry into force of this Law, Order No. 308 of 17 February 2005 of the Minister of Justice of Georgia on the Creation of the Legal Entity of Public Law – the Public (Treasury) Attorney's Service shall be considered invalid.
Article 26. Entry into force of the Law🔗
1. This Law, except for the case provided for by paragraph 2 of this Article, shall enter into force upon publication.
2. This Law, in the part concerning representation in court in civil and administrative cases, except for the cases provided for by the Administrative Procedure Code of Georgia of provision of defence at the state's expense and of provision of defence to a victim of domestic violence, shall enter into force on 15 April 2015, and in the part concerning the drafting of legal documents on any matter related to civil and administrative cases – upon publication.
2¹. This Law, in the part concerning representation before an administrative body and in court of a victim of violence against women (except for a victim of domestic violence), shall enter into force on 1 June 2017.
3. This Law, in the cases provided for by the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia of provision of defence at the state's expense, shall enter into force on 1 March 2011.
4. This Law, in the part concerning representation before an administrative body, except for the case of consideration of a case of a disciplinary violation committed by an accused/convicted person as provided for by the Code of Imprisonment and the case of provision of defence to a victim of domestic violence, shall enter into force on 1 January 2016.
Law of Georgia of 7 October 2008 No. 325 - LHG I, No. 24, 20.10.2008, Art. 163
Law of Georgia of 17 December 2010 No. 4112 - LHG I, No. 75, 27.12.2010, Art. 484
Law of Georgia of 25 February 2011 No. 4254 - website, 01.03.2011
Law of Georgia of 5 June 2012 No. 6400 - website, 19.06.2012
Law of Georgia of 17 October 2014 No. 2700 - website, 31.10.2014
Law of Georgia of 26 December 2014 No. 3013 – website, 31.12.2014
Law of Georgia of 4 May 2017 No. 777 - website, 25.05.2017
President of Georgia M. Saakashvili
Tbilisi,
19 June 2007
No. 4955–Is