In 2012 we inherited a court run by one person, actually a unit within the prosecution. It was announced by the Prime Minister after a meeting with members of the High Council of Justice today in response to questions posed by journalists at the Supreme Court of Georgia.

“I also wish to remind our society, partners and everyone that as a result of reforms we implemented during the past 10 years, it has become absolutely clear – like a daylight as they say – that a new reality has been created. Before and after differs like a day and night since we inherited the system in 2012. I need to apologize for saying it bluntly, but in real terms we know well that the system used to be managed by one person and namely by Ex-President Saakashvili and Minister of Justice Adeishvili, who was a Chief Prosecutor at the same time, thereby giving instructions to the judiciary. Court of law used to be a unit within the prosecution in a real sense. We ended that when the Georgian people refused to be governed by an abusive regime.

When the Georgian Dream came to power, we told the judiciary that they were set free and independent. I also remember our discussions with our foreign partners and colleagues. Their recommendation was to have absolutely no measures enforced against the judges and we, of course, did nothing. On the contrary! We provided maximum support to our judges and courts of law from the day we came to power. Also, let me remind you also that one of the key recommendations made by the non-government organizations and embassies was to have lifelong appointment of judges, which our government honored as well.

Results of reforms implemented in four waves are manifested in the Georgian judiciary as among the role models within the EU, I would say so. It is evidenced by the studies carried out a few days ago. Public trust towards the judiciary has been increased tremendously. It is much higher than the average indicator for Europe, thus indicating that trust towards our court of law is higher among our citizens.

I would refer to another key indicator to demonstrate that our population seeks and finds justice in Georgia in a real sense. It is evidenced by the statistics, e.g. cases appealed to Strasbourg prior to 2012 were record-high as some 4000-5000 cases were taken further to the European Court of Human Rights. Why was that, my dear friends? It was because our citizens failed to find justice here. It is a simple truth.

Only 150 cases were appealed to Strasbourg this year. This is the magnitude of difference. This great is the progress. It once again means and confirms that trust towards the judiciary is absolutely increased and citizens succeed in finding justice within the country”, - said Irakli Garibashvili.