Independent MP, Eka Beselia held the second round of consideration of the bill on Election of the Supreme Court Judges and introduced it to the Bar Association, law firms and NGOs.

“It is the second meeting with the professional circles. The initiative concerns election of the Judges to be altered. The rule, adopted by the Parliament, was critically estimated by the international organizations – CoE, EU, US Embassy, OSCE/ODIHR, and experts. They called on the Parliament to replace the bad records and to share international recommendations and the bill I introduce reflects all the OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations that after the process grossly damaging the reputation and reliability of the judiciary system the bad record shall be replaced. Thus, we secure the risks that may follow election of the Judges due to the wrong procedures”, - she noted.

The bill envisages election of the Supreme Court Judges and respective criterion and is based on the best practice of the EU member states, best practice of ECHR and prevents all the risks. “Our version provides an offer for prevention of the risks and to entitle the Council of Justice with the authority solely provided in the Constitution. All the rest is up to be decided in the Parliament”, - she stated and added that the changes envisage all the candidates to appear in the Parliament regardless approved by the Council of Justice.

The second procedure relates to the process in the Legal Committee, which was criticized by OSCE/ODIHR. “It must not be an arbitrary process but due outlined”.

One of the changes concerns the quorum to ensure protection of the votes of non-judicial members of Justice.

“So, all the gaps made by the ruling party in the Council of Justice with the law shall be eliminated in our bill”, - E. Beselia stated.

The principles of the bill are acceptable for the Bar Association, law firms and NGOs and all the ideas expressed by NGOs will also be reflected.

After the meeting with the diplomatic corps and international organizations, the final meeting will be held with the political parties.