FAQ

What are the requirements for joining an association?

A member of the Bar Association may be a citizen of Georgia who:

► Has a Higher legal education;
► Has passed the Bar Qualification Exam, or passed the Judicial / Prosecutor's Office qualification exam;
► Has passed  one year Professional Adaptation Program approved by the Executive Board of the Georgian Bar Association, consisting of theoretical part and internship

Which documents are required to join the Association?

In order to become a member of the Association, the following documents are required to be submitted to the Association, either in material form or remotely via online form:

► Copy of ID card;

► Diploma of higher legal education;

►Document certifying the passing of Bar Qualification Exam or judges/prosecutor's office qualification exams;

► Proof of completion of the Professional Adaptation Program;

► CV;

► 1 photo on ¾;

► A certificate of non-conviction or removal/expungement of conviction record;

► A receipt of the membership fee.

How long is the Bar Certificate valid for?

 According to Article 11, Paragraph 11 of the Law of Georgia on Lawyers, Bar Certificate has 10 years of validity.

What does a 1 year adaptation program include?

The Adaptation Program is a compulsory component of entry into the profession, lasting 12 months and comprising 3 months of theoretical part and 9 months of internship.

Theoretical course is designed to teach the skills necessary for lawyer, and internship is built on developing practical skills with the assistance of mentor lawyer.

Does the convicted person have the right to join the Association?

According to Article 10, paragraph 2 of the Law of Georgia on Lawyers, a lawyer may not be a person convicted intentional grave crime or particularly grave crime unless the conviction has been removed or expunged as prescribed by the legislation of Georgia.

Who is responsible for making a decision on granting or refusing the membership to the applicant and how long does the process take?

The Executive Board of the Bar Association has the right to decide on the issue of Bar Membership within one month after registering the application.

What is the requirement for changing a Bar Registration Card?

In case of damage and/or loss of Bar Registration Card, after submitting the application and the proof of relevant payment (15 GEL), a new card will be issued within 3 business days.

Once the the application to join the association has been approved, how long will it require for the Association to issue a Bar Registration Card?

If the application for membership is accepted, Bar Registration Card will be issued within 5 days after the decision of the Executive Board.

For how long is the old Card of Advocate valid?

On December 7, 2018, the Georgian Bar Association’s Executive Board approved a new design of the card confirming the right to practice law, which came into force on January 1, 2019. At the same time, the validity of the old certificate confirming of the right to practice law has been set until January 1, 2021.

What is the amount and schedule of the membership fee for the person applying for the Association membership?

 The person applying for membership of the Association pays the membership fee according to the following schedule:

►Till May 1, the member pays 150 GEL

►From May 1 - September 1, a person pays 100 GEL;

►From September 1 to December 31, a person pays 50 (fifty) GEL.

What it the amount of membership fee and how is it paid?

The membership fee is 200 GEL. After joining the Bar Association, the following year's membership fee is paid annually until December 31 of the current year to the Association's bank account.

What criteria does a person have to meet to qualify for a concessionary membership fee?

In addocrdance with the decision of the Executive Board, 50% concessionary membership fee applies to the following members of the association:

►Families with 3 and more children.

►People with disabilities.

►Laweyers practicing the professional activities in the regions of Georgia.

►Persons who have reached the retirement age.

75% concessionary membership fee applies to those members of the association who:

• have reached the retirement age and who are at the same time practicing law in the regions of Georgia.

 

How do I suspend the Association Membership?

Membership of the Bar Association shall be suspended in accordance with the procedure established by Article 21³ paragraph 2 of "the Law of Georgia on Lawyers" on the following grounds:

►On the basis of a personal statement;

►In the instances provided set out by the Article 34 (1) (b) of the "Law of Georgia on Lawyers";

►In the instances provided set out by Article 10 (3) of the “Law of Georgia on Lawyers".

If the membership is suspended, the lawyer is no longer able to engage in any professional activities and does not pay a membership fee.

How to Restore a Suspended Association Membership Status?

Membership of a lawyer shall be restored upon submission of the relevant application to the Association and/or after the expiration of the term provided for in Article 34 (1) (b) of the “Law of Georgia on Lawyers” or on the grounds of elimination of the restrictions provided for in Article 10 (3) of the “Law of Georgia on Lawyers”

What could serve as the grounds for the termination of the Membership?

According to Article 21³, Paragraph 1 of the " Law of Georgia on Lawyers" membership shall be terminated:

►On the basis of a personal statement;

►On the bases of the relevant decision of the Ethics Commission and/or court;

►If an individual is recognized by the court as a disabled person or a recipient of support, or has been recognized as missing or declared deceased;

►if the court convicted of the person for crimes set out in the Article10(2) of the " Law of Georgia on Lawyers" ;

►If it became known that an individual did not comply with the  requirements of Article 10 of the “Law of Georgia on Lawyers”, which would have served as a ground to refuse the membership;

►If an individual does not pay the membership fee;

►In case of death.

What documents are required to re-apply for the association?

In the case provided for by Article 21³ (1) (g) of the "Law of Georgia on Lawyers", the following documents shall be submitted to the Association for re-admission:

►Copy of ID card;

►Diploma in higher legal education (copy);

►Document certifying the passing the Bar Exam or judges / prosecutor's qualification exams (copy of certificate);

►Proof of completion of the Professional Adaptation Program;

►CV;

►1 photo on ¾

►A certificate of non-conviction or removal/expungement of conviction record;

►A receipt of the membership fee.

What are the ways and time-frame for issuing public information by the Association?

Public information shall be openly available in the manner prescribed by the legislation of Georgia, except for personal data, as well as information classified as state or commercial secret as provided for by law. Everyone has the right to request public information, regardless of its physical form and storage method,  to choose the form of receiving a public information (copy, hard copy or electronic version), as well as have an access to information in the original form.

According to the General Administrative Code of Georgia, public information, including public information requested electronically, shall be issued immediately or not later than 10 days, if  providing a reply to the public information requires the following:

► Retrieving and processing information from its structural subdivision or other public agency located in another settlement;

► Finding and processing separate documents that are not interconnected to a significant extent;

► Consulting with its structural subdivision or other public agencies located in another settlement.