OSCE Mission organizes study visit to France for Georgian judicial practitioners

TBILISI, 22 October 2007 - A delegation of judges and other officials from Georgia today began a study trip in France, organized by the OSCE Mission, to learn about the French judicial training system.

"This visit is part of the OSCE Mission's efforts to promote judicial reform in Georgia. The study trip will give the Georgian delegation an overview of the methodology used in one of the OSCE participating States," said Ambassador Terhi Hakala, Head of the OSCE Mission to Georgia.

"Exchange of experience is important, and I believe that it will positively contribute to the development of the curriculum of the School of Justice."

The Georgian delegation is headed by the Chairman of the Supreme Court Kote Kublashvili and includes judges of the Supreme Court as well as officials from the High School of Justice and High Council of Justice.

During the visit, which continues until 27 October, Georgian judicial practitioners will meet with their French counterparts to learn about the initial and continued education French judges receive.

The study trip will also focus on specialized training, trials by jury and disciplinary actions related to the judiciary. The delegation will meet with the President of the Court of Cassation, France's main court of last resort, and will attend court sessions.