Judge Denies Lawyers Access to Court Case

Judge Denies Lawyers Access to Court Case

The judge of the town court, Jorbenadze made an unprecedented illegal decision just a few hours ago. He has denied lawyers of the organization “Article 42 of the Constitution” Tamar Pridonashvili and Vanda Jijelava, entrance to a court case over which he is presiding.  The judge discriminated against the defendants’ old age, their physical state, and their lack of legal knowledge, making a final decision without allowing the presence of any representation for the defense.

The judge didn’t allow the lawyers to attend the hearing of the case because they are not the members of the Lawyers Association.  This decision is entirely groundless and unlawful. Georgia’s code of civil processes only indicates that lawyers are deprived of the right to perform their duties as of January 1, 2006 if they haven’t passed special tests. The lawyers who defended the clients in this private case have passed these tests, and as of yet, membership in the Lawyers Association is not obligatory under current legislation.  This membership requirement was established only four days ago, and is not yet mandatory.

Human rights organization “Article 42 of the Constitution” described the judge’s behavior as illegal, and says that it aims to discredit lawyers. The judge has violated the lawyer’s professional right to perform their job, as well as the citizen’s right to be defended in court.

 The organization “Article 42 of the Constitution” will apply to the Supreme Council of Justice of Georgia with the demand to hold disciplinary proceedings on the case of Judge T. Jorbenadze.