MP, Zakaria Kutsnashvili introduced own position on the organic law on Common Courts and shared alternative draft. As he stated, according to the draft, the Judges of all the Courts are appointed by the High Council of Justice. He elucidated that the HCJ had this competence earlier and the draft envisages maintenance of this mechanism and defines different regime for assignation of the Judges and Court Chairs. “I have the impression that we grant excessive authority to Mr. Murusidze and his team to appoint the Chairs, Boards and Chambers of all the Courts – regional, city or appeal”.

His alternative draft on “Equal Opportunity for All Judges” envisages alternative regulations:

• To authorize the judges with 3 years instead of 5 to elect the Head of the Court with ballot. 3-years term ensures frequent rotation and ballot eliminates supporting of interests of some particular groups;
• In the event, if the Chair terminates authority of any of the judge ahead of time, the acting HCJ cannot be appointed with life-tenure. This authority of HCJ is restricted with 3 months prior to ballot.

He emphasized complications of the alternative version that according to the Rules of Procedure, he needs support of independent MPs, Factions or Committees to introduce the draft.

“I plan to hold consultations today with the majority Factions and Chairs of the Committees, as well as with independent MPs to ensure their support to my alternative version. Let’s give equal opportunity to all the judges and deprive the persons with the leverage, who cannot build justice in Georgia”.