Supreme Court of Georgia (country)

This article refers to the highest court of the country of Georgia; for the highest court of the U.S. state, see Supreme Court of Georgia (U.S. state).

The Supreme Court of Georgia is the highest judicial authority of the country of Georgia. It is located in the capital, Tbilisi. The structure and powers of the court are defined primarily by Article 90 of the Constitution of Georgia, which was enacted in 1995:

1. The Supreme Court of Georgia shall supervise the implementation of justice by the common courts of Georgia, review particular cases as the court of the first instance by the determined procedure.

2. The chairman and judges of the Supreme Court of Georgia shall be elected by the Parliament for at least ten years term upon the submission of the President.

3. The competence, organization of the Supreme Court of Georgia, also rules of pre-term suspension of activities and authority of the Supreme Court members shall be defined by law.

4. The chairman and members of the Supreme Court shall enjoy personal immunity. Prosecution of the chairman and members of the Supreme Court, their detention or arrest, search of their place of residence, automobile or office, or search of their persons shall be impermissible without the consent of the Parliament. Should a judge be arrested in the process of committing a crime, that constitutes an exception from the general rule, the fact shall be immediately notified to the Parliament. Should not the Parliament give its approval, the detained or arrested person shall be immediately released.

Several other provisions of the Constitution also affect the power of the Supreme Court. Article 15 requires that only the Supreme Court can hand down a death sentence. Article 63 gives the Supreme Court concurrent jurisdiction with the Constitutional Court to hear impeachment of the President.

External links

• Chairmen of the Supreme Court of Georgia
• Country Studies: The Judicial System of Georgia