On Thursday, July 1, JusticeMaker Nana Chapidze hosted a working meeting of the lawyers, consultants and legal studies interns that would work diligently for the next year executing the project “Supporting Juvenile Justice Reforms in Georgia.”

Beginning only two weeks ago, the project is currently in its administrative stage.

At this meeting, Chapidze assigned tasks and deadlines to six other key team members, each of whom had their own passions and skills to contribute to the project’s completion.

Nodar Jikia, 45

-Completed a UNICEF sponsored Training Course on the Advocacy for Children’s Rights
-Founder and Director of programs of the GYLA Kutaisi Branch
-Teacher at Zurab Jvania State School of Administration on “The Legal Basics of Local Democracy”
-Lecturer at Akaki Tsereteli State Kutaisi University on “The Legal Regulations of Education”
-Regional Coordinator of a program entitled “Models of Integration in Georgia” at the Denmark External Affairs Ministry
-Working to compile a book aimed at engaging the youth in the electoral process and other functions of civil society

Photo by Roshan Nebhrajani

Research Consultant
-Research and analyze domestic and international legislation
-Monitor juvenile and juvenile offenders’ criminal justice rights in Georgia
-Asses the legality of juvenile programs
-Prepare legislative recommendations to strengthen juvenile justice programs
-Extend the project past the Kutaisi branch

Ana Chapidze, 27

-Practicing Lawyer at The Ministry of Penitentiary, Probation and Legal Aid of Georgia.
-Coordinator at The Center of Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Georgia
-Member of GYLA
-Member of Georgian Bar Association

Photo by Roshan Nebhrajani 

Program Consultant
-Provides practical knowledge about the state of juveniles in Georgia
-Represent juveniles in court affairs
-Serve as a connection between GYLA and the State
-Prepare memorandums with the Georgian Bar Association

Giorgi Chikaberidze, 26

-Lawyer and legal consultant to the GYLA Kutaisi Branch
-Member of the board of the GYLA Kutaisi Branch
-Member of the Georgian Bar Association
-Qualified to serve as a judge in the Georgian courts
-Participates in training sessions organized by The Council of Europe, The American Bar Association, Georgian High Commissioner of the United Nations, Article 42 of the Constitution, The Institute for State and Law, and various international NGO’s on topics such as the European Convention for Human Rights, Advocacy and Networking, Prohibition of Torture, Right to Fair Trial, Addressing the European Court for Human Rights, and Rights for Liberty and Person

Photo by Roshan Nebhrajani 

Program Consultant
-Provide legal consultations to parents, juveniles and other NGO’s
-Give legal consultations to juveniles whose rights have been violated during trial proceedings
-Represent juveniles at court

Nino Akhalaia, 21

-Third year law student at Chxorotsku Regional Secondary School with a concentration in Criminal Law

Photo by Roshan Nebhrajani 

Legal Studies Assistant
-Create and implement a training model for at-risk and delinquent juveniles
-Teach Georgian youth about their human rights in accordance with UN standards

Levani Vepkhvadze, 19

-First year law student at Akaki Tsereteli State University with a concentration in Criminal Law

Photo by Roshan Nebhrajani 

Legal Studies Assistant
-Request public information from the Kutaisi city and appellate courts
-Create relationships and connections with other local and international NGOs
-Monitor juvenile criminal court cases

Dariko Vadachkoria, 19

-First year law student at Akaki Tsereteli State University with a concentration in Criminal Law

Photo by Roshan Nebhrajani 

Legal Studies Assistant
-Analyze Georgian juvenile legislation and compare it with other legislative systems
-Propose and align new amendments with the UN human rights standards
-Create and implement a training model for at-risk and delinquent juveniles
-Teach Georgian youth about their human rights in accordance with UN standards

Over the course of the coming year, with the help of IBJ and support from GYLA, these seven dedicated team members will collaborate ideas, passions and skills in order to ensure a sustainable reformation of the Georgian juvenile justice system.