The legal Aid Bureau for Specialized cases was officially opened its doors in Tbilisi, on July 7. The Bureau employs 19 public attorneys who will work in various areas.
The Head of the Bureau is Teona Kvernadze.
In terms of Criminal Law, the Bureau will work on protecting minor witnesses and persons with status; on cases entered at the point of making a plea agreement and executing the punishment;
The incoming cases pertaining to the issue of giving, terminating, revoking, or granting the status of asylum seekers, beneficiaries of international protection, will be led by the attorneys, specialists in Civil and Administrative Law;
They will be involved in legal disputes related to the separation of a minor from his/her parents, determination of visitation days, foster care, restriction and deprivation of parental rights;
Additionally, the attorneys will work on the cases received for the purpose of involuntary psychiatric assistance, regarding the placement of a person in the hospital/extension of the term, on disputes related to medical and labor relations. In its operation, the Specialized Cases Bureau will give particular consideration to safeguarding the rights of actual or alleged victims of domestic violence.
Director of the Legal Aid Service, David Simonia, noted that the launch of the Specialized Cases Bureau marks a new stage of the Service's institutional development.
D.Simonia expressed his gratitude to the donor organizations' representatives for their significant contributions.