On June 27, a meeting the free legal aid providers network member organizations was held at the hotel "Wyndham Grand Tbilisi", organized by the Legal Aid Service (LAS) and supported by the USAID Rule of Law Program. Renewal of the network of legal aid providers was the event's main theme, with the goal of enhancing access to justice in the country. David Simonia, Director of the Legal Aid Service, welcomed the meeting.
Giorgi Chkheidze, Head of the USAID Rule of Law Program, Mariam Gabedava, representative of the same program, Levan Asatiani, Head of the UNDP Rule of Law and Access to Justice Program, Mariam Tabatadze, representative of the same program, and Nino Meladze, first deputy director of Legal Aid Service addressed the audience. LAS Director ‘s assistant, Salome Duduchava, moderated the meeting.
About 20 organizations were present at the assembly. The majority of them are the free legal aid providers’ network founders. It was noticed that the network's operation had been significantly hindered as a result of the pandemic issues.
Some of the organizations involved stopped functioning. The network needed to be updated, and changes increasing its efficiency had to be made. Other technological advancements will also be implemented, and the network website will be upgraded.
It should be mentioned that the network of free legal aid providers is available to all citizens who are experiencing any form of legal issue. The network participants operate within the constraints of the legal guidelines. The network offers a method to refer the beneficiary to another member organization, in case one of them is unable to help the citizen due to the lack of the relevant mandate. Overall, the network's existence vastly improves residents' access to justice.