Georgia’s High Council of Justice announces competition for Supreme Court Judge position amid political turmoil

The High Council of Justice of Georgia has officially announced a competition to select a candidate for a life-long judge position in the Supreme Court. Applications will be accepted from January 10 to January 31,, following a decree issued on the last working day of 2024, December 31, by the Council’s Secretary, Nikoloz Marsagishvili.

The upcoming vacancy in the Supreme Court arises as the tenure of Judge Nugzar Skhirtladze is set to end on September 1, 2025, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65. Another vacancy also exists following the departure of life-long Judge Shalva Tadumadze, who transitioned to the position of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.
Currently, the Supreme Court comprises 27 judges, including 26 life-long judges appointed by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The selection of a new judge will follow a multi-stage process, with the High Council of Justice reviewing applications and proposing a candidate to the Parliament of Georgia for approval.

The announcement comes amid a backdrop of political tension following the October 26, 2024 elections, the legitimacy of which has been questioned by opposition parties and segments of the public. Mass protests demanding new elections have continued in the capital, casting a shadow over the selection process.

Critics have raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary, pointing to the fact that all life-long judges currently serving in the Supreme Court were appointed under the Georgian Dream government. Since 2019, appointments to the Supreme Court have been carried out in several stages: 14 judges in 2019, 11 in 2021, and 3 in 2024.