GYLA’s legal education program is as many years old as GYLA itself. In early 90s, after GYLA was founded and was making first steps, the educational system was in shambles in the country. After graduating from higher institutes, students remained with nothing but a mere paper – a diploma, without any practice. Georgia was undergoing institutional reforms at that time and finding qualified lawyers was getting harder every day.
Back that GYLA constituted a collection of enthusiasm, knowledge and human resources needed. In 1994-1997, during an active phase of mutual education in GYLA, founding of a legal library was at its earliest stage. Law department students were actively attracted by offering initial services; lectures focusing on specific topics, debates, library, etc. Methodology was gradually improved, experience was accumulated and the demand for professional legal training emerged.
In 1997 the Open Society Institute founded the center for legal training and information in GYLA, which became one of GYLA’s strong points. Resources and services were growing and developing. The center offers three services consumers:
- Legal training
- Legal library
- Publishing
Strategic directions of the training center have been devised as follows:
- High quality legal education for future lawyers. Target group: students
- Creating and developing legal library. Target group: students, all interested legal professionals
- Publication of legal literature. Target group: legal professionals
- Training for representatives of adjacent professions. Target group: all who have anything to do with or need knowledge of legal issues
Trainings entailed the following:
- Constitutional law
- Civil law
- Criminal law
- International law
- Introduction to law, for 1-3 year students.
Demand for GYLA’s training courses grew year by year. Students acquired what institutes of higher education could not offer, in particular:
- Contemporary methodology
- Contemporary literature
- Best lecturers
- Regulated process of education
- Real career opportunities
Since the day it was founded
- Thousands of students have undergone GYLA’s training courses
- Hundreds of students were employed based on GYLA’s recommendation
- Dozens of serials were published, including almanacs, textbooks, collection of thematic essays
- An embryo library grew into the best legal library in Georgia, housing 15 000 books and periodic publication available in Georgian, English, Russian, German and French languages.
- Hundreds of roundtable meetings, debates, discussions of new legal regulations, seminars and trainings have been held.
- The cycle of professional trainings targeted tax officers, representative of NGOs, notaries, lawyers, judges, prosecutors, journalists, police academy teachers, patrol police officers, probationers, small business representatives and public servants from various public agencies.
GYLA continues its work as usual. The Foundation for Legal Education founded by GYLA focuses on development and improvement of professional skills among young lawyers (www.legaleducation.ge). GYLA’s Legal Education Center continues to provide trainings, workshops, roundtables, conferences for legal professionals and various interest groups.
