The Minister of Justice appealled to the General Assembly of Notaries of Georgia to consolidate the new forces for continuing the reforms in the Notariat

The Minister of Justice attended the Annual General Meeting participated by up to 300 notaries. Ms. Tea Tsulukiani addressed to the audience, thanked them for the work done and talked about the reforms to be carried out in the notary field in 2017.

In addition, the Minister stressed the reforms and innovations in her speech that have been carried out in the Georgian Notariat for the last four years. In particular, the Ministry of Justice actively took measures to depoliticise the notariat and their activities from the end of 2012.

The new service - alternative and modern way of dispute resolution “Notary Mediation” launched in 2013. It should be noted that this service became one of the leading component of land registration reform in 2016. Following 4 months after the reforms, 70 disputes were successfully settled  through the notary mediation.

Constantly updated electronic database for persons supported by the Court was established in 2013; The service “Online Consultation with a Notary” was introduced. 

From 2014, the citizens can carry out all necessary transactions in the notary office and register the real estate in the Public Registry; the service “Free Phone Legal Advice from a Notary” was introduced; the service standards of the citizens were developed; the electronic register of terrorists and persons supporting terrorism was created; the rebranding of Notary Chamber was implemented, an advertising campaign: “I Trust the Notary” was launched.  The first electronic voting for a candidate of the chairmanship of the Chamber was held.

In 2015 the notary service was launched in the public centers in rural areas; Each newly appointed notary shall be obliged to serve the first 3 years in mountainous or such regions, where the notary services are not properly available.

In 2013-2016 - As a result of reforms, the notary services in areas where there have never been or fail to be for a long period of time are now available: Terjola, Ozurgeti, Tskaltubo, Tianeti, Lanchkhuti, Lentekhi, Tsageri, Oni, Mestia, Keda, Ambrolauri, Dedoplistskaro, Bakuriani and Kareli.

In 2012-2016, large-scale process to review the legality of the notary activities was carried out by the Ministry of Justice. The results of the activities of those notaries who were not examined for 10-15 years were revised. As a result of such examination, many notaries eliminated the deficiencies in their activities.

In 2016, the Notary Chamber celebrated 20^th anniversary. The anniversary celebration was opened in Tbilisi by the Chairman of the International Union of Notaries (UINL) – Daniel Cedar Senghor. It should be noted that after excellent organization of the International Conference of Notaries in Tbilisi, the decision was made to hold a meeting of the General Council of International Union of Notaries in Tbilisi. The event is scheduled for this spring.

In order to improve the notary service, the program “Mystery Customer” started for monitoring the population services in notary offices. The issue of disciplinary responsibility for notary activities has been refined and tightened.

The priority for 2017 is to improve the Law on Notary Activities for the citizen by offering them more qualitative service; new election of the Chairman of the Chamber; new office of the Chamber; introduction of block chain; elimination of existing defects and deficiencies in the notary offices and provided services as a result of opinions of mystery customer.