Legal advice on any legal issue is accessible to everyone.

Any individual. Specifically: a citizen of Georgia, a stateless individual, a foreign citizen.

Legal consultation, drafting of documents, representation of a lawyer in court or an administrative body.

Any individual defined by the law. In particular, an insolvent person, a minor, a person with a disability, a victim/alleged victim of domestic violence, a person receiving support, an asylum seeker, a person subject to mandatory protection (see "Mandate of Service" for details).

The legal aid service is free of charge for the beneficiary. The service is financed from the state budget.

The Legal Aid Service operates independently and is not under the authority of any ministry or other governmental agency. It functions autonomously and is solely accountable to the Parliament of Georgia.

Since 2015, the attorneys of the Legal Aid Service are called "public attorneys

A beneficiary cannot choose a lawyer. The appointment of a lawyer is carried out through the electronic system in the office, which automatically distributes cases according to the workload of lawyers.

The Legal Aid Service operates through a network of 43 offices across the country, consisting of 13 Legal Aid Bureaus and 30 consulting centers. Apart from the main office, individuals seeking legal advice can visit the Bureaus and consulting centers located throughout Georgia. These offices serve as accessible points of contact where individuals can receive the necessary legal assistance and guidance. For specific addresses and contact information of the Service's offices, please refer to the "Offices" section.

Within the consulting center, there is a dedicated consultant who assumes the responsibility of providing legal advice to individuals who seek assistance. This consultant possesses the expertise and knowledge required to offer guidance and address legal concerns effectively. Furthermore, the consultant also assists individuals in drafting legal documents, ensuring that their needs are met in terms of documentation. Additionally, the Legal Aid Bureau employs specialized attorneys who work alongside the consultants. These attorneys contribute to the organization's ability to provide comprehensive legal assistance. Depending on the nature of the specific case and legal issue involved, these attorneys are capable of offering legal representation and support to individuals. Their expertise allows them to handle complex legal matters, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate legal aid catered to their unique circumstances.

Only if there is no case of mandatory protection.

Legal advice can be obtained by phone at the following number: 14 85 or 032 292 55. There are several options for obtaining advice online: 1. Social network - Facebook: Legal Aid Service; 2. E-mail: info@legalaid.ge; 3. Mobile consulting application - Legal Aid Service.

Dial 14 85 from all types of phones or call 032 292 00 55

Service mandate in criminal law

Public attorneys carry out the mandatory defense of the accused, regardless of the fact of insolvency. A lawyer is mandatorily appointed to the accused, if:

• he/she is a minor;
• does not know the language used in criminal proceedings;
• In cases where an individual has limited abilities that hinder them from effectively exercising their own protection.
• a ruling (resolution) has been issued on the appointment of a forensic psychiatric examination;
• if the liability for the act committed is provided in the form of life imprisonment;;
• Negotiations are underway with him/her regarding the conclusion of a plea agreement;
• The criminal case will be heard by the jury;
• avoids appearing /reporting to the law enforcement agency;
• is expelled from the courtroom;
• is an unidentified person;
• Consideration is given to the possibility of the his/her extradition to a foreign state under its streamlined process;
• In the case directly provided by the Criminal Code.


Minor witness/victim

The Service, regardless of the minor's insolvency, provides legal assistance if the lawyer, hired by the minor, does not participate in the case.


Accused/convicted (other grounds for appointing a lawyer)
The court is authorized to appoint a lawyer in a mandatory manner, if the lawyer of the accused or convicted person does not appear in court due to inadequate reason.

Accused, convicted (individual aged 18 to 21)
Accused/convicted individuals from 18 to 21 years of age enjoy the right to free legal aid;

Legal assistance in civil/administrative law cases

Legal assistance in civil/administrative law cases is provided to the following persons:

Insolvent person
Within the scope of civil and administrative proceedings, legal assistance is provided to an insolvent person, taking into account the importance and complexity of the case. Drafting of legal documents for insolvent persons is ensured, regardless of the importance and complexity of the case.

minor
The Service, regardless of the minor's insolvency, provides legal assistance if the lawyer hired by the minor does not participate in the case.

Protection of persons with disabilities
Legal aid is provided to persons with disabilities regardless of insolvency.

Protection of victims/alleged victims of violence against women and domestic violence
Legal aid is provided to victims of violence against women/domestic violence/alleged victims regardless of their solvency and the complexity and importance of the case when the court is considering the issue of a protective order if the attorney chosen by them does not participate in the case.

At the time of the issuance of the restraining order, legal aid is provided if the victim/alleged victim of violence meets the criteria of insolvency.

Legal aid in civil and administrative cases is provided to victims of domestic violence related to the fact of domestic violence, regardless of the victim's solvency, if he / she has not chosen a lawyer as a general rule.

The right to legal assistance in civil and administrative cases is ensured in the cases provided for by Article 5, Section 25, if one of the following circumstances is confirmed:

During the 12 months prior to applying for the Service, the person's income did not exceed 6000 GEL, the amount of money in the bank account opened in his/her name did not exceed 500 GEL at the time of the notification, and the turnover of the money in the said account during 90 days did not exceed 1500 GEL.

Protection of asylum seekers and persons under international protection
The Service provides legal assistance to those asylum seekers and individuals under international protection, whose dispute related to the request for international protection must be considered by the court in accordance with the procedure established by the Administrative Procedure Code of Georgia, regardless of their solvency, in the event that this individual did not choose an attorney in general, regardless of the importance and complexity of the case.

Protection of persons receiving support
Legal assistance is provided to the individual whose support must be considered by the court. Also, when the individual receiving support is a party to a civil and/or administrative case. The solvency of the individual, the importance and complexity of the case are irrelevant in this instance.

Accused/Convicted During disciplinary proceedings mandated by the Prison Code, the accused/convicted is provided with legal assistance in case of the individual’s insolvency;

Offender/alleged offender In proceedings provided for by the Code of Administrative Offenses, the alleged offender/offender is provided with legal assistance, in case of his/her insolvency, if only administrative imprisonment or administrative imprisonment together with another type of penalty is provided as a penalty for committing an administrative offense;

The patient/accused the patient/accused enjoys the legal aid when hospitalized, for the purpose of involuntary psychiatric assistance, regardless of his/her insolvency;

Patient In case of involuntary isolation of the patient in court, the person is provided with legal assistance, regardless of his/her insolvency;

Exceptional rule for appointing a lawyer The Director of the Service, based on the criteria defined by the Legal Aid Board, may make a decision to provide legal aid to an individual who is not a member of the family registered in the unified database of socially vulnerable families.

The criteria defined by Legal Aid Board for providing legal aid:

Prior to applying, an individual was registered in the unified database of socially vulnerable families, who, in accordance with resolution #424 of the Government of Georgia of June 30, 2014, was deemed insolvent and qualified for legal aid at the state expense, but when applying, his/her latest data were transferred to the archive;

If an individual's family is not registered in the unified database of socially vulnerable families, but according to the submitted documentation, he/she is in such a difficult social situation that it is impossible for him/her to hire an attorney;

The individual suffers from a serious or incurable disease, the list of which is determined by the order of the Minister of Labor, Health and Social Protection of Georgia, dated February 15, 2013, No. 01-6/N, as well as by the relevant resolution of the Government of Georgia on the approval of state programs for health protection; and is not listed as a member of the family registered in the database of socially vulnerable families in the unified database.

is a single parent;

is an individual, recognized as a victim of political repression, or in case of his/her death, his/her first-line heir

is an age pensioner;

An individual is an attorney employed by the Legal Aid Service, a member of the attorney's family or a their close relative;

is a member of the family having no breadwinner;

Is a beneficiary of the rehabilitation and resocialization program for ex-prisoners;

is a beneficiary of "Catharsis" (House of Virtue) of the International Humanitarian Union;

Is an underage individual who may be a party to civil/administrative cases;

is a person who needs legal assistance in case of family conflict and/or due to limited access to joint income.