2013-09-25

Tbilisi State University National Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution (NCADR) in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), South Texas College of Law (STCL), East West Management Institute (EWMI) and it’s program The Judicial Independence and Legal Empowerment Project (JILEP) on 14-15 September organized the National representation in Commercial Mediation Competition. The competition was organized at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University first academic building with the supervision of  South Texas College of Law professor Catherine Greene Burnett and Houston University Professor Tasha Willis.

NCADR  announced registration for Georgian Universities’ Law Faculty Student Groups for participation in National Competition in the Representation of Commercial Mediation. Every Georgian Higher Education Institution was authorized to register one group consisting of 3 or 4 Bachelor or Master Law students and one coach for participation in the National Competition. Those students who had already participated in previous Mediation Competitions organized  by NCADR were also allowed to be registered. Furthermore, participants who had a student’s status at the moment of registration were allowed to participate.

Each University was given reasonable time to register one team on its behalf. After the basic registration period was over NCADR prolonged the registration term and granted the right to Universities to  register one more team on its behalf. As a result the following teams were registered for the competition:

Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University Team "Mediation Club" , Ilia State University Team ''Iliauni'', Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University   team ''Alternative'', University of Georgia Team ''UG TEAM'', International Black Sea University ''Inovators'', International Black Sea University-  team '' Mediator +'', Grigol Robakidze University Team ''Alma Mater'', Free university Team ''Free university''.

Georgian mediators who had the international accreditation of British Organization – Center For Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) and NCADR trained notaries were registered to serve as volunteer judges and mediators in the National Competition of Representation in Commercial Mediation.  17 Judges and 5 mediators were involved in the competition: Irakli Kandashvili, George Sarajishvili, Tamar Morchiladze, Tornike Bakradze, Natia Ramishvili, Aleksandre Kamushadze, Davit Chalatashvili, Otar Tsiskarashvili, Eka Shengelia, Ana Kajaia, Tamar Bakradze, Eka Jeladze, Sofiko Gobejishvili, Shorena Khaindrava, Nino Saladze, Nino Barabadze, Irakli Kordzakhia, Lasha Nodia, Ucha Todua, Nata Sturua, Barbare Okropiridze, Ketevan Mumladze.

On September 10, 11, 12  training in mediation was held with the leadership of STCL professor  Catherine Burnett and ADR director at Houston University of Texas – Tasha Willis aiming at the preparation of the participant students and coaches for the competition. The students enquired the client representation skills in mediation process..

The following students and coaches participated in the training  and the competition from each registered University: Inira Aghapishvili, Irakli Piranishvili, Merab Kartvelishvili, Zurab Natroshvili , Darejan Bidzinahsvili (ILIA UNI), Ketevan Iremashvili , Khatia Chachanidze, Tatia Merkviladze, Ketevan Lomjaria, Ia khurtsidze (UG Team),  Teona Gonashvili , Tekle kenkishvili, Giorgi Kharaisvili, Mamuka Bubuteishvili (Alternative (TSU) , Teona Zhizhiashvili , Berdia Jibladze, Tamta Babunashvili. Gela Ivanidze, Mariam Shaishmelashvili (TSU Team “Mediation Club”), Giorgi Asatiani, Nini Koxodze, Ina katamadze, Elene Gasanova, Shalva Buava (International Black Sea University ,,Mediator+”, Maka kardava, Tamar Sadzaglishvili, Giorgi Makarashvili, Aleksandre Mermanishvili, Pavle Tavkhelidze (Grigol Robakhidze University Alma Mater), Nino Dundua, Levan Kantaria, Oleg Nanadze, Giorgi Svanadze (Team Free University), Natia Arachashvili, Tsisia okropiridze, Gvantsa Gamezardashvili, Zurab Chechelashvili (International Black Sea University ,,Innovators”).

On the first day of the competition teams were competing with each other in order to reach the semi-finals. The teams were completed in couples by preliminary voting system. The teams of  Grigol Robakhidze University, TSU, Free university and Ilia University succeeded in the preliminary rounds and went to semi-finals.  On the final round Free university  and Tbilisi State University teams were aiming to win the competition.

Free  University became the winner of the Competition. Tbilisi State University team was awarded with the second place  in the competition. Each student and coach of the both teams were awarded with books from NCADR and trophies from STCL. All students participating in the workshop and training were granted with relevant certificates.