According to the Chairman of the Georgian Bar Association, Davit Asatiani, the decision that bans photo and video recording, as well as audio recording, in court cannot, under any possible interpretation, become grounds for confiscating electronic devices from lawyers when entering court buildings.
“The electronic devices (mobile phones/laptops) that lawyers use inside courtrooms are essential tools for our work, and there has never been a case where a lawyer used them for video recording or editing clips. Moreover, lawyers have no need for this, as participants in proceedings already have unrestricted access to audio records and, when necessary, video recordings of hearings.
Despite today’s specific statement, there has never been and as representatives of the judiciary have once again confirmed to me, there will not be in the future any plan to restrict lawyers from using electronic devices,” Asatiani writes.
He is formally addressing the High Council of Justice for an additional explanation to rule out any obstruction of lawyers’ professional activities.
“The Bar Association will not allow any interpretation of the law or the establishment of any incorrect practice that would make it impossible for us to fully carry out our professional duties, and I hope that we will all be united on this issue,” Asatiani states.
According to High Council of Justice member Dimitri Gvritishvili, the restriction on bringing technical devices including mobile phones and laptops into courtrooms applies to everyone: the media, lawyers, and prosecutors.
“I don’t know why he reassured [lawyers], or why he interprets the law this way… I am not aware of who arranged what. I am explaining to you, as a lawyer and as a judge, the meaning of the regulation: it applies to everyone, without exception. And if someone is spreading false information, that is their problem,” Gvritishvili said, commenting on an earlier statement by the Bar Association chair, which had claimed the restriction would not affect lawyers.