Lawyers: when you need one and how we find one

Who this is for

Foreigners who face a legal issue in Georgia: an arrest, a dispute, an accident or a contract.

Also people starting a business here, buying property or formalising an official document.

Our role

We find a suitable lawyer, arrange the consultation, interpret and help with documents and logistics.

You pay the lawyer's fee directly, and we never hold your money. We take no commission or referral fee from lawyers, and our fee is agreed separately.

We are not lawyers

Only a lawyer can give you legal advice, an assessment of your case or a forecast.

We do not tell you whether to start proceedings, settle or appeal.

You make such decisions, on your lawyer's advice.

When you need a lawyer

When you have been detained, charged or officially summoned by the police for questioning.

When someone was injured in an accident, you have a rental or contract dispute, or you are asked for money you do not owe.

When you are buying property, opening a company or signing a document whose consequences you do not fully understand.

Licensed lawyers

In Georgia, a lawyer must be a member of the Bar Association to represent you in court.

We check the lawyer's status in the official register.

We also consider other forms of legal consultation, but for a court case we always insist on a licence.

Choosing a lawyer

We choose a lawyer by the field of your issue, experience, language and availability.

A criminal case needs a different specialist from a property matter.

We suggest one or several candidates, and you make the choice.

Conflicts of interest

A lawyer first checks that neither they nor their firm represent the other side.

We always ask about this before you share the details of your case.

If there is a conflict, we look for another lawyer.

Language

Many lawyers work in English or Russian; for other languages an interpreter is needed.

In court and in official documents the language is Georgian.

We choose an interpreter who knows legal terminology, because even one wrong word matters.

Legal interpreters

A legal interpreter must understand legal terms and the legal concepts of both countries.

Some concepts exist in one language with no exact equivalent in the other, and the interpreter explains this.

The interpreter takes on a duty of confidentiality, much like the lawyer.

The first consultation

In the first conversation the lawyer listens to your issue and explains the possible routes.

Some lawyers charge for a first consultation, while others offer a short conversation free of charge.

We confirm the terms of the consultation in advance.

Preparing for the consultation

Before the consultation, write down the facts in date order and gather all your documents.

Prepare a list of questions in advance so the time is used well.

We send documents to the lawyer in advance by a secure route, with your consent.

Online consultations

If you have already left the country or find travelling difficult, a consultation can be by video call.

The interpreter joins the call as a third party.

An online format often saves time and cost.

Fees

The lawyer sets the fee: hourly, fixed or by stage of the case.

Agree the fee and extra costs in writing before work begins.

Pay the fee directly to the lawyer or firm, by official invoice.

Additional costs

Besides the fee there may be court duties and notary, translation and expert costs.

The lawyer explains these costs in advance so there are no surprises.

Pay each cost to the body that sets it, and keep the receipt.

The agreement with the lawyer

A written agreement with the lawyer sets out the scope of services, timelines and fee.

We translate the agreement before you sign.

Ask the lawyer to clarify any unclear clause.

Confidentiality

Conversations and documents with a lawyer are protected by professional secrecy.

As interpreter and coordinator, we share nothing we hear with anyone.

We send sensitive documents only through a secure channel.

Free legal aid

In some criminal cases, the state legal aid service provides a lawyer free of charge, in cases set by law.

We check this possibility with a lawyer or with the service itself.

Whether it is available depends on your specific case.

Arrest and charges

If you are detained, a lawyer should be involved as early as possible, before you give a statement.

Until you have spoken to a lawyer, the lawyer will advise you on declining to give a statement.

We inform your family and embassy, with your consent.

Preventive measures

After an arrest the court decides which preventive measure to apply, such as bail.

Having a lawyer at this hearing is especially important.

We arrange payment of bail or any other financial condition through official channels; we never carry money.

Searches and seizures

If your belongings, phone or room are searched, stay calm and ask for a copy of the record.

Check the list of seized items carefully.

The lawyer assesses whether it was lawful.

Road accidents

If someone was injured in an accident or you face a charge, a lawyer helps you deal with the insurer and the police.

With a rental car, the lawyer also reviews the rental agreement.

Keep the photos, record and witnesses' contact details from the start.

Claiming compensation

If you were harmed, you claim compensation from the party at fault or their insurer.

The lawyer assesses the amount of damage, the evidence and the deadlines.

Medical certificates, receipts and photos form the basis of the claim.

Rental disputes

Disputes with a landlord over the deposit, repairs or leaving early are common.

The lawyer reads the contract and suggests negotiation or a complaint.

Keep the correspondence and payment receipts.

Checking contracts

It is better to have a lawyer look at a rental, purchase, employment or partnership contract before you sign.

A small check is often far cheaper than a later dispute.

We go over the contract's translation and the lawyer's comments together.

Buying property

When buying an apartment or land in Georgia, a lawyer checks ownership, encumbrances and documents.

Foreigners face special restrictions on agricultural land, and the lawyer explains them.

We write about property in the relocation and business sections.

Business and companies

A lawyer or law firm handles company registration, tax matters and agreements with partners.

We write about business services separately in the business section.

We often connect you with a lawyer and an accountant together.

Residency and immigration

A lawyer's advice is valuable on a residence permit, appealing a refusal or overstaying.

An immigration lawyer checks the documents and deadlines.

We write about residency in the immigration section.

Overstaying

Staying longer than permitted may lead to a fine or problems with future entry.

A lawyer assesses the situation and helps you deal with the official authority.

The earlier you seek help, the more options remain.

Family matters

Marriage, divorce, maintenance or a child's residence needs a family law specialist.

Where different countries' laws overlap, international experience matters.

We write about organising a wedding in the wedding section.

Employment disputes

A foreigner working in Georgia may have a dispute over pay, dismissal or the contract.

An employment lawyer reviews the contract and correspondence.

Deadlines in employment disputes are often short, so do not delay.

Consumer rights

With faulty goods, a service not delivered or misleading advertising, first make a written complaint.

For a small sum, a lawyer's fee sometimes exceeds the value of the dispute, and a lawyer will tell you so honestly.

Disputing a payment through your bank is often the fastest route.

Medical disputes

With a complaint about medical care, ask for a copy of the medical records.

The lawyer decides whether an independent expert assessment is needed.

We give no medical advice or assessment.

Inheritance

Inheriting property left in Georgia requires probate proceedings and a notary.

Using another country's certificate of inheritance often requires an apostille and translation.

The lawyer and notary set the timelines and procedure.

The notary's role

In Georgia a notary certifies many transactions and documents, but a notary is not your lawyer.

The notary is neutral and does not separately protect your interests.

For a complex transaction, bring your own lawyer as well as the notary.

Powers of attorney

If you have left the country, a lawyer or someone close can act for you under a power of attorney.

The power of attorney must be notarised, and its scope stated precisely.

A power of attorney made abroad often needs an apostille or consular legalisation.

Translations and apostilles

A foreign document is submitted to a Georgian court or institution with a certified translation.

The apostille is issued by the country that issued the document.

We connect you with a proper bureau and notary, and you pay them directly.

Court

Court proceedings are in Georgian, and a party who does not speak the language needs an interpreter.

The lawyer tells you the hearing date, place and dress rules.

We arrange getting to court and the interpreter in advance.

How long court takes

A court case often lasts months or longer.

So you decide with your lawyer whether you need to attend every hearing.

At some stages the lawyer can act without you under a power of attorney.

Mediation and settlement

Not every dispute needs a court: negotiation or mediation is often faster and cheaper.

The lawyer assesses the settlement terms before you sign.

You make the decision, on your lawyer's advice.

Arbitration

A business contract sometimes provides for disputes to be heard in arbitration.

The arbitration rules, language and seat are written into the contract in advance.

Such a case needs a lawyer with arbitration experience.

Insurance and legal costs

Some travel or motor insurance partly covers legal costs.

Check the policy terms before hiring a lawyer.

Inform your insurer in advance if the policy requires it.

Leaving the country

If you have a case, ask your lawyer in advance whether you can leave and what the consequences are.

In some cases leaving is restricted, in others the case continues without you.

Wait for the lawyer's answer before booking a flight.

Checking a lawyer

Check a lawyer's status, experience and reviews before hiring them.

A lawyer who guarantees an outcome should make you cautious.

Do not hand a lawyer cash without a receipt.

Communicating with your lawyer

Agree the channel, how often you will get updates and response times from the start.

Ask for a written summary of every important meeting.

We help with communication and interpreting if you wish.

Keeping documents in order

Keep every document, letter and receipt for the case in one place, in date order.

Keep digital copies in a secure cloud.

An organised case saves the lawyer time and you money.

Changing lawyers

If you are not satisfied with your lawyer, you have the right to hire another.

Handing over the case and settling the fee are decided according to the agreement.

We look for a new candidate and help with handing over the case files.

Involving family

Family often tries to help from abroad.

With your consent, we set up one contact channel between the family, the lawyer and us.

We share confidential details only with your permission.

The embassy's role

The embassy offers a list of lawyers and consular help, but does not pay a lawyer for you or intervene in the case.

Having your embassy informed when detained is your right.

We write about contacting the embassy on a separate page.

Business visitors

On a business visit, the legal side of a contract or negotiation often needs checking locally.

We connect your company's legal department with a local lawyer.

We arrange interpreting and meeting logistics.

Living here longer

For residents, a trusted lawyer's contact is as important as a doctor's.

A single lawyer often provides regular advice on rental, employment and business matters.

We write about relocation in a separate section.

Older guests

Legal proceedings are especially tiring for an older guest.

We arrange meetings at the hotel or online and keep travel to a minimum.

With consent, we involve a family member at every step.

The emotional side

A legal problem abroad brings fear and a sense of helplessness.

Acting step by step with a clear plan reduces that feeling.

If needed, we connect you with a psychologist.

What we do not do

We give no legal advice and promise no outcome.

We take no commission or referral fee from lawyers.

We never take part in bribery or getting around the law.

Common mistakes

Giving a statement or signing a document before speaking to a lawyer.

Agreeing a fee verbally instead of in writing.

Missing dispute deadlines in the hope the issue would resolve itself.

What we need from you

What happened, when and who is involved, briefly and in date order.

All documents, correspondence and deadlines you know of.

Which language you want to work in and whether you can stay in the country.

Cost

Lawyers, translators and notaries set their own fees, and you pay them directly.

We take no commission from lawyers and add nothing to their fees.

Our fee for selection and coordination is separate and agreed as soon as the situation allows.