The parliamentary majority made amendments to the Draft Law on Common Courts, based on the recommendations provided by the Venice Commission.

One of the clauses has been added to the draft, according to which the High Council of Justice submits the candidates to the Parliament for the selection and appointment of the judges and chairperson of the Supreme Court, who meet the general qualification requirements established by the Constitution of Georgia and this Law, and one of the following additional conditions:

Is an incumbent judge; is a former judge who has stopped practicing less than ten years ago;  is a person whose professional qualifications correspond to the highest status of a judge of the Supreme Court.

In addition, the High Council of Justice will be authorized to nominate a judicial candidate of the Supreme Court, who has not passed the judicial qualification exams.

According to the amended version, if the candidate for the Supreme Court is a member of the High Council of Justice, he/she does not enjoy the right to evaluate candidates and vote for them at any stage of the procedure, nor is authorized to ask questions candidates during their hearings at the High Council of Justice.

Venice Commission  published recommendations on April 16.