You won the case abroad. The judgment is in your hands. But the opposing party’s assets are in Georgia – and right now, that ruling is little more than paper.
This is the moment when a critical legal question surfaces:
Can a foreign court judgment actually be enforced in Georgia?
The answer is YES – but the procedure demands precision, strategic preparation, and exprecienced legal counsel.
Legal Framework
Recognition and enforcement of foreign court decisions and arbitral awards in Georgia governed by a layered set of legislative sources:
- Civil Procedure Code of Georgia – sets out recognition and enforcement rules for foreign judgments;
- Law of Georgia on Arbitration – governs arbitral proceedings and the enforcement of arbitral awards;
- Law of Georgia on Private International Law – provides conflict-of-laws rules;
- 1958 New York Convention – the cornerstone international instrument for arbitral award enforcement;
- Minsk Convention – applicable to decisions from CIS member states.
Where international treaties apply, they take precedence over domestic legislation. This means the New York Convention and the Minsk Convention govern the process for qualifying awards — a critical advantage for applicants.
The Competent Court
All applications for recognition and enforcement of foreign court decisions and arbitral awards are filed before the Supreme Court of Georgia. The Supreme Court is the sole authority empowered to rule on such applications, making procedural preparation at this level especially important.
Grounds for Refusal
A decision shall not be recognised if:
- a) a case belongs to the exclusive jurisdiction of Georgia;
- b) a party was not notified of summoning by way of delivering the writ of summons under the law of a country adopting the decision or other procedural violations have occurred;
- c) there is a legally effective court decision of Georgia on the same dispute between the same parties, or a legally effective court decision of a third country which has been recognised in Georgia;
- d) the foreign court that adopted the decision is not considered as competent under the legislation of Georgia;
- e) the foreign country does not recognise court decisions of Georgia;
- f) proceedings are pending in Georgia between the same parties on the same issue and on the same basis;
- g) the decision contradicts the basic legal principles of Georgia.
Required Documents
For Foreign Court Judgments
- A duly certified copy of the foreign judgment;
- A certified Georgian translation of all documents;
- A certificate confirming the judgment has entered into force;
- Evidence that the defendant was properly notified.
For Foreign Arbitral Awards (New York Convention)
Under Article IV of the New York Convention, the applicant must present:
- The original arbitral award or a duly certified copy;
- The original arbitration agreement or a duly certified copy;
- A certified Georgian translation, where the award is not in Georgian.
Timelines and State Fees
Foreign Court Judgments:
- Timeline: The Supreme Court must issue its ruling within 6 months of the application.
- State fee: 5% of the value in dispute – minimum 300 GEL, maximum 6,000 GEL for individuals and 8,000 GEL for legal entities.
Arbitral Awards:
- State fee: 150 GEL – significantly lower, reflecting the streamlined regime.
- Response period: The opposing party has 7 days to respond after receiving the application.
- Court ruling: The Supreme Court must rule within 30 days after the response period expires.
NOMOS GEORGIA advises businesses, investors, and individuals on the recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments and arbitral awards in Georgia.
Our team manages the entire process – from document preparation to enforcement proceedings – ensuring your legal rights translate into real-world results.
Contact us to discuss your case.
