Scientific-Research Institute of Constitutional Democracy is a structural unit of the Faculty of Law at Caucasus International University.
Objectives of the institute:
- Enhancing the potential and significance of scientific research and educational programs in the field of constitutionalism.
- Promoting participation in scientific activities among individuals engaged or interested in constitutional law, including university students.
Based on the objectives of the activities,the functions of the institute are the following:
- Conducting scientific research on comparative constitutionalism and national constitutional law.
- Organizing seminars, conferences, training sessions, and a summer school focused on constitutionalism.
- Collaborating with national and international organizations in related fields.
- Implementing joint scientific-research projects with Georgian and international partners in constitutional law.
- Preparing and publishing scientific works, including monographs, textbooks, and academic journals.
- Seeking scientific grants and scholarships.
The activities of the Institute are overseen by the Head of the Institute, who is appointed and dismissed by the Rector of Caucasus International University.
Head of the Institute: Beka Kantaria, Doctor of Law, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Caucasus International University.
Honorary Head of the Institute: Mindia Ugrekhelidze, Emeritus Professor at Caucasus International University and Academician of the Georgian National Academy of Sciences.
Address: Caucasus International University, 5th floor, room 515, 73 Chargli St., Tbilisi.
E-mail: science.Law@ciu.edu.ge
Publications of the Institute
Part I of the Constitutionalism Trilogy Constitutionalism: Achievements and Challenges
Published in 2019, Universali Press
Scientific Editors and Publishers:
Mindia Ugrekhelidze and Beka Kantaria
Brief Description
This book holds both global and local significance. Globally, its importance is underscored by the scope of the topic and the diverse group of contributors, who are among the leading constitutional scholars of our time. Locally, it highlights the growing interest and revival of constitutionalism and constitutional law in Georgia.
The book proves the great cognitive value of the presented studies, particularly for students of law, while also being highly beneficial for experienced researchers. In addition, it has to be highlighted that the collection incorporates and analyzes a wealth of recent sources.
Organizing Committee: Tamta Tsirkvadze, Anuki Tsivtsivadze, Mariam Gogava and Dimitri Tsanava.
The book is available at: National Parliamentary Library of Georgia
Mamardashvili Hall 342.4/K-736
Archive fund F 1.678/5, P 1.119/5
Part II of the Constitutionalism Trilogy Constitutional Ideas and Processes in Georgian Journalism: The Struggle for Constitutional Democracy (1990-1995)
Published in 2020, Universali Press
Conceptual Understanding, Introductory Letter and Scientific Editing: Mindia Ugrekhelidze Project Author and Supervisor: Beka Kantaria
Brief Description
This collection gathers journalistic letters, interviews and articles that reflect the constitutional reforms of that time.
The second volume of the trilogy serves as a reflection on the 1995 Constitution through the lens of Georgian journalism, documenting the constitutional issues of the time. The book chronicles the contributions of Georgian journalists, constitutional scholars, historians, political scientists, public figures, and volunteers, including foreign experts. It provides a comprehensive account of the constitutional processes within the Georgian Parliament, the Constitutional Commission and various political and public organizations.
Editorial-Publishing Group:
Beka Kantaria, Tamta Tsirkvadze
Dimitri Tsanava, Elene Baghaturia, Lana Oniani, Lika Japaridze, Nino Khurtsidze (students of Caucasus International University).
The book is available at: National Parliamentary Library of Georgia
Book Archive: K 3.538/5, K 3.539/5
Mamardashvili Hall 821.353.1-92/s-196 Archive fund F 1.746/5, P 1.175/5
Part III of the Constitutionalism Trilogy 100 Years of the first Georgian Constitution
Published in 2021, Universali Press
Conceptual understanding, overall editing and leading article by Mindia Ugrekhelidze, project author and publishing manager - Beka Kantaria
Brief Description
This project was implemented with the support and active participation of the President of Georgia, Ms. Salome Zurabishvili.
The book opens with formal congratulations from both the President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, and the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II.
The collection stands as a landmark in the recent history of Georgian legal science, notable for the breadth of its subject matter and the distinguished group of contributors. It includes the Act of Independence of May 26, 1918, and the 1921 Constitution of Georgia, presented in Georgian, Abkhazian, English, French, German, and Italian languages.
Additionally, the collection features contributions from the European Court of Human Rights, including congratulatory letters and opinions from current judges and senior court representatives.
The book includes representatives of the following foreign universities: University of Washington, University of Bayreuth, Goethe University Frankfurt, Saarland University, University of Bologna, Humboldt University of Berlin, Georg August University of Göttingen, Wilhelm University of Bonn, Sorbonne University, University of Bremen, Heidelberg University, Heine University Düsseldorf, University of Leipzig, Central European University, University of Cologne, Hamline University, Jens Schiller University, Harvard University, University of Chicago, University of Zurich, University of Tübingen, University of Graz, Steinbeis University, University Paris 2, University of Iceland, University of St. Petersburg.
The book presents representatives of the following states of the world: USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Ukraine, Hungary, Iceland, Russia.
The collection includes acts of constitutional content in Georgian and English languages adopted by the highest bodies of the state government of Georgia since the 1990s, where the 1921 Constitution of Georgia is mentioned as the original source of Georgian constitutionalism. The collection also reflects the scientific works of foreign and Georgian scientists on fundamental issues of both constitutional and general law. The anniversary collection, on the one hand, will contribute to the popularization of the first Georgian constitution in the modern civilized world, and, on the other hand, to the revival of the independent school of Georgian constitutional law.
Group Working on the publication:
Anuki Tsivtsivadze (Head of the Public Relations Service at Caucasus International University)
Tamta Tsirkvadze, Baia Tolordava, Temur Tsurtsumia (PhD students of Caucasus International University)
Dimitri Tsanava, Elene Baghaturia (Undergraduate program students of Caucasus International University)
The book is available at: National Parliamentary Library of Georgia
Kartvelian Studies K 3.355/5 0
Archive fund F 1.809/5, P 1.233/5
The Authors of the Constitutionalism Trilogy Were Awarded Caucasus International University Scientific Prize Tamar
On May 3, 2022, the third award ceremony of the scientific prize “Tamar” offered by Caucasus International University was held in the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth of Georgia Tea Tsulukiani attended the ceremony.
Scientific prize “Tamar” was established by Caucasus International University in 2017 and it is awarded once in two years to scientists working at the university on the basis of scientific activities. It was named in honor of the King of Georgia - Tamar. The initiative was implemented with the blessing of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.
For the special contribution to the development of the scientific field, the scientific prize “Tamar” was awarded to legal scholar, lawyer, scientist and politician Mindia Ugrekhelidze and Doctor of Law, Affiliated Professor of Caucasus International University, Beka Kantaria.
The winners were given monetary awards and specially created “Tamari Medals”.
Source: www.culture.gov.ge
Liber Amicorum - Mindia Ugrekhelidze 80
2022, Universali Press
Materials were collected, edited and prepared for publication by Beka Kantaria
Brief Description
The book depicts the life and work of distinguished Georgian lawyer, academician Mindia Ugrekhelidze.
The documentary and archival material presented in the book, in addition to biographical details, reflects the latest history of the Georgian state and law, in the field of Georgian constitutionalism. Together with the turning stages of the history of diplomacy and the development of various fields of Georgian legal science, the book revives the path that was opened for Georgia in the European legal space after gaining independence. Mindia Ugrekhelidze was the first Georgian judge of the European Court of Human Rights and one of the founders of Georgia’s legal cooperation with the leading institution of the Council of Europe. At various times, he was the chairman of the Supreme Court of Georgia, a member of the International Association of Lawyers, International Criminal Law Association and Venice Commission, as well as an expert of the Tbilisi political school operating in the European Council system since 2009.
Today, Mindia Ugrekhelidze continues the development of Georgian legal science as an advisor to the Minister in the Ministry of Justice. He is the editor of the bilingual scientific journal “Justice” issued by the Ministry, which aims to develop science-based legislation and deepen academic discussion on legal issues. The famous scientist actively participates in the law-making process in attracting scientific potential, which is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Justice.
Group Working on the publication:
Anuki Tsivtsivadze (Head of the Public Relations Service at Caucasus International University)
Tamta Tsirkvadze, Baia Tolordava (PhD students of Caucasus International University)
Dimitri Tsanava, Elene Baghaturia, Lika Japaridze, Revaz Berulava (Postgraduate program students of Caucasus International University)
The book is available at: National Parliamentary Library of Georgia
Kartvelian Studies K 3.544/5 0
Archive fund F 1.916/5
Drafts Constitution Law of Georgia (1993-1995)
2022, Universali Press
The materials were collected, edited and prepared for publication by Mindia Ugrekhelidze and Beka Kantaria.
Brief Description
- Systematic and thematic publication of draft constitutional law makes it easier for researchers interested in the history of Georgian constitutionalism to find them, especially since there is little information about them in our scientific circles.
- The main thing that should be highlighted is that these represent the crucial conceptual opinions and views of the political organizations and their representatives actively involved in the process of constitutional construction, as well as individual members of the society, about the future constitutional arrangement of Georgia and basic human rights, how they envisaged a model of democratic development of the country after 70 years of totalitarian regime.
- The drafts are a clear example of how the constitutional thought is related to the Georgian reality, that the Georgian nation has been in communion with the ideals of classical and liberal constitutionalism since ancient times. The drafts show the knowledge of a large part of the Georgian society at that time about constitutional issues.
- It is interesting and significant that the drafts of the constitution are not homogeneous in terms of the form of government. Almost all the systems of the constitutional arrangement of the state, which are recognized in the world, are represented here, except for the absolute monarchy.
- One very important ambience can be observed in the drafts, which is so invaluable for the Georgian nation: respect for Georgian traditions, national and spiritual values and establishment of constitutional standards for their protection.
- The publication of the drafts is interesting and noteworthy if we take into account the fact that they were based on the draft presented by the State Constitutional Commission in July 1995, which was adopted with amendments and additions on August 24, 1995. The reader will soon understand this if s/he compares the individual articles of the drafts with the original and subsequent editions of the 1995 Constitution.
- No less interesting is the fact that the majority of the presented drafts clearly state in their preambles that they are based on the provisions of the 1921 Constitution of Georgia, especially in the part of basic human rights, or represent a new edition of this Constitution.
- Perhaps the most important thing that can be seen after getting acquainted with the drafts is that they try to solve the most significant problem for Georgia: the issue of territorial organization of Georgia and the future political status of the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in the country’s political system. Closely related to this issue is the bicameral model of the parliament, which is emphasized in almost all drafts.
- It is significant that the drafts presented here are not exhaustive, which is confirmed by the fact of the disappearance (loss) of the draft developed within the framework of the Chicago meeting in 1994 (the so-called “Chicago project”). The mentioned draft is still considered lost. Despite our best efforts, we could not trace it.
- The entities representing each draft (political parties and organizations) have worked hard to create these texts. By publishing them as one book, we pay modest tribute to their legacy.
The texts published in the collection were collected and used from the periodicals fund of the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia, as well as from the personal archives of the Parliament of Georgia, the national archives of Georgia, and individual jurists.
Selected Writings - Mindia Ugrekhelidze’s Book Presentation
On June 18, 2024, the presentation of the first book of Selected Writings by academician Mindia Ugrekhelidze, one of the founders of the Georgian Scientific School of Criminal Law, Emeritus Professor of Caucasus International University, was held in the exhibition pavilion of the National Archives of Georgia. The event was organized by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia.
The event was attended by Minister of Justice of Georgia Rati Bregadze, Minister of Health of Georgia Mikheil Sarjveladze, Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Parliament of Georgia Eliso Bolkvadze, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Georgia Roin Metreveli, Chairperson of the Georgian Bar Association Davit Asatiani, Bishop of Bodbeli, Reverend Iakobi, Director of the National Archives of Georgia Teona Iashvili, Director of the Georgian Justice Training Center Vakhtang Zhvania, Chancellor of Caucasus International University Vakhtang Tsivtsivadze, Dean of the Faculty of Law of Caucasus International University George Khatidze, as well as academicians, cultural, scientific and academic figures and other invited guests.
Most of the works included in this book were published abroad and are rare in our country. Many of them being published upon the recommendation of Tinatin Tsereteli and Vladimir Makashvili.
The ideas presented in the Selected Writings by Academician Mindia Ugrekhelidze extend beyond the traditional legal analysis of criminal law. These issues are explored and discussed within a broad spectrum of legal dogmatics, politics, philosophy, sociology, psychology and ethics.
Selected Writings was compiled, edited, and prefaced by Professor Beka Kantaria, Head of the Scientific Research Institute of Constitutional Democracy at Caucasus International University.
The book was published with the financial support from Caucasus International University.
During the book presentation, portraits of prominent Georgian lawyers Luarsab Andronikashvili, Tinatin Tsereteli, and Vladimir Makashvili were showcased.