On January 12 at 6:00 PM, Caucasus University will host the presentation of the first-ever commentary textbook on the Juvenile Justice Code at its bookstore, Libraria.

The Juvenile Justice Code entered into force in Georgia on January 1, ushering in a fundamental shift in the perception of children and society’s approach to their rights - particularly among professionals working in this field. The Code affirms that children are individuals with special rights who require distinct care and protection. Consequently, all participants in juvenile justice proceedings, including judges, must place the protection of the child’s rights at the forefront throughout the entire justice process.

The commentary was developed within the framework of a project led by Judge Levan Darbaidze, Affiliated Professor at Caucasus University School of Law. The project won the 2023 Fundamental Research Grant Competition of the Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia and resulted, for the first time in Georgia, in the creation of comprehensive commentaries on the Juvenile Justice Code with the participation of local and international experts. From both academic and practical perspectives, the publication serves as an essential resource for students, practicing lawyers, and all those interested in the protection of children’s rights.

The project brought together representatives of the Georgian judiciary, sitting judges, and Austrian judge Renate Winter, former Vice President of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The textbook offers detailed, integrated commentary on all legal and procedural aspects of the Juvenile Justice Code.

The publication examines:

• International legal instruments in the field of juvenile justice, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (the “Beijing Rules”), and the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (the “Riyadh Guidelines”);
• Precedent-setting judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and decisions of domestic courts;
• Article-by-article commentary on the Juvenile Justice Code.

As a core reference, the textbook is primarily intended for law students for whom juvenile justice is part of the curriculum, as well as for professionals engaged in the juvenile justice system—police officers, investigators, prosecutors, judges, parents, social workers, psychologists, teachers, and others who work directly with children and seek an in-depth understanding of the legal framework governing this field.

Those wishing to attend the presentation are kindly requested to register via the provided link by January 8, 2026.