The newly released Chambers Global 2018 rankings sees BGI Legal recognised with the highest number of law firm and lawyer rankings of any firm in Georgia and reinforces its position as the country's leading independent law firm.

The firm has once again secured the highest possible Band 1 ranking and five of its lawyers, more than any other Georgian firm, are ranked by the directory.

Founding Partners Lasha Gogiberidze and Zaza Bibilashvili are highly acclaimed as are Sandro Bibilashvili, Unana Gogokhia and Tamara Tevdoradze.

"Lasha Gogiberidze has an enviable track record of acting on the market's highlight deals", says Chambers, "winning praise for his responsiveness, and is described as "very client-focused and understanding of our needs."'

Chambers says of Zaza Bibilashvili: "he is a highly respected corporate and disputes lawyer with significant practical experience in real estate transactions. Clients note his creativity and availability."

BGI Legal are today delighted to announce the election of Senior Partner Lasha Gogiberidze to the board of the EU-Georgian Business Council (EUGBC) 

The EU-Georgia Business Council (EUGBC) is a non-profit association founded by Georgian and European companies in 2006 in Brussels and has since September 2013 operated a representative office in Tbilisi. The objective of the EUGBC is to encourage investment and trade between the European Union and Georgia. The Council assists and advises its members on all questions relating to setting up and doing business in Georgia and the EU, through building business links, solving market access difficulties and overcoming regulatory obstacles. 

EUGBC also provides its members with information on investment related regulations and can assist with liaison between the Government of Georgia, EU Institutions and EU Member States. Members represent many economic spheres including oil and gas, banking, consultancy, freight forwarding, industry, media, trade, construction and SMEs. 

The association's Board is composed of the top managers of the leading European and Georgian companies.

On November 28, 2017 the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights delivered a landmark judgment on the case of Ivane Merabishvili v. Georgia.

In its landmark decision the Court found violation of Articles 5.3 and 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Specifically, the Grand Chamber reiterated the Section judgment and stated that pre-trial detention of the former Prime Minister Ivane Merabishvili's was politically motivated and was misused by the Georgian Government to exert pressure on him.

The case of Merabishvili v. Georgia is only the 7th case in the Court's 60-year history where violation of Article 18 has been found. More importantly, this is the first case ever where violation of Article 18 was established by the Grand Chamber.

Mr. Merabishvili's interests were represented by BGI Legal (Georgia) and European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC, Middlesex University, London).

"The judgment on case of Merabishvili v. Georgia has shaped the precedent in the field of human rights law and represents a pivotal step towards effective protection of legal and political rights of individuals throughout Europe" - Ani Khojelani, Attorney representing the Interests of Ivane Merabishvili before the European Court of Human Rights.

"The judgment is important not only for the Applicant, former Prime Minister of Georgia, but also all individuals in Europe. This landmark and historical judgment will be effective way for the individuals to protect themselves from politically motivated state abuse in the future" - Davit Kakoishvili, Attorney representing the Interests of Ivane Merabishvili before the European Court of Human Rights.

Partner Sandro Bibilashvili has been elected by the Executive Board of ICC Georgia as the Chair of its Commercial Law Commission. ICC Georgia is the Georgian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce.

"This is yet another recognition of BGI as the leader of the Georgian legal market. By spearheading the work of the Commercial Law Commission, we will be in a position to engage directly with senior policy-makers and contribute to the development of a statutory framework in the interest of the business community," says Bibilashvili.