The Chairman of the Georgian Bar Association, Irakli Kandashvili, met with Cheryl Barnard, a Homicide Supervising Attorney at the Sixth Judicial District Public Defender’s Office in Arkansas.

During the meeting, Irakli Kandashvili received information on American experience and practices in jury trials. The parties also discussed opportunities for future cooperation to support continuing legal education and the professional development of Georgian lawyers.

The meeting took place as part of a two-day training program.

With the support of the U.S. Department of State’s professional exchange programs and American Councils for International Education, Cheryl Barnard conducted a two-day training for Georgian lawyers on “Jury Trials” within the framework of the Continuing Legal Education Program.

The training covered the following topics:

• Developing defense strategy and case theory in jury trials;

• Jury selection strategies and questioning techniques;

• Preparing and delivering opening statements and closing arguments for the defense;

• Direct and cross-examination techniques;

• Comparing American and Georgian practices in jury selection and trial proceedings.

The training aimed to share American experience in jury trials with Georgian lawyers, introduce effective defense strategies, and strengthen lawyers’ professional skills at various stages of court proceedings.