A Russian court judgment does not automatically take effect in Georgia. For a foreign creditor seeking to recover against assets located in Georgia, the judgment must first be recognised and declared enforceable by a Georgian court — a distinct procedural step that precedes any execution.
Georgian procedural law permits the recognition of foreign court judgments in civil and commercial matters, provided specific conditions are satisfied. Because Georgia and Russia are not bound by a bilateral treaty on mutual legal assistance in civil matters that expressly covers judgment recognition, the procedure operates on the basis of Georgian domestic rules, with reciprocity acting as a relevant but not conclusive factor. In practice, Georgian courts assess whether the originating judgment meets a set of threshold requirements: the Russian court must have had proper jurisdiction over the matter; the defendant must have been properly served and afforded an opportunity to be heard; the judgment must be final and binding in Russia; and its enforcement must not be contrary to Georgian public policy or mandatory statutory provisions.
For a foreign creditor, this means the Russian judgment is the starting point, not the finish line. A separate application for recognition must be filed with the competent Georgian court. The application is accompanied by a certified and apostilled copy of the judgment together with a certified Georgian translation. The Georgian court does not re-examine the merits of the original dispute — it reviews only whether the recognition conditions are met. If recognition is granted, the judgment is treated as equivalent to a Georgian judgment and becomes enforceable through the National Enforcement Bureau.
Creditors who hold a final Russian judgment and are considering recovery against assets in Georgia should initiate the recognition procedure without delay. Enforcement conditions, including the debtor's asset position, can change, and early action preserves practical options.
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— Giorgi Kavtaradze Contributing Regional Analyst — Georgia, Commercial Disputes and Enforcement vetrovpartners.com/contributions/
Giorgi Kavtaradze is a contributing regional analyst covering commercial disputes and enforcement matters in Georgia. He advises on cross-border recovery procedures, the recognition of foreign court judgments under Georgian law, and the coordination of enforcement action with Russian counsel.
This publication is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice under Russian or any other applicable law. The information herein should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel tailored to your specific circumstances. Vetrov & Partners is a Russian-qualified law firm. For matters governed by foreign law or requiring local admission in another jurisdiction, we collaborate with trusted counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. For advice regarding your particular situation, please contact info@vetrovpartners.com.