Enforcement proceedings in Georgia are governed by a dedicated statutory framework that operates through a mixed system of public and private bailiffs — a structure that is materially different from the enforcement models found in Russia or most EU jurisdictions, and one that foreign creditors should understand before committing to a Georgian asset-recovery strategy.
The primary legislative instrument is the Law of Georgia on Enforcement Proceedings, which establishes the procedural rules for executing court judgments, arbitral awards, and other enforcement titles. Oversight rests with the National Bureau of Enforcement (NBE), a state body subordinate to the Ministry of Justice. Alongside the NBE, Georgia permits private enforcement bureaux — licensed practitioners who may be instructed directly by creditors to pursue enforcement — which introduces an element of market competition into the execution process that is absent in most post-Soviet jurisdictions.
In practice, once a creditor holds a valid enforcement title — whether a Georgian court judgment, a recognised foreign judgment, or an arbitral award declared enforceable by a Georgian court — it files an enforcement application with either the NBE or a licensed private bureau. The bureau identifies and attaches the debtor's assets, which may include bank accounts, immovable property, movable assets, and shares in Georgian legal entities. Georgian law imposes defined sequencing rules for asset attachment and sets out protected categories of property that may not be seized. Proceeds from enforcement sales are distributed according to a statutory priority scheme, which foreign creditors should review carefully when there are competing claims.
For foreign creditors recovering assets through Georgian courts or via cross-border proceedings touching Georgia, the enforcement stage is often the most operationally intensive. Key variables include the asset profile of the debtor, the responsiveness of the bureau instructed, and whether any interim freezing measures were obtained at the pre-enforcement stage. Timelines vary considerably — straightforward bank account enforcement may conclude within weeks; contested real property enforcement can extend to a year or more depending on debtor challenges.
If you hold a foreign judgment or arbitral award and are considering asset recovery in Georgia, or if you are instructing Georgian local counsel for the enforcement stage of a cross-border matter, make an enquiry: info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp/Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76
— Giorgi Kavtaradze Contributing Regional Analyst — Georgia, Commercial Disputes and Enforcement vetrovpartners.com/contributions/
Giorgi Kavtaradze advises on commercial disputes and enforcement matters in Georgia, acting as a contributing regional analyst for Vetrov & Partners on Georgian law questions arising in cross-border mandates. He is qualified in Georgia and practises Georgian law.
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.