Lawyer in Tbilisi, Georgia - top-rated attorneys for criminal defence and civil law
Coalition Legal is a platform of verified, English-speaking lawyers in Georgia. Choose a criminal defence lawyer, a civil litigation lawyer, an immigration, real estate or corporate attorney, get a free legal consultation and know the fee before anything starts.
Our office is in Tbilisi; we serve clients across Georgia and abroad. Remote consultation from any city or country.
Criminal defence lawyer in Tbilisi - from the first police interview
In a criminal case, time is the most expensive resource. The first 48 hours after detention, the first interview and the pre-trial detention hearing often decide the outcome before the trial begins. A criminal defence lawyer should be involved before you are formally charged - even as a witness you have the right to have a lawyer present and to refuse to give a statement without one.
For foreign nationals the stakes are higher: language barriers at the police station, unfamiliar procedure, the risk of a travel ban or deportation, and the need to inform your embassy. Coalition Legal matches you with an English-speaking criminal lawyer who works in exactly your category of case - economic and financial crime, drug offences, violence and bodily harm, road traffic incidents, cybercrime, or offences involving officials. Not a "generally strong" lawyer, but one with results in cases like yours.
On the defence side, the lawyer reviews the case file, challenges the legality of evidence, attends every investigative action, files motions, negotiates a plea agreement with the prosecution and, if needed, appeals the verdict to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. On the victim side, the lawyer makes sure the case is not quietly closed and that damages are actually recovered.
Civil litigation lawyer - property, contracts, debt and damages
A civil dispute does not start in court - it starts with the first letter. A properly drafted claim letter, knowledge of limitation periods and timely preservation of evidence often resolve the matter without a trial. You need a civil lawyer whenever money, property or a contract is involved, whether you are the claimant or the defendant.
Mind the deadlines. Under the Civil Code of Georgia the general limitation period is 10 years, contractual claims expire after 3 years, and contractual claims relating to real estate after 6 years. Once the period has run, even a fully justified claim will fail in court if the other side raises the limitation defence. That is why the first thing we check in the initial consultation is the deadline.
A civil litigation lawyer drafts the claim and the defence, applies for interim measures (freezing assets, injunctions), represents you in all three court instances and at the enforcement stage. A judgment in your favour is only worth something once it is actually enforced - and enforcement against a Georgian debtor is a separate skill.
Lawyers by practice area - 12 fields of law
Every field of law has its own logic, deadlines and court practice. The right specialisation affects the outcome more than the number of years in practice. Choose a field - the page shows only the lawyers who actually work in it.
Criminal defence lawyer
Detention, charges, pre-trial measures, plea agreements, appeals. A lawyer from the first interview.
Matched by phone →Civil litigation lawyer
Debt, contracts, damages, property disputes. Before court and in court.
Matched by phone →Employment lawyer
Unlawful dismissal, unpaid wages, severance, employment contract terms.
Matched by phone →Family lawyer
Divorce, child support, custody and residence, division of property, prenuptial agreements.
Matched by phone →Real estate lawyer
Purchase, Public Registry, boundary disputes, co-ownership, leases, construction permits.
Matched by phone →Corporate lawyer
Company registration, shareholder agreements, share transfers, corporate disputes, M&A.
Matched by phone →Tax lawyer
Tax audits, appealing assessments, tax disputes, structuring a business in Georgia.
Matched by phone →Administrative law lawyer
Challenging decisions of state bodies, fines, licences, public service matters.
Matched by phone →Inheritance lawyer
Accepting an inheritance, wills, the compulsory share, inheritance disputes, restoring deadlines.
Matched by phone →Immigration lawyer
Residence permits, citizenship, visas, appealing deportation, investor status.
Matched by phone →Banking and finance lawyer
Loan restructuring, mortgages, disputes with microfinance lenders, suspending enforcement.
Matched by phone →Intellectual property lawyer
Trademarks, copyright, patents, domain disputes, licensing agreements.
Matched by phone →Lawyer or attorney (advocate) - what the difference means in Georgia
In everyday English "lawyer" and "attorney" are interchangeable. In Georgia they describe two different legal statuses, and the difference decides whether your representative can walk into a courtroom at all.
A lawyer (jurist) in Georgia is anyone with a law degree. Jurists draft contracts, give consultations, handle company paperwork and prepare applications to state bodies. For many matters a competent jurist is entirely sufficient, and often cheaper.
An attorney (advocate) is a lawyer who has passed the Bar qualification exam, is a member of the Georgian Bar Association, and is bound by the Code of Professional Ethics and disciplinary liability. Defence in a criminal case and representation in the higher courts is, as a rule, reserved for advocates. An advocate is bound by legal professional privilege - what you tell them cannot be used against you, even in court.
Every profile on Coalition Legal is verified as a licensed advocate. If your matter will not go to court and you only need a document drafted or a consultation, we tell you so directly - we do not recommend spending more than you need to.
The best lawyers in Tbilisi - what "top-rated" means to us
"Best lawyer" is not a marketing phrase here. It is five measurable criteria applied equally to every profile. A place in the rating cannot be bought - a paid plan only affects how visible a profile is, never how it is scored.
How it works - three steps to your lawyer
No registration, no upfront payment. From describing your issue to speaking with a lawyer usually takes less than one working day.
Describe your issue
Fill in the form or call. Two sentences are enough - what happened and what you want. No documents needed at this stage.
Matching and free consultation
We call you back within 15 minutes, clarify the details and tell you whether the matter has legal merit. Then we select 1-3 specialised, English-speaking lawyers in your city or remotely.
Your lawyer and a clear fee
The lawyer contacts you, explains the strategy and the fee. If you decide to proceed, a written agreement is signed. If not, you owe nothing.
Legal consultation in Tbilisi and online - what it includes and what it costs
A legal consultation is the first and often the only step you need. Done properly, it gives you three answers: whether your matter has legal merit, which deadlines apply, and what the next stage will cost.
15-20 min, by phone or messengerQualifying the issue, checking deadlines, matching you with a lawyerFree
45-60 min, in the office or by videoDocument review, legal position, written action planOn the lawyer's profile
Court, negotiation, enforcementFull representation under a written agreement, stage-by-stage reportingIndividual agreement
What to bring to the consultation
- Every document related to the matter - contract, correspondence, receipts, letters from a court or state body (Georgian originals are fine, we translate what matters)
- A short timeline of events with dates
- A list of your questions, so nothing is forgotten
- Your passport, if a power of attorney will be issued
Online legal consultation
By phone, WhatsApp, Telegram or video call - for clients in the regions or abroad, the online format is often the only practical option. Documents are sent as photos or PDFs. For court representation the lawyer needs a notarised power of attorney, which can also be issued from abroad through a Georgian consulate or with an apostille.
Legal calculators - get the number before you see a lawyer
The three questions asked most often in consultations, answered with a figure. Rates come from the current wording of Georgian law and are dated. Results are indicative and do not replace a lawyer's calculation.
Court fee calculator
What it costs to file a claim in Georgia: 3% of the claim value at first instance, more on appeal and cassation. Enter the amount, see the fee for all three instances.
Open calculator →Severance pay calculator
What you are owed when the employer terminates: 1 or 2 months' salary depending on the notice period, unused leave, outstanding wages.
Open calculator →Appeal deadline calculator
Counts the last day from the date the judgment was served: 14 days for an appeal, 21 days for cassation in civil cases. Missing the deadline means losing the right.
Open calculator →What to do if... - step-by-step guides from lawyers
Instead of a blog: practical instructions for a specific situation - what to do in the first hours, which documents to collect, which deadline applies and when it no longer makes sense to continue without a lawyer. Each guide is reviewed by a specialised lawyer and dated.
What to do if you are detained in Georgia
Your rights in the first 48 hours, what not to say without a lawyer, how to reach your family, your embassy and a lawyer.
Read →How to recover a debt
From the claim letter to a court order: evidence, limitation periods, freezing assets, enforcement.
Read →Divorce in Georgia step by step
Registry office or court, child support, the child's residence, division of property, cross-border cases.
Read →Unlawful dismissal - what to do
What counts as unlawful dismissal, the 30-day deadline, reinstatement or compensation.
Read →Residence permit in Georgia
Types, documents, timelines, appealing a refusal - for the foreigner and for their lawyer.
Read →Before buying an apartment - what to check
Public Registry extract, liens and mortgages, construction permit, the risks of a preliminary agreement.
Read →Georgian legal terms explained simply - a glossary for clients
Your lawyer will use these words. In the glossary each term is explained in one paragraph, with an example and a reference to the article of law.
- Pre-trial measure
- The measure a court imposes on the accused until the verdict - custody, bail, an undertaking not to leave. Decided within 48 hours of detention.
- Limitation period
- The time within which you can bring a claim to court. General - 10 years, contractual - 3 years. After it expires the defendant can refuse to perform.
- Plea agreement
- An agreement between the accused and the prosecutor: admission of guilt in exchange for a reduced sentence. Approved by the court. Never concluded without a lawyer.
- Interim measures
- A temporary court order so the defendant cannot dispose of assets before the case is decided - freezing, injunction. Requested together with the claim.
- Compulsory share
- The part of an estate that children, parents and the spouse receive regardless of the will - half of what they would inherit by law.
- Power of attorney
- A notarised document authorising a lawyer or another person to act on your behalf. Required for court representation; can be issued abroad with an apostille.
- Bail
- Money or real estate deposited with the court instead of custody, as a guarantee that the accused will appear. The minimum amount is set by law.
- Cassation appeal
- An appeal to the Supreme Court against a Court of Appeals judgment. Only errors of law are reviewed, no new evidence is admitted. Deadline - 21 days.
A lawyer in your city
Our office is in Tbilisi, but we work nationwide. Where we do not yet have a local lawyer, we offer a remote consultation or a lawyer who travels to hearings in the region.
Free legal consultation with a lawyer
Describe your situation in a few sentences, in English. We reply within 15 minutes, match you with a specialised lawyer and tell you which deadlines apply and what it will cost. No obligation.
568 330 318- WhatsApp and Telegram on the same number
- თბილისი, [ქუჩა, ნომერი]
- ორშ–პარ 10:00–19:00 (Tbilisi time, GMT+4)
- Emergency (detention) - call at any time
Frequently asked questions about lawyers and legal consultation in Georgia
The answers are general and do not replace a consultation on your specific case.
How much does a lawyer cost in Tbilisi?
The initial consultation on Coalition Legal is free - in 15-20 minutes we identify the field of law, the deadlines and the right lawyer for your matter. The fee for a full consultation is published on each lawyer's profile in advance and does not change before the meeting. The cost of handling a case is agreed individually in a written agreement. Georgian legal fees are generally well below Western European or US levels.
Is the free legal consultation really free, or is there a catch?
There is no catch. In the initial consultation you describe the situation and we tell you whether it has legal merit, which documents you will need and what the next step is. If you do not need a lawyer, we say so directly. You take on no obligation.
Do I need an English-speaking lawyer, or can I use a translator?
A translator helps with conversation, but not with strategy. A lawyer who works in English understands your instructions directly, explains Georgian procedure in terms you know, and drafts correspondence you can actually read. All lawyers marked as English-speaking on the platform have been assessed for working-level English, not just a line on a CV.
What is the difference between a lawyer and an advocate in Georgia?
A lawyer (jurist) is anyone with a law degree. An advocate is a lawyer who has passed the Bar exam, is a member of the Georgian Bar Association and is bound by its code of ethics. Defence in criminal cases and representation in the higher courts is, as a rule, reserved for advocates. Every profile on Coalition Legal is verified as a licensed advocate.
How can I check that a lawyer is really licensed?
The Georgian Bar Association publishes a public register of advocates on its website (gba.ge) - you can search by name or certificate number. On our platform every profile shows the certificate number and the date of verification, so you can check it yourself.
I am a foreigner and have been detained in Georgia. What should I do?
Ask for a lawyer immediately and do not give a statement until the lawyer arrives - that is your right. Ask that your embassy or consulate be informed. The detention hearing takes place within 48 hours, and that hearing decides whether you stay in custody until trial. Call us at any time; we send an English-speaking criminal lawyer to the police station or the court.
Can I change my lawyer while the case is ongoing?
Yes, at any stage. The relationship with a lawyer is built on trust, and the law gives you the right to change your representative at any time. The new lawyer receives the case file and continues the work. If something does not work out with a lawyer matched through the platform, call us - we will find an alternative.
How long does a civil case take in a Georgian court?
By law, a court of first instance must hear a case within 2 months, or up to 5 months for particularly complex cases. In practice the timing depends on the complexity, the parties' activity and the court's workload. With appeal and cassation stages the whole process can take 1-2 years. Many matters are settled before trial, at the claim letter and negotiation stage.
Can you help if I am not in Georgia?
Yes. Most matters - property purchases, company registration, residence permits, debt recovery, inheritance - can be handled remotely with a notarised power of attorney issued at a Georgian consulate or apostilled in your country. Consultations take place by video call in your time zone.
What does "top-rated lawyers" mean and how is the rating made?
It is not an advertising phrase but five measurable criteria: active status in the Bar register, depth of specialisation, experience by court instance, verified client reviews and quality of communication. A place in the rating cannot be bought. The full methodology is published on the site.
Is my information confidential?
Yes. Information sent through the form is seen only by the Coalition Legal coordinator and the lawyer we connect you with, with your consent. Advocates are bound by legal professional privilege, which also covers the first consultation, whether or not they take the case.
What should I bring to the first meeting with a lawyer?
Every document related to the matter: contracts, correspondence, payment receipts, letters from a court or state body, your passport. A short timeline of events with dates and a list of questions helps. The more complete the picture, the more precise the answer at the very first consultation.
Need a lawyer in Georgia? Start with a free consultation
Criminal, civil, employment, family, immigration or business matter - within 15 minutes we tell you which lawyer you need and what it will cost.