The practice of the legal profession is reserved to Georgian citizens lawyers. However, other persons, including foreigners, can be equity partners in law firms. No shareholding limitation is provided for in the legislation. For the purposes of the OECD FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index, it is assumed that foreign persons can hold majority stakes.
On 29 May 2024, the Patent Attorney Law entered into force, restricting the practice of patent attorneys to Georgian citizens. The law introduces licensing and registration requirements for individuals wishing to practice as patent attorneys, overseen by the relevant national authority. While foreign nationals are barred from practicing, the law does not prohibit foreign ownership in firms providing patent-related services.
"Chapter I General provisions
Article 1. Subject matter and scope of the law
This law regulates the qualification requirements for a Georgian patent attorney, the legal relations related to the registration of a person and granting him the status of a Georgian patent attorney, as well as determines the basic principles, powers and obligations of the activities of a Georgian patent attorney, the principles and main goals of the establishment and activities of the Georgian Patent Attorneys Association.
Article 2. Definition of Terms
For the purposes of this Law, the terms used therein have the following meanings:
a) Patent Attorney of Georgia (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Attorney") – a person with general specialization and/or specialization in trademarks;
b) Patent attorney with general specialization – a citizen of Georgia who is registered in the Register of Patent Attorneys and carries out activities in the field of intellectual property in accordance with the legislation of Georgia;
c) Patent attorney specializing in trademarks – a citizen of Georgia who is registered in the Register of Patent Attorneys and, in accordance with the legislation of Georgia, carries out activities in the field of intellectual property in the field of trademarks, appellations of origin, geographical indications and designs;
[...]
Article 6. Patent Attorney
1. A patent attorney is a person with general specialization and/or specialization in trademarks.
2. A person has the right to become a patent attorney with general specialization if:
a) he/she is a citizen of Georgia;
b) He/She has a higher education in natural sciences or engineering - in the field/specialty of mathematics or construction, or in the field of statistics or production;
c) he/she has passed the qualification examination in accordance with the procedure established by this Law;
d) He/She has at least 1 year of experience working in the patent field or has completed a special training course.
3. A person has the right to become a patent attorney specializing in trademarks if:
a) he/she is a citizen of Georgia;
b) he/she has a higher education;
c) he/she has passed the qualification examination in accordance with the procedure established by this Law;
d) He/She has at least 1 year of experience working in the field of intellectual property (including intellectual law) or has completed a special training course.[...]" (Law of Georgia About Patent Attorneys, 4166-XIVMS-XMP, adopted 29 May 2024, Articles 1, 2, and 6 [google translation])
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"Chapter III.  Lawyer
Article 10. Requirements for a lawyer
1. A lawyer may be a citizen of Georgia who :
A ) has higher legal education ;
B) has passed the Bar Examination in accordance with the procedure established by this Law or has passed the Judicial / Prosecutor's Office qualification examination;
[...]
Chapter V. Organizing Lawyer Activities
Article 18 - Organizational-legal form of law practice
1. An advocate may, individually, together with other advocates or other persons, establish a law firm as a partnership or an entrepreneurial legal person provided for by the Law of Georgia on Entrepreneurs.
2. Information on the establishment of a law firm shall be submitted to the Executive Board of the Georgian Bar Association within 10 days of its establishment. The information should include the address of the law firm, the contact telephone and email address, the name of the lawyer / lawyers united in the law office, and the area of ​​law in which the lawyer / attorneys are / are engaged in law practice.
3. The rules and structure of the organization and work of the Law Bureau shall be determined by the Law Bureau. In dealing with the client on behalf of the Law Bureau, only the attorney exercises the representative powers. [...] (Law on Lawyers, June 20, 2001, amended [google translation])
Law of Georgia About Patent Attorneys, 4166-XIVMS-XMP, adopted 29 May 2024
Law on Lawyers, June 20, 2001, as amended
[<a href="https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/6162085?publication=0">Law</a>],[<a href="https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/15472?impose=original&publication=20">Law</a>]