In short
A dispute with a developer in Georgia, over defects, a smaller flat than agreed or a refused refund, starts with a written claim. If that fails, you can try voluntary mediation under the 2019 law. After that a Georgian court or an arbitral tribunal decides, depending on the clause in your contract. A final judgment is enforced by the National Bureau of Enforcement.
The four stagesA Georgian judgment has no automatic effect in Germany or the UK. An arbitral award is easier to enforce abroad.
Law and jurisdictionThe route
Not every case needs every stage. Many disputes end after a well-documented claim or in mediation.
Describe the defect or shortfall, back it up with photos, measurements or a surveyor's report, and say what you want: repair, a price reduction or a refund. Set a deadline and send the letter with proof of delivery.
Georgia's Law on Mediation has largely applied since 1 January 2020. Taking part is voluntary in principle, and either side can withdraw at any stage. A court will make a settlement from private mediation enforceable on application. A court can also refer a pending case to a mediator.
If your contract has an arbitration clause, an arbitral tribunal normally decides. Without one, a Georgian civil court has jurisdiction; which one follows from the Civil Procedure Code and any jurisdiction clause in the contract. Proceedings are in Georgian, so documents need translating.
A final judgment, or an arbitral award for which a court has ordered enforcement, is enforced by the National Bureau of Enforcement, part of the Ministry of Justice, for example by attaching the developer's bank accounts or property.
A German court recognises a Georgian judgment under § 328 of the Code of Civil Procedure only if, among other things, reciprocity is assured. We have found no bilateral treaty on the recognition of civil judgments, and Georgia is not party to the 2019 Hague Judgments Convention.
Georgia acceded to the New York Convention on arbitral awards in 1994; Germany has been a party since 1961 and the UK is a party too. An award can therefore be enforced in each country under the same rules.
Law and jurisdiction
The answers decide which routes are open and what they cost. This page is not legal advice for your case.
The Law on the Protection of Consumer Rights has applied since 1 June 2022 to contracts between traders and consumers. It does not expressly exclude property, but defines goods as movable things. Whether its rules cover buying a new-build flat is not settled.
The Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency investigates where a trader breaches the rights of a group of consumers, and has done so since 1 November 2022. Your own claim for money or repairs goes to court, and the law states expressly that this route stays open to you.
Read the clauses on jurisdiction, arbitration and governing law. An arbitration clause generally rules out the state courts. An agreed mediation procedure may have to be tried before you can sue.
Prove the floor area with a measurement, defects with a surveyor's report and payments with bank statements. The handover record and the registry extract showing the registered area carry particular weight.
Weigh legal, translation and surveyor's fees against the amount at stake. For small shortfalls, a settlement in mediation often makes more financial sense than a judgment.
Frequently asked questions
Lawsuits, defects, consumer protection and what a judgment is worth abroad.
Yes, in the Georgian civil courts or, if your contract has an arbitration clause, before an arbitral tribunal. A written claim with a deadline and an attempt at mediation should come first.
Have the defects recorded at handover and documented by a surveyor. Ask the developer in writing to fix them by a deadline. If nothing happens, mediation and a claim in court follow.
That is not settled. The 2022 law does not expressly exclude property but describes goods as movable things. Your claim under the purchase contract and the Civil Code exists regardless.
No, it is voluntary in principle. A statute or your contract can require it in a particular case. A court can make a settlement enforceable on application.
Not automatically. A German court checks recognition under § 328 of the Code of Civil Procedure, including reciprocity; UK courts apply their own rules. For arbitral awards, the New York Convention applies in all three countries.
Last reviewed on November 3, 2026. Sources: Law of Georgia on Mediation of 18 September 2019, Arts. 1, 2, 3, 7, 13 and 19 (matsne.gov.ge), Law of Georgia on the Protection of Consumer Rights of 29 March 2022, Arts. 2, 4, 28, 30 and 39 (matsne.gov.ge); Georgian Competition and Consumer Agency (gcca.gov.ge), National Bureau of Enforcement (nbe.gov.ge), German Code of Civil Procedure (ZPO), § 328 (gesetze-im-internet.de), HCCH status table for the Convention of 2 July 2019 (hcch.net); UNCITRAL status table for the 1958 New York Convention (uncitral.un.org). This guide is not legal or tax advice.
Read next
How to record defects at handover, what applies when a project is late and how to check a developer before you buy.
A well-documented case is the best basis for any settlement and for any court.