The Scope of the Civil Service
Georgia has a unified civil service model that does not differentiate between state bodies and local self-government. Public administration, as a function, regardless of the branch of government exercising it, falls within the framework of a unified system.
The civil service is an integral part of the state service, encompassing all three branches of government - legislative, executive, and judicial - along with local self-government bodies and legal entities of public law.
Notably, the scope of the Law of Georgia on Public Service applies to legal entities of public law, excluding those engaged in cultural, educational, scientific, research, sports, religious, and membership-based activities, as defined by this Law and the Law of Georgia on Legal Entities of Public Law.
However, a transitional period has been established for legal entities of public law (except for certain exceptions) until January 1, 2025. During this period, the law of Georgia on Public Service does not apply to these entities, except for provisions regulating competition and internships (subparagraphs "m" and "n" of Article 3, paragraph 6 of Article 34, Articles 35, 36 and 39-43, paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 of Article 841, subparagraphs "a"-"c" of paragraph 5 and paragraphs 6 and 61, and Article 842). In addition to these exceptions, labor-related matters in legal entities of public law (excluding those covered by the Law of Georgia on Remuneration in Public Institutions) are regulated by the labor legislation of Georgia.
In the unified civil service system, civil service is performed by individuals granted the status of a public servant. The Law of Georgia on Public Service defines the status of a public servant, outlines the conditions of employment and service for professional civil servants, addresses matters related to civil service management, and regulates the legal relationships of public servants in state, autonomous republic, municipal bodies (institutions), and legal entities of public law (the Law on Public Service does not apply to the latter during the transitional period).
The status of a public servant includes three categories: professional civil servant, individuals employed under administrative contracts, and individuals employed under labor contracts. Among these, the status of a professional civil servant is particularly noteworthy, as the primary focus of the regulatory framework of the Law of Georgia on Public Service is on determining of the procedures for hiring professional civil servants, managing their service periods, establishing legal and social protection guarantees, and implementing disciplinary proceedings.
For individuals employed under administrative or labor contracts, the Law of Georgia on Public Service applies only in cases directly provided for by the law.
State servants, however, are not covered by the scope of the Law of Georgia on Public Service.
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