What Article 268¹ governs
Article 268¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia defines the procedure for serving decisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on an administrative case, penalty notices and decisions connected with a complaint, as well as other documents — and, most importantly in practice, the conditions for the 20 percent reduction of a fine. The norm contains no sanction; it is the instrument for using the discount correctly and in time.
How the 20 percent discount works
The rule is this: where the violator receives information about the decision or the penalty notice on the case — by short text message or through the official website of the Ministry — and pays the fine within 10 calendar days thereafter, the amount of the fine is reduced by 20 percent. If the fine is not paid within that period, the violator loses the right to use the discount. Ten calendar days is thus the window within which payment is clearly advantageous.
Note also the limits of the discount: it does not extend to the execution of a decision received in connection with a complaint — where a case is at the complaint stage and the decision has changed, payment under the new terms is no longer covered by the discount.
The information procedure
Where a case is examined on the spot, the violator is immediately given a copy of the penalty notice or the decision; upon refusal to receive it, that is noted in the document and the copy is deemed served. Where the case is not examined on the spot, the Ministry sends information by short text message or by another technical means — if the person's contact details exist in its database; at the same time, the copy of the decision or notice is published on the Ministry's official website. After 10 days the copy is sent or handed over according to the place of registration. Where service by post fails or is impossible, the decision is deemed served on the 30th day from publication on the website.
Details of service you should know
A document is deemed served where it is received by the person or by an able-bodied family member living with him at his address. Upon refusal, the delivering person makes a note, and that too counts as service. These details matter for the counting of periods: the 10-day window runs precisely from receipt of the information, and it is therefore best to watch both SMS messages and the Ministry's website.
Practical tips and how we can help
Three practical steps: first, upon receiving the message or the notice, note down immediately the date from which the 10-day window starts; second, make the payment in the middle of the window, not on the last day; third, keep the payment document. If the period has been missed and a surcharge imposed, or if the service procedure appears breached — consult a lawyer: a breach of the service procedure often raises the question of restoring the discount. The team of legal.ge will assess your situation and assist both with counting the periods and with an appeal.
How to build the right plan of conduct
First and foremost: decide whether you agree with the fine. If you do, paying with the 20 percent discount is the simplest and most advantageous path — act within the 10-day window. If you do not, bear in mind that payment with the discount does not cancel the right to complain, but the execution of a decision changed as a result of a complaint is no longer subject to the discount. It is therefore best to calculate both paths from the very beginning.
Second: if no information reached you — neither a message nor anything on the website — a breach of the service procedure may be a question of recalculating the periods. A lawyer's involvement here creates a reasoned position.
And third: remember the exclusion — the discount does not cover decisions at the complaint stage. These three steps together give the picture our team assembles with you at a consultation.
Correct management of time in these matters is half the decision — and that half is available for building from the very first day.