---
title: "Student Discipline Procedures"
url: "https://legal.ge/en/service/education-law-en/student-discipline-procedures-en"
field: "Education Law"
description: "Student disciplinary procedures under Article 43: attendance, defence, evidence, burden of proof on the accuser and court appeal. Legal.ge."
reviewed: "2026-07-09"
updated: "2026-10-15"
publisher: "legal.ge"
---

# Student Discipline Procedures

> Source: legal.ge, https://legal.ge/en/service/education-law-en/student-discipline-procedures-en

Student disciplinary procedures in Georgian higher education are governed by paragraphs 7, 8, 9 and 10 of Article 43 of the Law on Higher Education. This page is devoted precisely to procedural guarantees — the rules that a higher education institution must observe in every disciplinary proceeding. The substantive question — what counts as a violation and what sanction may be applied — is defined by the institution's charter and code of ethics, but the procedural standard is set by the law itself and cannot be narrowed by the charter.

## When disciplinary proceedings begin, and what they must not cost the student

Paragraph 8 of Article 43 establishes two fundamental rules. First: the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against a student must not restrict the student's right to participate in the study process — exclusion from studies is permissible only where it endangers the protection of others' rights, health, the institution's property and safety, and where those cases are provided for by the charter and internal rules. Second: the question is decided by the higher education institution, whose charter determines the organ authorised to adopt the decision.

Procedurally this means that until the accusation is proven, the student continues studying. Temporary restriction is possible only in defined, safety-related cases. If the institution removes a student from the study process immediately upon initiation, without any threat existing, this directly contradicts the law and constitutes a ground for appeal.

The full text is available on legal.ge after signing in: https://legal.ge/en/service/education-law-en/student-discipline-procedures-en

### What regulates student disciplinary procedures?

Article 43 of the Law on Higher Education: proceedings must be proportionate to the offence, conducted through a fair procedure and only in the cases provided for by the charter.

### Who bears the burden of proof?

The accusing party. The decision must rest on evidence obtained under the procedure established by legislation and the charter, and every piece of evidence must be examined by the institution's organ.

### Can a student be removed from studies before a finding?

No — initiation of proceedings does not restrict participation in the study process, except in safety-related cases provided for by the charter and internal rules.

### How is a decision challenged?

Under paragraph 11 of Article 43 the student may challenge in court any decision adopted by the institution in respect of that student.