Translated by IRIS Georgia Updated as of March 2004 2. No public official shall participate in administrative proceeding, if he has any private interest or there is any other circumstance that may affect decision-making process. Article 9. The right to legitimate trust 1. An administrative agency shall protect a person’s right to legitimate trust. 2. Legitimate trust of a person shall be grounded on any written document issued by an administrative agency or its official, which provides that a given action will be performed without requiring any further consent of the administrative agency. Legitimate trust shall not be invoked if due to amendment of an applicable normative act the person fails to fulfill statutory requirements. 3. Legitimate trust may not be invoked if it is based upon an illegal action committed by an interested party. 4. An illegal promise made by an administrative agency may not be invoked as the ground for legitimate trust. Article 10. Openness 1. Everyone may gain access to official documents kept by an administrative agency, and obtain a copy thereof, unless such documents contain state, professional, commercial, or private secrets. 2. The procedures for gaining access to and obtaining copies of the public information kept by an administrative agency are prescribed by Chapter 3 of this Code. 3. An administrative agency shall ensure open and public hearing of any issue in cases prescribed by law. Article 11. Secrecy A public servant involved in an administrative proceeding shall not disclose or use for unofficial purposes any secret information that was obtained or created during the administrative proceeding. A person shall be held liable for disclosure or use of such information according to applicable legislation. Such prohibition shall not serve as grounds for refusal to perform duties under Article 10 of the Code. Article 12. The right to apply to an administrative agency 1. A person may apply to an administrative agency to solve the matters that fall within the area of responsibility of the agency and directly affect the applicant’s rights and legal interests. 2. Unless otherwise prescribed by law, an administrative agency shall review the application pertaining to the matter that falls within the area of its responsibility, and render an appropriate decision. Article 13. The right to be heard Page 6 of 54