site.btaJustice Minister Zaharieva Meets with EU Ambassadors

Justice Minister Zaharieva Meets with EU Ambassadors

Sofia, October 11 (BTA) - Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva on Tuesday met with the ambassadors of the EU countries, her Ministry said.

She familiarized them with the steps implemented in judicial reform and their outcome. Following changes to the Judicial System Act in the last 10 months, mixed commissions for the promotion of magistrates have been set up. The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) is expected to pass secondary legislation that will allow the first competitions for judges and prosecutors to take place according to the new rules.

Zaharieva underscored the high expectations of the Inspectorate with the SJC after its powers were broadened. The first competition for the appointment of experts with the Inspectorate is underway.

The Justice Minister informed the EU ambassadors of the legislative proposals for changes to the Code of Criminal Procedure, aiming to speed up criminal proceedings, expand the scope of summary proceedings and of persons who may seek summary proceedings, introduce a conference interview of an expert and an obligation for first instance courts to set a deadline to produce the reasoning for a sentence.