site.btaParliament Passes Conclusively Revisions to Judicial System Act

Sofia, July 27 (BTA) - Parliament passed conclusively on Thursday revisions to the Judicial System Act tabled by MPs from the governing majority.

As GERB said on Tuesday, the opportunity for external financing for professional organizations of judges, prosecutors, investigators and court clerks remains after second reading. Initially, the revisions provided for financing to be provided only from membership fees, property contributions and donations of their members. They caused an outrage among NGOs and were slammed by tens of organizations, including the union of judges, of lawyers and of prosecutors.

The revisions specify the ban on commercial activity of magistrates. While they are on such positions judges, prosecutors and investigating magistrates may receive remuneration for research and educational activity, or from copyright, as well as for participating in European and international programmes and projects, and in the drafting of statutory instruments commissioned by the National Assembly, the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) or the executive authorities.

The amendments provide for an opportunity the elected members of the SJC and the inspectors in the SJC Inspectorate to be restored to the position they held before their election, or to one of equal rank, in judicial authorities.

Magistrates will be removed from office in any case of charges for grave premeditated crimes, but the guarantees related to the temporary character of such removal and the reception of minimum wage for the period of this measure remains.

All magistrates, not only the newly-appointed ones, shall submit declarations revealing their activities and memberships, the aim being to guarantee the in dependence and equality of the magistrates. This should be done within 30 days after the revisions become effective.

A Partnership Council is established with SJC. It will include representatives of all professional organisations whose membership is more than 5 per cent of the respective number of judges, prosecutors and investigating magistrates. Representation of magistrates who are not members of such organisations is also guaranteed.