site.btaJustice Reform Is Strategic Priority, Outgoing Justice Minister Slavov Says

Speaking at a debate related to the public consultation on the draft provisions to the Judicial System Act on Tuesday, outgoing Justice Minister Atanas Slavov said that the reform of the justice system is a strategic priority. The event was organized by the Justice Ministry and the Bulgarian Institute for Legal Initiatives (BILI), a civil society organization. The debate focused on the proposed structural and functional reforms in the judicial system.

Slavov noted that partnership between state institutions and civil society organizations is important in order to have a convincing legislative process. In this political environment, it is difficult to predict what will happen in the coming days, Slavov warned.

It was important to prepare the Act’s impact assessment, Slavov said.

Addressing the event, BILI Director Bilyana Gyaurova-Wegertseder stressed that Bulgaria’s legal landscape will change with the adoption of the draft amendments in the Constitution and the Judicial System Act. This is a challenge for people both inside and outside the judicial system.

This forum is important because the amendments are focused on regulating more situations described in the Constitution, as well as reshaping some traditional judicial structures. Thus, a new transformation of the system begins, Gyaurova-Wegertseder noted.

On Monday, the Justice Ministry officially published for public consultation the draft revisions to the Judicial System Act. The deadline for submitting comments, opinions, and recommendations expires in 20 days.