In brief
At a Sofia General Assembly, Maria Terziyska, a candidate for Supreme Judicial Council, emphasized the need to revise the council’s secondary laws governing court staff status, administration, and judge conduct. She cited growing public concerns over judicial integrity and urged the next council to adopt clear, rigorous rules to restore trust. The proposed changes remain unadopted, and it is unclear whether the council will act on the recommendations.
During the 2026 General Assembly of Judges held at the Sofia Event Center on October 31, 2026, Maria Terziyska—a candidate for a seat on the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and Deputy Chair of the Varna Regional Court—argued that updating the council’s secondary legislation should be a top priority for its next composition.
Terziyska said she was motivated to bring her experience as a judge to help the SJC become an “effectively functioning” body. She maintained that a clear vision of the council’s role and active participation of judges are essential for meaningful reform.
She focused on two main areas for overhaul. First, the regime controlling the status of court staff and the administration of courts should be revised. Second, she called for changes in the ethical rules that govern how Bulgarian magistrates conduct themselves, noting a rise in public calls for the integrity of certain judges and prosecutors to be examined.
"As a judge, I always strive to apply the law correctly and fairly and to observe the principles of ethical conduct for magistrates. I maintain that professional integrity is an essential and necessary part of quality justice," Terziyska said.
The candidate highlighted that the current secondary legislation does not adequately address evolving expectations for judicial ethics. In her view, clearer standards would improve the SJC’s effectiveness and help restore public confidence in the nation’s courts.
Terziyska’s remarks were made during a session where the General Assembly was electing its representatives to the SJC. The meeting, covered by BTA, highlighted the council’s membership process and the high stakes of its upcoming work.
There is no indication yet that the proposed statutory changes will be adopted before the next council session. The current SJC’s composition has not released a formal plan for revising its secondary laws, and it remains uncertain whether other council members share the urgency raised by Terziyska.
In the broader context, public scrutiny of judicial conduct has intensified in recent months. Dissatisfaction with perceived partiality has led to increased calls for transparency and stricter enforcement of ethical norms.
Whether the SJC will act on Terziyska’s proposals, and if so, how quickly, remains unresolved. No official statement from the council acknowledges a specific timetable for updating the secondary legislation. The extent to which Terziyska’s proposals will influence future policy debates is not yet clear.
