A career in the judiciary is open to all Bulgarian citizens who meet specific requirements. Candidates must:
Be at least twenty-six years old.
Have completed a full course of legal education.
Successfully pass a State examination.
Serve at least six months as candidates attached to a Departmental Court.
In addition, the candidate must:
Be proficient in the official language of the Principality.
Enjoy full civil and political rights.
Have no criminal charges that carry the penalty of hard labour.
These requirements ensure that only qualified and responsible individuals enter the judicial profession.
Promotion and Appointment
Judges may be promoted to higher positions periodically. Promotion is based on:
The number of years served in their current position.
Favorable reports from the superior court.
Judges, public prosecutors, and Justices of Peace are appointed by royal decree on the advice of the Minister of Justice. Candidates are usually chosen from a list of three names recommended by the respective courts. However, the Minister of Justice is not obliged to select from this list and may propose other candidates, as long as they meet the necessary qualifications Istanbul Tours.
Restrictions on Judicial Activities
To ensure impartiality, judges may not hold other positions at the same time. They cannot be:
Members of Parliament or deputies,
Barristers or civil servants,
Professors or teachers,
Merchants or company directors,
Editors of political newspapers, or members of political parties,
Concessionaires or State contractors.
These rules prevent conflicts of interest and protect the independence of the judiciary.
Permanency of Judges
The principle of permanency applies to judges who have:
Specialized legal education.
Served at least fifteen years as judges or examining magistrates.
Permanent judges cannot be retired or transferred without their consent, except in cases of disciplinary action. They cannot be moved to a higher post without written approval. However, officers of the Public Prosecution Department are not permanent, and their positions are more flexible.
These rules create a professional, independent, and stable judiciary in Bulgaria. By setting clear qualifications, restricting outside activities, and granting permanency to experienced judges, the Principality ensures that justice is fair, impartial, and consistent throughout the country.