The law organs of the Principality are organized into several levels. These include the Justices of Peace, Departmental Courts, Courts of Appeal, and the Supreme Appellate Court. Together, these institutions form the backbone of the country’s judicial system and ensure that justice is delivered efficiently and fairly across all regions.
Before the law of January 12th, 1904, there was another type of local court known as the communal court. Each village had one of these courts to deal with minor disputes among villagers. They handled civil cases up to fifty francs and criminal cases up to twenty-five francs.
These communal courts were simple in structure. The mayor acted as the president, and two municipal councillors served as assistant judges. Their purpose was to resolve small local matters quickly and to maintain order within the village Customized Guided Tour.
However, in 1904, the government abolished the communal courts. Their responsibilities and jurisdiction were transferred to the Justices of Peace, creating a more unified and professional judicial system.
The Justices of Peace
The Justices of Peace now play a central role in the country’s legal framework. There are 115 Justices of Peace who operate in the main towns of each district. In larger and more populated cities, several Justices of Peace may serve together. For example, the capital city Sofia has five Justices of Peace, each responsible for a different part of the city.
Jurisdiction and Duties
The powers of the Justices of Peace are clearly defined by the law of December 15th, 1891, on Civil Procedure (Articles 15–22). They handle civil and commercial disputes involving amounts up to 1,000 francs. They also deal with property disputes when the value does not exceed this limit and with possessory claims—cases concerning the right to possess property—no matter the property’s value.
As police courts, the Justices of Peace are responsible for minor criminal offences. These include misdemeanours punishable by imprisonment of up to six months or fines up to five hundred francs.
Importance in Local Justice
The establishment of the Justices of Peace brought a sense of fairness and accessibility to the justice system. By replacing the informal communal courts, the Principality ensured that even small cases are judged by qualified legal officers, strengthening the rule of law throughout the nation.