In brief
During the General Assembly of Judges in Sofia, Maria Terziyska, a candidate for the Supreme Judicial Council, called for a comprehensive review of the Council’s secondary legislation. She emphasized the need for updated rules on court staff, administration, and judges’ ethical conduct amid growing public scrutiny of judicial integrity.
At the 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, announced that reforming the Council’s secondary legislation should be a top priority for its next composition.
Terziyska, who has spent years presiding over cases in Varna, explained that the existing secondary statutes governing the status of court staff and the administration of courts are outdated and lack the clarity needed for an efficient judiciary. She argued that the next Council should focus on establishing a coherent framework that gives the SJC a clearer vision of its role and enhances the active participation of judges in governance.
She said:
"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 added that changes are required in the ethical rules that govern the conduct of Bulgarian judges, noting that public calls for the professional integrity of certain judges and prosecutors have become increasingly frequent. She believes that a systematic revision of these regulations will help restore public trust and improve the overall effectiveness of the judicial system.
“Motivated by my experience on the bench,” Terziyska said, “I aim to contribute to building an effectively functioning SJC.” Her proposal includes drafting new secondary legislation that clarifies the status and responsibilities of court staff, outlines procedures for court administration, and updates ethical codes to reflect contemporary expectations of judicial conduct.
The General Assembly, which convened to elect representatives to the SJC, also provided a forum for other candidates to present their visions for the Council’s future. Terziyska’s remarks sparked discussion among her peers, many of whom have expressed similar concerns about the need for modernization.
As the SJC prepares for its upcoming term, the debate over regulatory reform is likely to intensify. Terziyska’s call for comprehensive updates to secondary legislation underscores a broader movement within Bulgaria’s judiciary to enhance transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the legal system.
