In brief
At the October 31 general assembly, Krasimira Milachkova, a judge from Sofia’s Administrative Court, proposed a series of reforms for the Supreme Judicial Council aimed at modernizing court personnel processes, creating objective appraisal standards, and improving workload calculations. She also championed expanding e‑justice and increasing judicial self‑governance to strengthen public access to justice. The council’s members are expected to adopt these measures to bring clearer career paths and more efficient court operations.
At a July meeting in Sofia’s Event Center on Saturday, 31 October 2026, judge Krasimira Milachkova presented her plans for the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) during the General Assembly of Judges.
Milachkova, who serves on the Administrative Court of Sofia City, highlighted three core priorities for the council: modernising personnel procedures, establishing clear objective criteria for judges’ appraisal, and refining how workloads are measured.
She said the current system makes career advancement confusing and threatening transparency. By setting fixed standards for how performance is judged, she argues that judges will know what is needed to progress.
Milachkova also raised the need for a better workload measurement system. The current method, she explained, does not capture the true effort required to handle cases, which can discourage experienced judges from taking on complex work.
Another key issue she identified is the development of e‑justice. Milachkova notes that the court’s case‑management systems are fragmented and calls for a single, unified platform that links smooth case handling with accurate workload assessment.
Beyond internal reforms, Milachkova supports expanding judicial self‑governance and boosting communication between magistrates, the media and the public. She also advocates for more alternative dispute resolution mechanisms so people can settle disputes faster and outside regular courts.
Finally, the judge stressed that any changes to the judicial map must note local conditions to keep access to justice practical for citizens across the country.
With these proposals, Milachkova hopes the new SJC will create a clearer, more efficient judicial culture that serves both judges and the public alike.
