In brief
At the Sofia General Assembly of Judges on 31 October 2026, Maria Terziyska, a candidate for the Supreme Judicial Council, said revising the council’s secondary legislation should be a top priority. She highlighted the need for new rules on court staff status, administration and judges’ ethical conduct, arguing that clear, updated guidelines would boost effectiveness and restore confidence in the judiciary. Candidate Krasimira Doneva also pushed for transparent appointments and accountability, underscoring the broader push for reforms.
During the Sofia General Assembly of Judges on 31 October 2026, Maria Terziyska, a candidate for the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) and Deputy Chair of the Varna Regional Court, urged the council to prioritise revising its secondary legislation.
Terziyska says the rules that govern court staff status and administration are outdated and that judges need clearer ethical guidelines. She believes modernising these rules will help the SJC run more effectively and help the public see the judiciary as honest and reliable.
"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. She added that reforms are needed amid frequent public calls to examine the integrity of judges and prosecutors.
The candidate’s focus on updated regulations echoes wider calls for change. Other SJC candidates, such as Krasimira Doneva of the Burgas District Court, have highlighted the need for transparent personnel decisions, measurable competition criteria and stronger accountability. Doneva proposes clearer competition rules, better protection against undue pressure, and a single, predictable disciplinary procedure.
Both Terziyska and Doneva see a modernised SJC as key to restoring trust. Meanwhile, the new council will face the challenge of translating these reform ideas into concrete policies that can be applied across Bulgaria’s court system.
