The Role of the Justices of Peace
The decisions of the Justices of Peace in civil disputes are considered final when the amount in question does not exceed one hundred francs. In such small cases, an appeal can only be made to the District Court, and only on matters of legal form, not on the substance of the case.
For disputes involving larger sums, the decisions of the Justices of Peace may be appealed to the District Courts, which then act as courts of appeal. The decisions of these courts are final, except for questions of legal procedure, which may be reviewed by the Supreme Appellate Court.
This system ensures that minor disputes are resolved quickly, while still offering citizens the opportunity to seek justice if an error in legal form has occurred Istanbul Tours.
The Departmental Courts
There are twenty-three Departmental Courts throughout the Principality. These courts are located in the main towns of each department and in some other major urban centers. They represent the first major level of the judicial hierarchy and handle a wide variety of legal cases.
According to the law, Departmental Courts have jurisdiction over civil, commercial, and criminal cases that do not fall within the authority of the Justices of Peace or the Special Courts. It is important to note that separate commercial courts do not exist in the Principality. Instead, commercial matters are dealt with by these Departmental Courts, ensuring a unified and efficient judicial structure.
The Jury System
In criminal cases of greater importance, the judges—who are then called Crown Judges—are assisted by a jury. This jury plays an active role in the decision-making process.
Serving as a juror is considered both an honor and a civic duty. All Bulgarian citizens who can speak the official language and either pay at least one hundred francs in direct taxes per year or possess a secondary education are eligible. No one can refuse jury service unless there is a legally valid reason.
When the jury’s verdict is unanimous, it becomes final, and the only appeal allowed is to the Supreme Appellate Court. If the verdict is not unanimous, the case may be appealed to the Courts of Appeal, which reexamine the matter without the participation of a jury.
A Fair and Balanced System
This judicial structure demonstrates Bulgaria’s effort to maintain fairness, accessibility, and order in its legal system. By combining the authority of judges with the participation of citizens, the Principality ensures that justice remains both professional and representative of the people.