Magistrate

Romania's Social Democrat-dominated parliament on Thursday passed a controversial justice bill, despite warnings from many magistrates, civil society and diplomats that it will curb the independence of the court and could undermine the rule of law and the country's standing in Europe.

Thousands of people took to the streets across the country on Sunday in protest against the new justice bill proposed by the ruling Social Democrat Party.

As BIRN previously reported, magistrates, civil society, diplomats and the EU all warned the bill would curb the independence of the judicial system and could hurt the country's standing in Europe.

Romania has put the finishing touches to a plan to overhaul the judiciary that critics say erodes judicial independence and which will have to be discussed with the European Union, reported Reuters. 

When the scheme was first outlined in August, Brussels asked government for more details, expressing concern it may be a step backwards in the country's fight against corruption.

The new building of the Sofia District Court and the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office will be officially opened at 9:00 on September 18, 2017. Among the invited guests of the ceremony are the representatives of the legislative, executive and judiciary powers, reported BGNES.

The Supreme Judicial Council is preparing a 3 to 7% increase in magistrate salaries and judicial administration. The decision will be taken by the SJC Plenum on September 14, announced the "Legal World".

Romania's Justice Minister Tudorel Toader has vowed to push ahead with the adoption of a controversial justice reform package, despite street protests and sharp criticism from prosecutors, magistrates and Western embassies.

Experts say the changes pose a distinct risk to the independence of the justice system. However, Toader said on Wednesday he will not give up.

86% of Bulgarians say they do not know what the judicial reform is. Nearly half of them add that they are not interested. This shows a new national representative survey of the Median Agency conducted between July 12-18, 2017, among 1002 people at 125 points in the country, reported bTV.

The Bulgarian MPs approved at first reading amendments to the judiciary law concerning magistrates and their professional organisations, reported bTV.

The amendments tabled by the ruling majority were approved with 116 votes in favor, 6 against and 52 abstained and almost no debates.

A 38-year-old surgeon charged with the murder of a 36-year-old Georgian woman was remanded in custody Wednesday after appearing before an investigating magistrate in Thessaloniki.

The Supreme Administrative Court has instructed the Central Election Commission (CEC) to register the party of European deputy Nikolay Barekov for the upcoming snap elections on March 26 with the name he chooses himself.