Bulgaria's Ombudsman Lodged Proposals for Legislative Changes

Bulgaria’s Ombudsperson, Maya Manolova, accompanied by civil society organizations, submitted proposals for changes to the Civil Procedure Code, seeking to deal with arbitrariness by Private enforcement agents, banks and monopolies.

The proposals were submitted to Bulgaria’s Parliament on 5^th of May.

Some of the proposed amendments suggest removing the possibility for fast obtaining of enforcement orders against debtors and giving a possibility to the debtors to object. The proposals also include considering a reduction in the fees collected by bailiffs.

"The number of complaints against private bailiffs received in the institution is enormous - only 536 for the first four months of the year," Manolova explained. Therefore, according to her, changes to the legislation and regulations are necessary as regards their excessive powers to obtain enforcement orders under the fast procedure. The draft she lodged will allow citizens to pay their debts without reaching an enforcement procedure where they are charged with more fees.