- The premises of the Sofia Regional Court are a shocking miserable picture: some court “halls” are as big as a train compartment. Lawyers are expected to study files in spaces not bigger than a train toilette. Three or four judges share a single room as their cabinet. The small five story building has just one ancient lift reserved for staff. Hundreds if not thousands, climb every day the single narrow staircase which would better fit a small ship. About 10 court secretaries share one room where they have to process court papers after hearing. Interior and furniture date back to the 1970-s. It all smells neglect and despair.
- It should be recalled that these premises are the legacy of the communist regime surviving it by 20 years. There is still living memory how this biggest regional court of Bulgaria was kicked out from the palace of justice in 1979 (30 years ago) to appease the ambitions of the late communist dictator’s daughter (super minister of culture) to transform the palace into a national museum. Exactly in the week when that relocation was rushed two regional judges and one prosecutor were arrested for corruption- to manipulate the public that judicial criminals did not deserve a better professional accommodation. Soon after the building was set on fire one night and a mentally unstable man turned to be the convenient criminal. Lawyers used to joke recalling the Daughter’s personal motto: “Think of me as a fire”. At that time the “train” carried 49 court panels, today they exceed 100.
- To be fair, all other jurisdictions in the capital Sofia- Supreme courts, Appeal court and Sofia city court enjoy descent institutional premises though not spacey enough for the ever growing job.
- In the current financial crisis much is being talked about government infrastructure projects to fight unemployment and bring economic recovery. There can hardly be a greater urgency than a new comfortable and adequate home for the Sofia Regional Court- in a country that is a EU and NATO member. Billions of public money have been abused in the transition years- there should be some left for a court building. Foreign support should also be possible.
- He who humiliates justice in fact humiliates his own self.
January 2009
Braykov’s Legal Office