The Road Safety Institute has serious concerns about the practices of the Center for Urban Mobility (CGM). According to the information gathered, although the CGM has its own lawyers who work on an employment contract and have the right to place brackets within the framework of their administrative functions, when disputes arise, citizens are forced to deal with external law firms hired by CGM.
The Road Safety Institute team has investigated and found that until 2023, CGM was usually represented by its own legal advisers, and this was confirmed by a number of court documents. The introduction of external lawyers is seen as an attempt to intimidate citizens and their organizations into refraining from defending their rights for fear that legal costs could reach up to 30 times the amount of the bracket imposed.
According to the effective tariff of the Supreme Bar Council, the minimum remuneration in cases related to Coercive administrative measures, such as those for the placed braces, is BGN 1,000. This practice not only harms the citizens, but also leads to significant losses for the budget of the Central Government. In cases where the placed bracket is canceled, the company has no right to claim reimbursement of the incurred expenses, which can reach up to BGN 2,000. If the annulment is upheld by the Supreme Administrative Court, CGM risks further losses and potential lawsuits for compensation.
The Road Safety Institute insists on an audit of the practices of the CGM and on the responsibility of the officials who spend public funds to the detriment of the citizens and the municipality. They also propose to create an opportunity for citizens to file objections against the actions of CGM, which would reduce litigation and improve the company's public image.