The Bar Association in Kyustendil announced an effective protest and will stop working with the legal aid system from June 1.
The Bar Association decided to announce, as of June 1, 2025, an effective protest by stopping work with the legal aid system and the appointment of official defenders, reserve defenders, duty lawyers and special representatives in all cases, as the Bulgarian state continues to not respect the legal profession as an equal partner in the provision of legal aid, writes BNR.
This is stated in the decision sent to the courts in Kyustendil and Dupnitsa, to the District and Regional Prosecutor's Offices and to the Regional Police Directorate.
The decision was made by 7 members of the Bar Council, five of whom are lawyers from Dupnitsa. Mostly older people and retirees are public defenders. The fees for appearing in cases are almost symbolic, and they are not paid on time, people from the guild comment.