The Bulgarian legislative body undertook significant procedural reforms that fundamentally change the way judicial expertise is conducted. The deputies adopted key modifications to the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) on second reading, which expand the possibilities for remote expert interrogations.
The new rules allow interrogation of an expert witness via video conference or telephone conference under specific conditions. Legislators defined precise circumstances for applying the remote format: when there are objective reasons preventing the physical presence of the expert, or when the expert themselves requests an alternative method of communication.
A significant innovation is the possibility of online interrogation for each specialist during collective expertise. Alongside these changes, legislators introduced additional requirements for experts specializing in automotive technical expertise.
A key point in the amendments is the mandatory maintenance and enhancement of professional qualifications. Experts are given a one-year period to pass a specialized exam for recognition of competence. During this period, they retain the right to conduct expertise and prepare conclusions.
The National Assembly definitively stated that those who fail the exam will be removed from the official lists of expert witnesses. The Minister of Justice was given a three-month period to update the relevant ordinance in collaboration with the Supreme Judicial Council.
During the discussions, political representatives expressed different opinions. Deputy Zlatan Zlatanov from "Revival" supported the innovative approach, defining it as a necessary technological progress that will optimize the judicial system.
However, his colleagues expressed reservations. Tsveta Rangelova emphasized the uneven application of the new rules, which affect only automotive transport expertise. She expressed concern that elderly specialists might be eliminated from the system due to difficulties in passing the exams.
Regardless of the different opinions, parliament adopted the amendments as a step towards modernizing judicial expertise, aimed at improving the quality and transparency of processes.