The text below is kindly provided by DLA Piper

The Bulgarian court system consists of: (i) Regional Courts with criminal and civil jurisdiction, (ii) District Courts, which are tribunals of both first and second instance depending on the value or nature of the claim, (iii) Appellate Courts, and (iv) the Supreme Courts (Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative Court), which act as last instance for civil, administrative and criminal law matters.

Civil and commercial claims (including corporate law claims) are brought in either Regional Courts or District Courts depending on the value of the dispute. Claims below BGN 25,000 (approx. EUR 12,800) are brought before Regional Courts and where the disputed value exceeds this amount claims are brought before District Courts.

Real estate claims, including repossession over real estate properties, are brought before the Regional Courts where the real estate is located. However, where the real estate property value exceeds BGN 50,000 (approx. EUR 25,600) District Courts act as first instance courts.

Courts of Appeal hear appeals against resolutions handed down by District Courts, while District Courts hear appeals against resolutions handed down by Regional Courts.

The Supreme Court of Cassation (Civil Division) hears appeals against second instance judgments (those of District Courts and Courts of Appeal). It also exercises supervision over civil and commercial court decisions to ensure the accurate and consistent application of the law.

Claims in respect of administrative acts (e.g. tax matters, licenses, residence permits, real estate matters, disputes with the local and central administration) are brought in the Administrative Courts, which act as courts of first instance. The decisions of the Administrative Courts may be appealed in the Supreme Administrative Court. It also exercises supervision over the decisions, orders and other administrative acts of public authorities where provided by the law.

The Supreme Court of Cassation and the Supreme Administrative Court are entitled to issue interpretative decisions which are aimed at providing final solutions where disputes as to the application of certain statutory provisions arise and at eliminating and preventing inconsistencies and contradictions in the judicial practice.

The Bulgarian Constitutional Court is independent form the legislative and executive authorities in the country and is entitled to ensure the consistency of the legislation in force with the constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria. Once a legislative act is declared as contradictory to the Bulgarian constitution, such legislative act would not be further applied.