• Why did you, and JEDI, join the FABII project?

I was personally immediately inspired by the idea of the project – building one place where you can get information and reach a bailiff in Europe and having the possibility to include Bulgarian bailiffs in it is something worth working for. Our organization, JEDI or Judgment Enforcement Development Initiative stands for any idea that will bring more transparency and efficiency in the enforcement process and that is exactly what FAB II stands for. Any coincidence and analogy in the name is deliberate. We are Jedi and would like to see ourselves as the knights of light providing support to citizens and business, ensuring access and protecting the Rule of Law. We saw the project as an opportunity to target our efforts to promoting the introduction of digital technologies, the cooperation among member states and facilitating the access to justice for all European citizens and businesses.

We joined because presently there is no unified and current information on the Bulgarian bailiffs. Our system is mixed or two-track, private and state bailiffs operate parallel and clarity is necessary for parties to make an informed choice.

On the other hand, Bulgaria is situated at a crossroad, economic and social ties with the rest of Europe are more and more dynamic. Predictability and stability pay an important role in regulating relationships and transactions and the significance of cross-border e-justice is increasing. The electronic directory of bailiffs will improve access to e-justice.

Bulgarian bailiffs are part of the European family of bailiffs and deserve to find their legitimate place in the directory. European citizens and businesses deserve to have easy access and clear descriptions of the existing possibilities and enforcement procedures.

 

• What are your feedbacks after one year and a half of this project?

We are fortunate to have an amazing project team. From the very beginning we cooperated easily, naturally synchronizing our efforts and project progress. Starting with the preparation of the launching conference in Brussels last June, learning from the current users of the Directory we explored the possibilities and needs of countries. We promoted the opportunities granted by EU for other member states to join through the first Regional Conference in Sofia. We continued raising broader awareness of the project and the benefits of the electronic directory and built more and expanded existing ties during the Rome conference in February this year. The success of these events brought to the joining of the Ministries of Justice of Italy and Bulgaria.

We are currently at a stage of finalizing the applet for joining the Directory and following up on the contacts with other countries that are considering joining.

Find a Bailiff II will facilitate cross-border exchanges and interactions. It provides a fast and reliable access to enforcement services and information about them.

 

• What are your expectations for the future of FABII?

I firmly believe that more and more countries will become aware of the possibilities and the undoubtful benefits provided by the unified single electronic directory of European bailiffs and will join the Directory. Frankly, I am surprised that this process is not going much faster and countries are not soliciting interest themselves but I do understand that nation-wide decisions take time even when there is nothing to lose. Finding the right information and the competent bailiff is of paramount importance, as is its incorporation into the future Justice Portal.

To avoid any risks of misunderstanding in the description of enforcement procedure we are currently working on standardized fact sheets that would reflect the enforcement procedures in each country that has joined in the Directory and in a language that is easy to understand by the general public.

I expect to see more proactive and aligned activities for the expansion of the Directory.

I also see a need to continue the work in a follow-up project. FAB II has to be followed by FAB III to build upon the achievements and bring onboard even more member states and serve as the instrument to connect the electronic directory into the European e-Justice Portal.