Stankov, Todorov & Hinkov

Publications

New Law to Protect Whistleblowers. A Brief Overview

  • 24.02.2023
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Ivana Manginova
On May 4th 2023, the Whistleblower Protection Act adopted by the Bulgarian National Assembly will enter into force. The provisions relating to employers in the private sector with 50 to 249 employees shall come into force on 17.12.2023. The law transposes Directive (EU) 2019/1937 of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2019 on the protection of whistleblowers, … Continue reading New Law to Protect Whistleblowers. A Brief Overview

New amendments to the Labour Code. Overview of the highlights

  • 08.08.2022
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Ida Golemanova
The broad range of rights and obligations affected requires swift alignment of employers’ internal procedures and practices with the regulatory changes. As of 1st of August 2022, significant amendments were introduced to the Labour Code, the Social Insurance Code, the Health Insurance Act with the Act on Amending and Supplementing the Labour Code. They concern the issue of amendment of … Continue reading New amendments to the Labour Code. Overview of the highlights

Rights of persons affected by the war in Ukraine, provided under Bulgarian law

  • 20.03.2022
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Ida Golemanova
The invasion of Ukraine has led to a mass influx of refugees to all EU member states, including the Republic of Bulgaria. As a result of numerous inquiries to Stankov, Hinkov, Todorov & Spasov Attorneys-at-Law regarding the regime of residence of refugees from Ukraine, we decided to summarize the answers to the most frequently asked questions. Permitted stay on the … Continue reading Rights of persons affected by the war in Ukraine, provided under Bulgarian law

The real estate market – bubble or springboard

  • 11.10.2021
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Teodor Todorov
Пазарът на недвижими имоти
The mindset of making a fast and handsome profit from residential development poses risks for both inexperienced investors and buyers. There is hardly a need for a long presentation of the real estate market in Sofia and larger cities at this point. A highly vibrant market, with a record number of transactions, weekly rising prices, thousands of housing units under … Continue reading The real estate market – bubble or springboard

Trademark protection – from a recommended step to a necessity

  • 06.10.2021
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Lily Stefanova
In times like today where branding, presentation and web-presence are seen as key to successful business, brand protection is going from a good idea to a necessity. Trademark registration is the first of the reasonable steps to take as we consider the image, substance and direction of our company and brand. Why is branding important and what benefits does it … Continue reading Trademark protection – from a recommended step to a necessity

Balcony, Terrace, Loggia – which of them requires a building permit?

  • 11.08.2021
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Emel Bekirova
Остъкляване на тераса
The space that we are all used to calling a terrace may, in fact, not be a terrace, but a balcony or loggia. The law uses three different terms when regulating these specific spaces of your home. The reason is their constructive specification and how much a change to the construction would reflect on the stability of the building. What … Continue reading Balcony, Terrace, Loggia – which of them requires a building permit?

My Ex-Partner Does not Comply with a Court Decision and Does not Allow Me to See Our Child. What Actions Could I Undertake?

  • 12.01.2021
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Nina Triondzhieva
Obstructing the right of the parent without parental rights to have personal contact with their child is illegal. The right of the child to have personal contact with both parents is widely protected in the national legislation, as well as on an international level. According to the provisions of Art. 124, Para. 2 of the Family Code the child has … Continue reading My Ex-Partner Does not Comply with a Court Decision and Does not Allow Me to See Our Child. What Actions Could I Undertake?

Does COVID-19 Relieve Us of Contractual Obligations?

  • 17.03.2020
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Teodor Todorov
Who can plead force majeure in relation with the coronavirus and when? With a resolution of the National Assembly on March 13, 2020, a state of emergency has been declared in relation to the growing pandemic of the COVID-19. In accordance with Order No. 01-143 of March 13, 2020 issued by the Minister of Health, any visits to restaurants, bars, … Continue reading Does COVID-19 Relieve Us of Contractual Obligations?

Atelier or Apartment?

  • 04.08.2019
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Denitsa Atanasova
A few particularities that should be taken into account before purchasing an atelier. The purchase of an abode is an important event both in life and in economic aspect. In order to prevent unwanted surprises, purchasers should do a careful research on the ownership of the property, they should find out whether there are foreclosures, mortgages or other land charges, … Continue reading Atelier or Apartment?

What Should We Know If We Sell Goods on the Internet

  • 18.09.2018
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  • dir.bg
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  • Simeon Hinkov
The legislative amendments envisage storage of information about shipments with cash on delivery for a 5-year period with the aim to tax particular transactions. Probably everyone has an acquaintance that sells diverse goods online and thus generates an income which often exceeds the average salary in the state. How many of your acquaintances duly follow the obligations for e-commerce? Probably … Continue reading What Should We Know If We Sell Goods on the Internet

Will the Suggested Amendments to the Commercial Act Deteriorate the Business Climate?

  • 21.12.2017
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  • investor.bg
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  • Teodor Todorov
Amendments to the Commercial Act were voted on first read in the end of November after being introduced by the left. The objective is better protection of workers and employees in the case of non-payment of the due remuneration for more than two months. The amendments give workers and employees the opportunity to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against their employer and … Continue reading Will the Suggested Amendments to the Commercial Act Deteriorate the Business Climate?

Acceleration of the Criminal Proceedings

  • 04.12.2017
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  • Правен свят
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  • Petar Spasov
Among the most important matters regarding the latest alterations in the Code of Criminal Procedure is “Acceleration of the criminal proceedings” – arranged in Chapter 26. The alterations have been in force since November 5. They have raised controversy and will probably continue to do so. A new legal term First and foremost, the used by the legislator term “acceleration” … Continue reading Acceleration of the Criminal Proceedings

Trademarks – Part of the Formula for Successful Business

  • 05.11.2017
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  • investor.bg
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  • Hristo Hinkov
Why is it important for the business that trademarks be registered? The old maxim goes that a person first works for their name, then the name works for them. This rule applies in full force for the business. Establishing a new manufacture or going through the first steps of a new company is no easy task – finding a new … Continue reading Trademarks – Part of the Formula for Successful Business

How to Travel Abroad with the Child in Case of Divorce

  • 24.09.2017
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  • STHS Law Firm
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  • Plamena Vasileva
The problems with taking a child abroad after separation with the spouse. According to statistics the percentage of marriages ending in divorce continues to increase – not only here but in most European countries. The marriage oath ‘until death do us apart’ is rapidly losing its sense. Despite their desire to move on separately, the divorced spouses have to communicate … Continue reading How to Travel Abroad with the Child in Case of Divorce

iAPC – Will the Administrative Justice Enter Our Pockets?

  • 28.08.2017
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  • investor.bg
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  • Simeon Hinkov
The rapid technological revolution has allowed us to hold at the palm of our hand a device, embodying a phone, computer, camera, store, bank, tourist agency, and map of the world, the New York stock exchange and what not. Digital technologies will take an even greater place in our lives – from social needs, to shopping and money management, communication … Continue reading iAPC – Will the Administrative Justice Enter Our Pockets?

Are We “Green” to Buy “on the Green”?

  • 05.07.2017
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  • profit.bg
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  • Radostina Hadzhieva
Sofia’s slogan “Grows but does not age” is becoming more and more relevant these days. For the last 10 years the capital has acquired a new look and has rapidly replaced the panel buildings with new modern housing constructions. The municipality is overloaded with requests for building permits, the notaries – with deals for huge sums, and the court – … Continue reading Are We “Green” to Buy “on the Green”?

War on Cash

  • 19.06.2017
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  • в. "24 часа"
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  • Teodor Todorov
The planned legislative changes on cash payment limits are part of the measures in the war on terrorism and the fight against the grey sector and tax evasion.   War on Cash is not a name of Hollywood super production. It is a slogan used by the European press to describe the European Commission’s experience abruptly limiting cash payments in … Continue reading War on Cash

What Should We Know about the Register of Bank Accounts and Safes at the Bulgarian National Bank?

  • 02.03.2017
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  • economic.bg
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  • Teodor Todorov
Since the beginning of the year the Register of bank accounts and safes at the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) is operating – it is an electronic information system which contains centralized data about bank accounts and bank safes of natural persons and legal entities in Bulgarian banks. Expanding the obligations of banks to provide information to state authorities is a … Continue reading What Should We Know about the Register of Bank Accounts and Safes at the Bulgarian National Bank?

Legal Advisory Fees under Control

  • 27.02.2017
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  • investor.bg
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  • Doychin Ivanov
In the past few years have witnessed multiple vivid examples of adjudging disproportionately high court expenses on cases regarding collection of receivables. Such are typically cases of mobile operators, district heating companies, electricity suppliers, water suppliers, etc. One of the reasons for the high expenses is the legal advisory fee. Since the end of January 2017 amendments in the Civil … Continue reading Legal Advisory Fees under Control

Business Trips Abroad – What New?

  • 02.02.2017
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  • manager.bg
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  • Doychin Ivanov
The elimination of the inner European borders and the globalization of the economy inevitably lead to more business cooperation between Bulgarian companies and their foreign partners. This makes enterprises send employees on business trips more frequently – about project activities, conducting negotiations, etc. Since the beginning of 2017 amendments in the Labor Code connected with business trips abroad have come … Continue reading Business Trips Abroad – What New?

How New Amendments to Bulgarian Commercial Code Intend to Fight Company Larceny

  • 10.01.2017
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  • в. "Труд"
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  • Simeon Hinkov
Since the beginning of 2017 new amendments in the Commercial Code have come into force. They aim to increase security and counteract abuses in the field of company law. What imposed these amendments? In the last few years thefts of companies have increased dramatically. The objects of these frauds are usually companies which have property of a significant value – … Continue reading How New Amendments to Bulgarian Commercial Code Intend to Fight Company Larceny

The New Amendments in the Labour Code

  • 08.01.2017
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  • sths-law.com
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  • Doychin Ivanov
New amendments in the Labour Code were published in issue No. 105 from 30.12.2016 of the State Gazette. We present some of the most important amendments which are applicable as of 30.12.2016, respectively as of 01.01.2017. Rights of employees or workers who are on business trips or who are sent to work in other countries A fine line of differentiation … Continue reading The New Amendments in the Labour Code

Recognition of the Right to Deduct Tax Credit – Mission Possible?

  • 13.06.2016
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  • sths-law.com
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  • Plamena Vasileva
The 14th of the month is one of the most important dates for every company, because it is related to the payment and the deduction of value added tax (VAT). Companies face VAT every month, and on a yearly basis this tax generates considerable sums. In case of a tax audit the losses due to non-recognition of the tax credit … Continue reading Recognition of the Right to Deduct Tax Credit – Mission Possible?

What is a Parking Space and Why is the Law Silent about It?

  • 01.02.2016
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  • sths-law.com
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  • Radostina Hadzhieva
What is a parking space? The legal theory and practice are still looking for the answer to this question, but the law is silent about it. The lack of a legal definition and a normative regulation for the parking space regime creates obstacles in the development of their construction and transfer of their ownership. With the 2004 construction boom, parking … Continue reading What is a Parking Space and Why is the Law Silent about It?

SMS against Headaches

  • 09.02.2015
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  • capital.bg
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  • Teodor Todorov
Why is it important that Bulgarian citizens and companies subscribe for SMS notifications when changes in their firm and property batch occur? Think about how organized groups call hundreds of pensioners every day in an attempt to entrap them in tested telephone schemes. Now imagine these same people, instead of digging through old phonebooks, carefully looking through your financial accounts … Continue reading SMS against Headaches

Enforcement on a Pledged Commercial Undertaking in Case of Insolvency

  • 11.12.2014
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  • Lega InterConsult News
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  • Hristo Hinkov
The Law on Registered Pledges (LRP) stipulates that the initiation of bankruptcy proceedings shall not stop an already commenced execution on pledged property. Given such a scenario, the insolvency administrator should pass the pledged property to the creditor, who has the right to sell it on their own behalf and to the expense of the debtor. Should the sale fail … Continue reading Enforcement on a Pledged Commercial Undertaking in Case of Insolvency

Amendments in the Rules for Entry – Protection against Property Fraud or Bureaucracy?

  • 16.09.2014
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  • investor.bg
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  • Hristo Hinkov
On 25th July 2014 the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria accepted amendments in the Rules for Entry, published in the State Gazette, issue 63 from 1st August 2014. According to the new Para. 3 of Art. 51 of the Rules, the Registry Agency will no longer provide uncertified copies of entered acts - in other words, the … Continue reading Amendments in the Rules for Entry – Protection against Property Fraud or Bureaucracy?

How to Get Money from Banks with Withdrawn License

  • 18.08.2014
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  • capital.bg
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  • Mihail Stankov
The public dispute about the Corporate Commercial Bank is rising multiple questions about the procedure, the authorities, and the rights of the depositors. The bank continues to be under special supervision and it is still not clear when and how will the investors be compensated. Here is what the current legislation has to say about the question. The Bank Deposit … Continue reading How to Get Money from Banks with Withdrawn License

Absolute Prescription with Misspellings

  • 05.02.2014
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  • investor.bg
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  • Teodor Todorov
Is the absolute prescription apt to discharge the figure of the eternal debtor? During the last year there have been active discussions about introducing the absolute prescription for obligations of natural persons. A new project for the amendment of the Obligations and Contracts Act was introduced. The project aims to solve a number of problems in the civil turnover: • … Continue reading Absolute Prescription with Misspellings

Fast Loans, Citizens and the State

  • 13.11.2013
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  • в. "Труд"
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  • Teodor Todorov
How not to bay BGN 5 000 for a BGN 350 debt. The so-called fast loans (i.e. loans for under BGN 400) have become especially relevant recently. On one hand, because of the discussion that arose from their regulation, and on the other hand – because of the ever increasing activity of companies which provide such loans. The examples of … Continue reading Fast Loans, Citizens and the State

European Enforcement Order for Uncontested Claims in accordance with Regulation No. 805/2004

  • 08.10.2013
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  • Wirtschaftsblatt bulgarisches, бр. 10/2012
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  • Mihail Stankov
The establishment, maintenance and development of an area of freedom, security and justice, in which the free movement of persons, goods and service is guaranteed, is the main principle of the European Union. With Regulation No. 805/2004 for the first time the restrictions of the exequatur proceedings as a precondition for enforcing an enforcement order, issued in another Member State, … Continue reading European Enforcement Order for Uncontested Claims in accordance with Regulation No. 805/2004

European Small Claims Procedure – Regulation No. 861/2007

  • 08.09.2013
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  • Wirtschaftsblatt bulgarisches, бр. 9/2012
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  • Mihail Stankov
The establishment of a simplified, fast, uniform and effective procedure for defence against inexecution of obligations regarding civil and commercial matters is an essential purpose of the adopted by the EU policy for unifying the various national procedures. Regulation No. 861/2007 poses a part of these efforts and creates the European Small Claims Procedure. The main purpose of the document … Continue reading European Small Claims Procedure – Regulation No. 861/2007

European Order for Payment – Regulation No. 1896/2006

  • 08.08.2013
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  • Wirtschaftsblatt bulgarisches, бр. 8/2012
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  • Mihail Stankov
One of the main purposes of the creation of the European Union is the establishment of a single market between the subjects of the Member States that allows the free flow of capital, goods, services and persons. This provides the opportunity for free establishment and development of connections between the subjects, which stimulates the growth of commercial, civil, real and … Continue reading European Order for Payment – Regulation No. 1896/2006

Will the Expected Amendments to the Film Industry Act Boost Investor Interest

  • 11.12.2010
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  • Lega InterConsult News
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  • Hristo Hinkov
The bill to amend and supplement the Film Industry Act (“the Act”), proposed late last year by Bulgarian filmmakers, has stirred up a discussion on whether the introduction of tax credit in this field is the long-sought panacea to revive Bulgarian cinema or just another imprudent move aimed at using the otherwise positive experience of others in this area, among … Continue reading Will the Expected Amendments to the Film Industry Act Boost Investor Interest

Problems with Transfer of Property between Spouses with a Matrimonial Agreement

  • 11.10.2010
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  • Lega InterConsult News
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  • Hristo Hinkov
The new Family Code, taken effect as of valid from October 1, 2009, introduced for the first time in the Bulgarian legislation the institution of the matrimonial agreement as a tool to regulate relations between persons who are about to get or already are married. The matrimonial agreement can include clauses regarding spouses’ rights on property acquired before or during … Continue reading Problems with Transfer of Property between Spouses with a Matrimonial Agreement

Contract for Acquisition of Property against Life Care Obligations

  • 09.09.2010
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  • sths-law.com
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  • Teodor Todorov
The contract for acquisition of property against life care obligations belongs to the so-called “unnamed contracts”. This means that there is no specific normative framework to arrange it. During the last years, this legal institute has gained vast popularity, determined by the public and economic relations in the state. In short, the subject of this type of contract is the … Continue reading Contract for Acquisition of Property against Life Care Obligations