May 7th, 2008

National Assembly had its first summer session plenary sitting on 7 May 2008. Representatives of parliamentary groups took the floor on the occasion of the new political season opening.

MPs debated on second reading amendments in the Civil Procedure Code. The amendments foresee for the state institutions to be exempted from paying state court taxes notwithstanding the type and nature of the claims in dispute. Until now the state institutions were forced to pay considerable court expenses to litigate their private claims and rights of real estate ownership.

The amendments in the Civil Procedure Code stipulate for increase in pension and salary garnishments for debtors. In case when the debtor gets a salary or pension over the minimum salary for the country up to BGN 300 and has children the garnished money can amount to 20 % of the income and to one forth (25%) in case the debtor is childless.

In the range between BGN 300 up to 600 the garnishment increases to one third to one forth of the income. In case when the debtor receives an income of over BGN 1200 and has no children the garnishment comprises the money over BGN 600; the amount withheld over the sum of BGN 800 is in case when the debtor is in charge of child support.