Licensed for procedural representation and defense before the Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative Court (all judicial instances). Memberships: IAL/UIA, ABA, AEA, SBA. Authorized for activities under Art.4, item 16 of the Private Investigation Services Act.
COMMUNICATION and TERMS FOR PERSONS who are NOT currently represented by ATTORNEY IVANOV
Nominated and recommended attorney by GLOBAL LAW EXPERTS (GLE) for 2025/2026 as an expert in Criminal Law for the Republic of Bulgaria.
GLE selects leading attorneys worldwide in various areas of law. These professionals collaborate, share ideas, deliver lectures, and influence the development of practice in their field.
Active collaboration, contacts, and mutual assistance at national and international levels with over 10,000 attorneys and law firms worldwide, practicing in all areas of law.
Individual Member of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LAWYERS with Membership ID No. MI045827.
As an active member of the INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LAWYERS (IAL/UIA), Attorney Ivanov maintains professional relationships with attorneys from over 150 countries worldwide.
IAL provides a framework for collaboration and exchange that enables Attorney Ivanov to expand his legal horizons and collaborate on cross-border cases, ensuring legal services based on high achievement, ethics, and innovation.
Individual Member of the AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION with Membership ID No. 06227184.
Founded in 1878, the American Bar Association is committed to promoting the rule of law in the United States and around the world, defending freedom and justice.
PROVIDING LEGAL ASSISTANCE, LEGAL CONSULTANCY, LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND LEGAL PROTECTION TO U.S. CITIZENS, WHICH ARE VICTIM FROM A CRIME ON THE TERRITORY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA. Parental child abduction, child protection, insurance, criminal law, damages, narcotics, contracts, transportation law, aeronautical/maritime, foreign claims, estates, taxes, immigration, auto/accidents and etc.
U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria /
Legal Assistance /
List of Lawyers in Sofia
Individual Member of the ASSOCIATION OF EUROPEAN ATTORNEYS.
EXPERT-RESPONDENT FOR THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA on the EU PROJECT FOR SUBNATIONAL JUSTICE, GOVERNANCE AND RULE OF LAW INDICATORS, funded by the European Commission under the WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT (WJP).
COLLABORATOR of the State Agency "National Security" (SANS), in connection with combating corruption in the Judiciary and other bodies of state power and local self-government in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Registered in the public register of the Ministry of Justice as a practicing attorney with rights to exercise activities under Art.4, item 16 of the Private Investigation Services Act.
Licensed for procedural representation and defense before the Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative Court (all judicial instances).
Right to legal defense - IMMEDIATELY.
In the above emergency cases, using the various contact channels with ATTORNEY IVANOV, it is RECOMMENDED to also send an SMS with text: "URGENT".
The detention period CANNOT exceed 24 hours! If the detainee is not charged under the Criminal Procedure Code within 24 hours of police detention, they must be released!
Right to legal defense - immediately - from the moment of detention/restriction of freedom of movement.
ACCUSED is the person against whom criminal charges have been brought during the pre-trial phase (investigation).
Right to legal defense - immediately.
In criminal proceedings, when an indictment has been filed in court, we refer to DEFENDANT.
Right to legal defense - immediately.
Rights:
1. To use notes when giving testimony.
2. To examination by delegation, as well as to refuse to testify.
3. To compensation for lost workday and expenses incurred.
4. To request annulment of acts that violate their rights and legitimate interests.
5. To immediate protection measures (Protected witness).
Right to legal defense from the moment of summons.
Victim is a natural person who has suffered pecuniary/non-pecuniary damages from a crime. In criminal proceedings may join as Private Prosecutor and/or Civil Claimant.
Injured Legal Entity is an organization that has suffered pecuniary damages from a crime. In criminal proceedings may join as Civil Claimant.
Right to legal defense - immediately.
The victim who has suffered pecuniary or non-pecuniary damages from a crime prosecuted under general procedure has the right to participate in criminal proceedings as Private Prosecutor.
Right to legal defense at every stage of criminal proceedings.
The victim of a crime prosecuted by private complaint may bring and maintain charges before the court as Private Complainant.
Right to legal defense at every stage of criminal proceedings.
The victim or their heirs, as well as legal entities that have suffered damages from the crime, may file a civil claim for compensation in criminal proceedings and establish themselves as Civil Claimants.
Right to legal defense at every stage of criminal proceedings.
Persons against whom a civil claim is filed, except the defendant, participate in criminal proceedings as Civil Defendants.
Right to legal defense at every stage of criminal proceedings.
Right to legal defense - immediately - from the moment of imposition of CPM.
Right to legal defense - immediately - from the moment of imposition of the Compulsory Administrative Measure (CAM).
Right to legal defense - immediately - from the moment of imposition of the Compulsory Administrative Measure (CAM).
Right to legal defense - immediately - from the moment of imposition of the Compulsory Administrative Measure (CAM).
Right to legal defense - immediately - from the moment of notification/learning of refusal.
Legal defense, assistance and procedural representation when applying for asylum, status or temporary protection in the Republic of Bulgaria. Assistance with imposed compulsory administrative measures (CAM): accommodation in SDVNCH, as well as detention under Ministry of Interior Act or placement in transit zone/detention facility at border checkpoint.
Right to legal defense - immediately.
Right to legal defense - immediately - from the moment of first procedural act regarding the person, in connection with request for imposition of compulsory medical measure under Art.89 Penal Code (incl. appearance/detention, summons, appointment or hearing of expert evaluation); in all cases - no later than filing of prosecutor's motion under Art.427 CPC.
Right to legal defense - immediately - from the moment of first state action affecting rights or restricting freedom of movement (incl. temporary placement under Art.154 Health Act); in all cases - no later than filing of prosecutor's motion/first summons under Art.157–158 Health Act.
→ Driving after consumption of alcohol (≥ 1.2‰), narcotic substances/their analogues or refusal of test (Art.343b Penal Code).
→ Driving without license - within one year of administrative penalty for same act or during period of disqualification from operating motor vehicle (Art.343v Penal Code).
→ Operating unregistered motor vehicle, false plates/forged numbers (Art.345 Penal Code).
→ Providing motor vehicle to unlicensed/drunk/drugged driver (Art.343e Penal Code).
→ Traffic accident with violation of traffic rules: 1/ Criminal liability under Art.342 and 343 Penal Code (with heavier sanctions for qualified cases). 2/ Criminal liability under Art.122-129 Penal Code may arise also when operating non-motor vehicle (bicycle/animal-drawn vehicle/other), if traffic rules violation caused result: medium/severe bodily injury or death.
Right to legal defense - immediately (both for perpetrator and for victim(s) in traffic accident)
Right to legal defense - immediately - from moment of detention. Strongly recommended engagement of two attorneys: attorney in executing state (where you are detained, engaged with case/measure) and attorney in issuing/requesting state (engaged with guarantees, "specialty", statute of limitations, documents; guarantees for conditions, trial, health; negotiations and possible withdrawal/corrections of EAW).
Cases where Criminal Proceedings fall under competence of Military Prosecutor and Military Court (unless within competence of European Public Prosecutor):
→ When perpetrator is military personnel (regardless whether act committed "on duty" or not).
→ When person is reservist on active duty or wartime service member.
→ When person is civilian employee in Ministry of Defense/Armed Forces/subordinate structures, NSO or State Agency for Refugees and act is "during or in connection with" service.
→ When there is mixed participation — at least one participant is military.
Structure/Judicial Instances: 1/ Military District Prosecutor and corresponding Military Court (Sofia, Plovdiv and Sliven). 2/ Military Appellate Prosecutor and Military Appellate Court (Sofia). 3/ Supreme Court of Cassation.
Measures of restraint: 1/ For career military and civilian employees: general measures under CPC (Recognizance; Financial guarantee; House arrest; Pre-trial detention). 2/ For reservists on active duty/wartime persons: special measures — supervision in unit or detention in barracks/common areas.
Right to legal defense - immediately (from moment of summons, detention or first procedural act against person); Witness - from moment of summons.
In the territory of: Sofia - 1000, Republic of Bulgaria; "Central Macedonia" Region, Republic of Greece; and "Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur" Region, Republic of France; to prevent fraudulent practices and real estate fraud.
Legal assistance and consultancy when applying for firearms permit from Ministry of Interior, as well as procedural representation when appealing refusal to issue or revocation of already issued permit.
SAVING TIME GOING TO OFFICES, THROUGH REMOTE LEGAL ASSISTANCE - ANYTIME FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
Send written inquiry regarding legal assistance you require, concerning: (1) possibility of providing it; and (2) amount of attorney fee, payable in advance and in full; specifying: your name, citizenship and phone number for callback, and briefly describe specific case:
Applications for conducting online consultation that you need to have/install on your device:
Ongoing legal assistance and consultancy (routine per Order No. 1/09.07.2004 on Attorney Fees) - without procedural representation. Service covers regular, recurring needs and prevention of legal risks. Procedural services requiring procedural representation/power of attorney are commissioned and paid in advance by separate agreement.
Advantages: Reliable legal security and protection. Priority service over other potential clients. You have a personal attorney for daily legal assistance and support for the contract term.
(VAT included, payable in advance and in full upon signing Subscription Legal Service and Consultancy Agreement; EUR amounts at BNB exchange rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN)
Important!: The stated attorney fees are indicative and do not include state, court, notarial and other fees to third parties, courier costs and official translations. The client owes expenses made by the attorney when fulfilling the contract subject, evidenced by proper document. These costs are paid additionally against presented proper accounting documents. Subscription does not automatically create obligation to undertake procedural representation; such commissions are agreed with separate contract and power of attorney.
Send your inquiry to Attorney Ivanov:
Citizens have right to legal defense everywhere and at all times – in contacts with administrative bodies and services, as well as with natural and legal persons. Any restriction of this access to attorney contradicts Art.56 of Constitution and is inadmissible, unless Constitution explicitly permits restriction in compliance with principle of proportionality.
When regulatory/factual restrictions affect attorney-client confidentiality (Art.30, para.(5) - Constitution) or discourage/obstruct effective use of attorney (Art.56 - Constitution), they are subject to strict constitutional and conventional proportionality review; in absence of exceptions/guarantees - risk of unconstitutionality/ECHR violations.
(Reference: Art.5, para.(2), Art.30, para.(5) and Art.56 of Constitution; Art.18 of Administrative Procedure Code; Art.24, para.(1), item 3 of Bar Act; Case law: Decision №2735 /18.03.2025 on Admin. Case № 8239 /2024 of Supreme Admin. Court, VIII Div.; Decision № 7943 /16.07.2025 on Admin. Case № 4496 /2025 of Supreme Admin. Court, I College; Decision of Constitutional Court №15 /28.09.1993 on Const. Case № 17 /1993; Decision of Constitutional Court №3 /17.05.1994 on Const. Case №1 /1994; Ruling of Constitutional Court №1/ 30.03.2021 on Const. Case № 2 /2021; Decision of Constitutional Court №6 /05.06.2025 on Const. Case № 28 /2024; ECtHR, Iliya Stefanov v. Bulgaria /2008; ECtHR, Petri Sallinen and Others v. Finland /2005; ECtHR, Michaud v. France /2012)
Bar Act - Art.24. (1) /т.3/ Exercise of legal profession includes: representation of clients and defendants and protection of their rights and lawful interests before judicial authorities, administrative bodies and services, as well as before natural and legal persons.
Bar Act - Art.29. (1) Before court, pre-trial proceedings bodies, administrative bodies and other services in country ATTORNEY or EU lawyer is equated with judge regarding due respect and IS OWED ASSISTANCE AS TO JUDGE.
Bar Act - Art.33. (1) Attorney papers, files, electronic documents, computer equipment and other information carriers ARE INVIOLABLE AND SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW, COPYING, INSPECTION OR SEIZURE.
(2) Correspondence between attorney and client, regardless of means of communication, including electronic, SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW, COPYING, INSPECTION OR SEIZURE AND CANNOT BE USED AS EVIDENCE.
(3) Conversations between attorney and client CANNOT BE INTERCEPTED OR RECORDED. ANY RECORDINGS MADE CANNOT BE USED AS EVIDENCE AND ARE SUBJECT TO IMMEDIATE DESTRUCTION.
(4) ATTORNEY CANNOT BE QUESTIONED in procedural capacity regarding: conversations and correspondence with client; conversations and correspondence with another attorney; client matters; facts and circumstances learned in connection with provided defense and assistance.
(5) Paragraphs 1-4 apply also to EU attorney, junior attorney and legal assistant.
Bar Act - Art.34. (1) ATTORNEY or EU lawyer HAS RIGHT TO MEET PRIVATELY WITH CLIENT, INCLUDING WHEN CLIENT IS IN PRE-TRIAL DETENTION OR DEPRIVED OF LIBERTY.
(2) DURING MEETINGS ATTORNEY or EU lawyer HAS RIGHT TO TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE WRITTEN MATERIALS IN CONNECTION WITH CASE, CONTENT OF WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION.
(3) CONVERSATIONS DURING MEETINGS CANNOT BE INTERCEPTED OR RECORDED, but meetings may be observed.
(4) At visits attorney identifies only with bar card, and EU attorney - with bar card or certificate по Art.19б, ал.(3).
Bar Act - Art.39. (1) Funds provided by client for expenditure by attorney or by EU lawyer, may be deposited in bank in client account. Client account may be opened by attorney or EU lawyer, or law firm. Amounts in client account are not part of attorney and EU lawyer or law firm assets and ARE NOT SUBJECT TO SEIZURE.
Bar Act - Art.45. (1) ATTORNEY, as well as EU lawyer IS OBLIGATED TO KEEP CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY WITHOUT TIME LIMITATION.
(2) ATTORNEY, as well as EU lawyer HAS NO RIGHT AS WITNESS TO DISCLOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, entrusted to them in capacity as attorney by client or by another attorney regarding client.
CPC - Art.121. (2) Witness CANNOT BE QUESTIONED REGARDING CIRCUMSTANCES, ENTRUSTED TO THEM AS DEFENSE COUNSEL OR REPRESENTATIVE or became known as interpreter during defendant meetings with defense counsel.
Constitution - Art.30. (5) Everyone has right to meet privately with person defending them. Confidentiality of their communications is inviolable.
Official exchange rate: 1 EUR = 1.95583 BGN.
1. From 01.01.2026 (based on and in accordance with Freedom of contract and permissible refusal of cash payments with prior notice; Recommendation 2010/191/EU; CJEU in joined cases C-422/19 and C-423/19; Art.3 of ZOPB), Attorney Ivanov does not accept cash payments. Only cashless payments are accepted: via bank transfer or by bank card at physical or online POS terminal.
2. From 01.02.2026 (based on and in accordance with Art.Art.4, 5 and 24–26 of ZVERB; Decision/Regulations of the Council of the EU dated 08.07.2025 on the adoption of the euro and the conversion rate; ECB Press Release dated 08.07.2025), Attorney Ivanov accepts payments only in Euro (EUR) - in cash or cashless (via bank transfer or by bank card at physical or online POS terminal).
⚠️ Notice: Expensive legal services.
