site.btaParliament Backs Remote Expert Testimony on First Reading

Parliament voted unanimously, 176-0, on first reading on Friday to expand the circumstances under which expert witnesses may be questioned remotely, in order to avoid delays in legal proceedings. The approved amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code were submitted by the Council of Ministers.

Parliament rejected amendments proposed by Vazrazhdane and by Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria.

Lawmakers set a three-day window for proposals between the two readings.

The government's bill allows expert witnesses to be questioned via videoconference when they are unable to appear in court for valid reasons, or if they themselves ask to testify remotely.

Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev said that in order to avoid court cases dragging on for four, five or even seven years on first instance, it is crucial that court expert examinations are completed in a timely manner. "To eliminate delays in court hearings, we are expanding the option of remote hearings of expert witnesses," he said. Once the identity of the expert witness is verified, they will be able to testify via videoconference. They will be located in a courtroom in the town where they live, Georgiev said. At present, the legal provision for remote questioning is very limited and the rule is rarely applied.

The bill stipulates that expert witnesses must undergo refresher training once a year. "The goal is to ensure high-quality expert examinations and to deliver them on time," said Georgiev. A major change is the introduction of a requirement for professional legal qualification for experts conducting forensic vehicle inspections. They must pass an exam," the Justice Minister added.

The amendments also provide for the lists of expert witnesses to be updated and supplemented twice a year.