The UIHJ, represented by Marc Schmitz, President, Jos Uitdehaag, 1st Vice President and Patrick Gielen, Secretary General together with the UEHJ, represented by Paulo Duarte Pinto, member of the Executive Committee and Dovile Šnirpūnė, Secretary General, joined the celebrations held in Sofia on 5 December for the 20th anniversary of the Bulgarian Chamber of Private Enforcement Agents (BCPEA). The Jubilee Conference, titled “Law, Protection, Statehood – 20 Years of Reform in Action”, took place at the Intercontinental Sofia and gathered many professionals from Bulgaria and abroad.
The event opened with remarks by H.E. Georgi Georgiev, Minister of Justice of Bulgaria, Georgi Dichev, President of the BCPEA, and Marc Schmitz, President of the UIHJ. Their speeches highlighted how much the profession has grown over the past twenty years and how private enforcement agents have become an essential part of the justice system in Bulgaria. Throughout the day, judges, lawyers, academics and international representatives expressed their appreciation for the progress achieved by the Chamber and for its continuing contribution to the rule of law.
One of the key moments of the conference was the session on judicial enforcement in Europe, where speakers from different countries presented current trends and shared their experience.
This exchange showed how closely Bulgaria’s development is linked to European reforms and how the profession is adapting to new technologies, digital assets and cross-border challenges. The UIHJ and UEHJ representatives added their insights and underlined the importance of strong international cooperation.
According to the official program, the day continued with a work lunch, a cultural tour of Sofia on a retro tram, and an evening cocktail that brought together all participants in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
This combination of professional discussions and informal moments gave the anniversary a very engaging and convivial tone.
Across all contributions, one message clearly emerged: in twenty years, the Bulgarian Chamber has built a solid, modern and respected profession. The anniversary was not only an opportunity to celebrate past achievements, but also to look confidently toward the future.
The 20th anniversary of the Bulgarian Chamber of Private Enforcement Agents was a meaningful and lively celebration, marked by sincere exchanges, strong partnerships and a shared commitment to continue improving enforcement in Bulgaria within an evolving legal and technological landscape.
