Върховен административен съд

Profile narrative

The Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria is the highest judicial body responsible for administrative justice in the country. It reviews the legality of acts, regulations and decisions issued by state authorities, municipalities and other public entities. Its primary function is to ensure that administrative actions comply with the Constitution and statutory law, thereby protecting the rights of individuals and legal entities. The court hears cases ranging from disputes over building permits and public procurement contracts to challenges against social security decisions and tax assessments. Through its judgments it develops a consistent body of administrative jurisprudence that lower courts and public administrations are expected to follow. The court also provides guidance on the interpretation of EU law as it applies within Bulgaria’s administrative framework.

The court is headquartered in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, where its chambers and administrative offices are located. As part of the Bulgarian judiciary, it operates independently from the executive and legislative branches, guaranteeing impartiality in its judgments. The institution’s jurisdiction covers the entire national territory, meaning that appeals from lower administrative courts across Bulgaria can be brought before it. The court is composed of a president, vice‑presidents and a number of judges who are appointed by the Supreme Judicial Council following a competitive procedure. Hearings are generally open to the public and reasoned decisions are published online, contributing to transparency of the administrative justice system. Its rulings are final and binding, except in cases where a constitutional complaint is filed with the Constitutional Court.

The Supreme Administrative Court was hit by a ransomware attack on 27 January 2025 that encrypted its administrative and informational data. According to the court’s acting chairman, one third of the system had been fully restored shortly after the incident and no information had been lost or altered. He noted that the existence of paper records prevented any data tampering during the attack. The justice minister stated that the institution would not pay the ransom, describing the act as a criminal offense. He added that an investigation is underway by the relevant authorities.

Incidents

1 incident linked to this organisation.