VFU team ranks first in the national north-east case study competition
The second national case study competition in the field of criminal law took place on 19th April, at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. The competition was organized by the Criminal Justice Club at VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar”, supervised by Judge Rositsa Toncheva from Varna District Court and the Department of Legal Sciences at VFU. Participants included students from the Law faculties if three universities - three teams from Varna Free University, two teams from Sofia University and one team from Russe University.
Chairman of the jury was Prof. Lazar Gruev, PhD a Professor of Criminal Law, author of a number of research works, former Chairman of the Supreme Court of Cassation of the Republic of Bulgaria. Members of the jury were Judge Rositsa Toncheva from Varna District Court and Assoc. Prof. Kremena Rayanova, PhD, lecturer at Angel Kanchev Russe University.
The competition was given a start by the Head of the Department of Legal Sciences at VFU, Assoc. Prof. Emilia Siderova, PhD.
In compliance with the competition regulations, Prof. Lazar Gruev, PhD drew one case of two possible ones, after which the die was cast to determine the opposing teams and the positions they would take in the legal dispute – prosecution and defence. The participants were allowed an hour to solve the first case study. After that, following a pre-determined order, the teams were given the floor for the oral expositions, followed by replies and rejoinders. The jury, having listened to all teams, selected two VFU teams, one Sofia University team and the Russe University team to continue into the next stage.
In the second round the contestants had two hours to solve a new case. The lot determined that the two VFU teams should be opponents, and that the Sofia University team should fight against the Russe University team.
Finally, the jury gave the deserved first place to the second VFU team, with members Nalyan Svilenova Hristova – captain, Desislava Gurdeva, Encho Nikolov and Polina Ivanova.
The runner-up was the first VFU team with captain Gabriela Panajototva and members Plamena Nankova, Blagoy Zaikov and Mila Tsoneva. The third place was shared by the Sofia University team with captain Petar Kalchev and members Desislava Danova, Antonia Toncheva, Vesela Dineva and Kamelia Andonova, and the Russe University team with captain Lyuboslav Lyubenov, and members Viktoria Pencheva, Samuil Slavev, Bogomil Dimov and Goran Zlatkov.
At the award ceremony, the Chairman of the jury Prof. Lazar Gruev, PhD shared his satisfaction with the excellent preparation of the participants and with their serious attitude towards the set tasks. He wished them to keep on acquiring knowledge and never to lose their team spirit. Judge Rositsa Toncheva wished the participants successful career development, and spoke out her hope that they may soon meet as colleagues in the courtroom. “And why not even at the Supreme Court of Cassation?”, added Prof. Lazar Gruev.
The winning teams were awarded medals by the Vice President of VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar”, Mr. Yani Yanev, who wished them success and never ending respect for the profession they have chosen. Prizes were also given to all participating teams. In a gesture of chivalry, the members of the Criminal Justice Club at VFU “Chernorizets Hrabar” Encho Nikolov and Blagoy Zaitsev gave their medals to their supervisor Judge Rositsa Toncheva as a sign of everyone’s gratitude and respect for her dedicated work and time.
