The teams of VFU "Chernorizets Hrabar" are training hard for the National Competition in Criminal Justice Sciences
The student teams of Varna Free University are going through the final stage of intensive practical training for the National Student Competition in Criminal Law, which will be held on April 4th, 2026. The university hosts it for the second year in a row. 11 student teams from five universities will participate in the competition: The University of National and World Economy; St Cyril and St Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo; "Angel Kanchev" University of Ruse; South-West University "Neofit Rilski" and Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar". After the strong performance and the silver medal in the previous edition, the expectations for our students are even higher.
The members of the teams of Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" work on real cases from substantive and procedural criminal law under the management of Senior Assist. Prof. Dr. Daniel Iliev - lecturer at the Faculty of Law and prosecutor at the District Prosecutor's Office - Dobrich. 4th and 5th year students – Eva Ivanova, Atanas Markov, Nedyalko Kolev, Konstantina Matkova, Daria Kolarova, Mihaela Dimitrova, Desislava Atanasova and Yanitsa Mihaleva – build reasoned legal positions, defend decisions and practice their presentation in conditions close to judicial practice.
Their training includes working in a limited time, simulations of competitive situations and making draft resolutions, with the emphasis on clear legal logic, convincing argumentation and the ability to make a convincing defense before the jury. The format of the competition provides for two rounds, the six best teams that solve cases in criminal procedural law and present their decisions publicly will reach the final phase.
As part of the accompanying programme of the competition, the university will welcome 40 students from Konstantin Preslavski Secondary School for Humanities and Arts – Varna. They will meet with lecturers from the Faculty of Law, including Prof. Dr. Yonko Kunchev – Dean of the Faculty in the period 2019–2026, and Prof. Dr. Galina Kovacheva – Head of the Department of Criminal Law. The students will visit the specialized forensic science offices and the mock courtroom – part of the modern educational environment of the university. The forensic science offices were made according to the idea and with the active participation of Prof. Kunchev and provide an opportunity for practical classes, close to real expert work.
The students will have the opportunity to follow the performance of the teams in the second round of the competition and to get acquainted with the way in which a legal thesis is built and defended in a real academic environment.
The organizers of the National Student Competition in Criminal Law are the Lawyer's Club "Prof. Tamara Hinova" at the Student Council and the Faculty of Law at the university. The event is held in a year in which Varna Free University celebrates 35 years since its establishment and 30 years since the establishment of the first Student Council in Bulgaria. This continuity emphasizes the role of the academic community and the active participation of students in building a sustainable educational environment.
The event is supported by the leading legal literature publishers "Ciela" and "Sibi", which support the development of future lawyers and promote high academic standards.
The competition confirms the high level of legal education at Varna Free University "Chernorizets Hrabar" and the consistent work to build practical skills in students. Just a few days ago, a team from the university qualified for participation in the prestigious "Christian Takov" civil and commercial law competition at Sofia University, which further confirms the quality of the training and the active presence of students in national academic forums.
