Round Table Conference on The Consumer Rights in The Digital Sphere

The Private Legal Studies Department of the Law Faculty and the International Legal Advice Center (ILAC) by the assistance of the Information Technologies and Communications Department and the Public Administration Department organized Round Table Conference on the Consumer Rights in the Digital Sphere. In the Forum took part representatives of the academic circles, IT sector, Commission on Consumer Protection, Professional Mediators Association, Active Consumers Association, etc.

In the Large Conference Hall

At the opening of the Round Table Conference attended Prof. D.Sc. (Econ.) Statty Stattev, Rector of the university, Assoc. Prof. D.Sc.(Law) Jivko Draganov, Dean of the Law Faculty, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miroslav Dimitrov, Head of the Private Legal Studies Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Valkov, Head of the Public Administration Department, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tanya Yosifova from the Private Legal Studies Department, moderator for the Forum, Prof. Dr. Kamelia Kasabova, Chairwoman of the Conciliation Commission on Payment Disputes (CCPD), Dimitar Margaritov, Chaiman of the Commission on Consumer Protection, judge Lyubka Stoyanova, Deputy Chairwoman of the Administrative Court Sofia City, lawyer Ginka Hristova, lawyer at the International Legal Advice Center (ILAC), etc.

Mr. Margaritov, Assoc. Prof. Yosifova, Prof. Stattev, judge Stoyanova, lawyer Hristova (from the left to the right) at the opening of the Round Table Conference

Today`s Round Table Conference is the consecutive emblematic step to the integration of the university and academic science with the practice because the Forum is held jointly by three Departments of three different Faculties, outlined Prof. Stattev.

Even if we divide the issue it will stay a question of present interest in its both component parts – about the consumer rights and about the problems of digital sphere, pointed out the Rector. Prof. Stattev announced that an agreement of cooperation between the UNWE and the Commission on Consumer Protection would be signed and it would assist for better integration of efforts of both institutions of national importance. He also clarified that he had invited the Chairman of the Commission on Consumer Protection to deliver a public lecture at the UNWE.

The Rector Prof. Stattev is greeting the participants in the Forum

Prof. Stattev expressed his thankfulness to the participants in the Round Table Conference as well as his confidence that the conclusions and solutions of the Forum would become known to all institutions related to the issues.

The law is the base for the organization of society, outlined Assoc. Prof, Jivko Draganov who pointed out that the topic of the Round Table Conference had been very important and the results of it would give a clear vision about the issues in the field of consumer rights in the digital sphere.

Assoc. Prof. Draganov

The unjustified practices, gaps in the legislation, misinterpretation, traps and malicious intents of companies and associations, internet and social networks as well as the risks for consumers were commented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Miroslav Dimitrov.

Доц. Димитров

The university education in the field of digital competence and the Master`s degree programme on Electronic Government – the first one in Bulgaria - were presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alexander Valkov. He expressed his hope that the topic wouldn`t be discussed incidentally and it would become part of the university scientific life.

Assoc. Prof. Valkov (on the right)

The issues of e-government and the incorporation of system for electronic government, difficulties because of the lack of special knowledge were featured by the judge Lyubka Stefanova. Lawyer Ginka Hristova spoke about the general initiative between the law experts focused on scientific elaborations of legal theses as well as about their social reflection, implementation of regulations in relation to the internet, IP protection, etc.

Judge Stoyanova and lawyer Hristova (from the left to the right)

The main report on the Practical Issues of Payment Services was delivered by Prof. Dr. Kamelia Kasabova during the first session of the Forum. About the electronic conclusion of contracts, specifics of consumer protection, consumer trust in the e-trade and about the most frequent threats spoke Dimitar Margaritov.

Prof. Kamelia Kasabova and Prof. Statty Stattev