Bulgaria's justice ministry is working on changes to laws and codes to stop property fraud, justice minister Nikolay Naydenov said at the Notary Chamber's professional holiday, the ministry's press office said.

The main aim is to protect vulnerable groups, Naydenov said. He said the ministry, the chamber and all interested parties are working together on changes to the Inheritance Act, the Civil Procedure Code, the Family Code, the Obligations and Contracts Act, the Property Act and the Civil Registration Act.

The Institute for Professional Training and Development of the Notary Profession, or NOTA, began work at the event. The minister said it could turn theoretical training into a working tool against property fraud.

"NOTA can also be an advisory platform to discuss legislative proposals. These can help the justice ministry when it prepares analyses of compliance and impact assessments of rules on the electronic notary system and the digitalisation of procedures," Naydenov said.

Many young people are choosing the notary profession to work for the benefit of citizens and business, the minister said.

Notary Luiza Stoeva, chair of the Council of Notaries, and lawyer Stefan Marchev, chair of the Supreme Bar Council, addressed the notaries and foreign guests. Greetings also came from Bario del Olmo, president of the Notary Chamber of the Kingdom of Spain, Assoc. Prof. Boryana Museva, a member of the management board of the "Krastyu Tsonchev" Lawyers' Training Centre Foundation, and representatives of the academic community.

In August, the ministry proposed tougher rules on wills, property deals, powers of attorney and the acquisition of property through long-term possession.