Ivailo Dermendzhiev, chairman of the Supreme Bar Council is to be one of the European Commission’s representatives as arbitrator in disputes connected with the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The process of selecting the arbitrators spanned more than a year, with a special committee selected by the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the UK selecting the most suitable candidates.

Talking to the Bulgarian news agency BTA, Ivailo Dermendzhiev stated that his election came as recognition for him and for Bulgaria, as there are countries which are not represented by their own arbitrators. He was nominated by the European Commission.

The arbitration is among countries, not companies, and has to be completed within the space of several months. If an EU member country has any claims, it submits them to the European Commission, and the EU examines the case and launches a procedure against the UK on behalf of the member country in question.