The trial
The trial before the judge usually follows a standard procedure. Arrange the steps of the UKtrial procedure chronologically. Compare with the situation in Bulgaria.
The defendant’s lawyer calls the defendant’s witnesses to testify, examines them and then they arecross-examined by the claimant’s lawyer;
The claimant’s lawyer calls the claimant’s witnesses and examines them. They are then crossexaminedby the defendant’s lawyer, in order to test the truth of what each witness says on oath;
The claimant’s lawyer makes an opening speech, stating the issue to be resolved and explaininghow it is proposed to prove the points in question;
The defendant’s lawyer makes a speech to the judge bringing to notice the relevant points of lawand asks for judgment in favour of the defendant;
The judge makes a decision. If sitting alone, the judge will give judgment which is then entered onthe court records. If a jury is present, the judge will instruct its members on the facts of the law andask them to consider their verdict.
The claimant’s lawyer makes a speech in reply setting out the claimant’s arguments and asks forjudgment in favour of the claimant.