If you are in Bulgaria without your parents or other relatives accompanying you, the Bulgarian authorities must appoint a special person responsible for your case. This person is your "lawyer" and can be either a man or a woman.
This lawyer is responsible for ensuring that your procedure is conducted properly and is tasked with protecting your rights. The Bulgarian state pays this person, so you do not have to pay anything for their help in protecting your rights.
The officer from the Refugee Agency who is in charge of your case must, no later than 7 days after your registration, give you a document that states the name of the lawyer appointed to assist you during the asylum procedure and how you can contact him or her.
Your lawyer must meet with you before the Refugee Agency invites you for an interview, in order to answer any questions you have about the procedure in Bulgaria and your case.
The lawyer is required to be present with you during all interviews with the Refugee Agency, as well as any time you are asked to sign a document. No one has the right to make you sign any documents if your lawyer is not with you.
