The Appointment of Prince Dondoukoff-Korsakoff

After the Treaty of San Stefano, Russia was responsible for organising the civil government of Bulgaria. The choice fell on Prince Dondoukoff-Korsakoff, who was appointed as Commissary-General. Originally, he was given two years to complete this important task. However, the Treaty of Berlin (1878) shortened this period to only nine months, making his work much more difficult.

The First Administrative Council

To begin his mission, Korsakoff established an administrative council, which can be considered the first form of civil government in Bulgaria after the war. This council consisted of six members, each in charge of an important department:

Commissary’s chancery and diplomatic correspondence

Military affairs

Interior administration

Justice

Finance

Public instruction and religions

This was a significant step forward, as it gave Bulgaria its first organised governing body in modern times.

Division of Northern and Southern Bulgaria

For practical purposes, Northern Bulgaria was provisionally divided into sixteen departments, which were further subdivided into thirty-two districts Istanbul Daily Tour.

Southern Bulgaria, however, was treated differently. Known as Eastern Roumelia, it was given a special status under the Treaty of Berlin and placed under a separate administrative arrangement.

Judicial Reforms and the Provisional Rules

One of the most important achievements during this period was the reform of the judiciary system. The chief of the judiciary section, Lucanoff, created a commission to prepare regulations for justice. The result of their work was the document called “Provisional Rules for the Organisation of Justice in Bulgaria.”

These rules were officially proclaimed at Plovdiv on August 24, 1878. They introduced a completely new system of justice, replacing the old Ottoman institutions, most of which existed only in name.

Structure of the New Judiciary

Under the new rules, justice was placed in the hands of Councils of Elders and various courts.

Councils of Elders were created in every commune, giving local communities a voice in justice and administration.

Ordinary courts included district courts and departmental courts, the latter acting as courts of appeal.

Exceptional jurisdictions were also recognised. These included administrative, military, religious, and Mahommedan courts, each with specific responsibilities.

The work of Prince Dondoukoff-Korsakoff and his council laid the foundations of Bulgaria’s modern administration and judiciary system. Although his time was limited by the Treaty of Berlin, the establishment of councils, departments, and new courts marked a decisive break from the Ottoman past and gave Bulgaria the framework for its future as an independent principality.