Maria Derelieva has graduated from Sofia University, Faculty of Law and since 2012 is a member of the Sofia Bar Association. Before she joined the firm, Mariya practiced law within state authorities. As legal expert with the Legal Department of the State Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (SEWRC) she consulted the issuance of licenses and price decisions in the electricity energy sector and provided legal representation in numerous appeal proceedings before the Supreme Administrative Court. As legal expert with the SEWRC she participated in expert groups for the implementation of the European Union’s Third Energy Package in the Bulgarian legislation. Mariya has also worked as legal counsel of the Ministry of Finance where she represented the Bulgarian state in numerous court and arbitration proceedings. In particular, she was specialized in the preparation of the position of the Bulgarian state in international arbitration disputes initiated under the ICC arbitration rules, UNICITRAL arbitration rules and the Energy Charter.

Her main areas of expertise are dispute resolution, both domestic and international arbitration proceedings, appeals of administrative acts, energy law, administrative procedures before the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, corporate and commercial law, health care law. At the firm Mariya advises clients on corporate and regulatory matters and as litigator represents clients in administrative and commercial cases. In particular, she advises major energy producers as TEC Bobov dol, Brikel, Toplofikatcia Ruse and represents them in court proceedings before the administrative courts for appeal of price decisions and other administrative acts of SWERC as well as in commercial disputes for unpaid energy and balance energy prices before courts and arbitrations. Her experience includes consultation for Telerik, the most successful Bulgarian software development company, advising agricultural companies Winslow Group and Ceres on merger and acquisition deals, advising Hill clinic and On Clinic on daily basis regarding corporate and regulatory matters.

Areas of practice

Corporate and Commercial law
Energy law & Natural resources
Administrative Law and Appeals
Dispute Resolution and Arbitration