Meet Hristiyan Dimov, a law student at Sofia University
"St. Kliment Ohridski"- the first intern at LIBRe Foundation.
Hristiyan took part in the student competition “LIBRe Essay Contest 2016” which took place from January to May 2016 and challenged students with multidisciplinary interests to demonstrate their knowledge and creative thinking in various topics related to digital society and ICT law. His essay on "Internet of Things - Seizing the Potential and Mitigating Risks" won second prize in the contest - a paid summer internship at LIBRe Foundation specialising in ICT Law and related fields.
So the summer time at LIBRe’s office became even more fun and we are wondering why Hristiyan preferred working with us over other alternatives or a long summer vacation.
Hi, Hris, and welcome to LIBRe! How are you feeling? What are your first impressions from the atmosphere over here?
Greetings! Thanks for the warm welcome and for the opportunity to speak and be heard through LIBRe’s website. I am still adapting since I am used to the style of work typical for law firms. Research work seems to be a bit less dynamic than the law practice but far more creative and productive. I enjoy the fact that personal opinion, creative thinking, and team work are fostered here.
Tell us a little bit more about yourself and how you end up taking part in LIBRe Essay Contest 2016.
Not long ago I graduated the Technological School
"Electronic Systems" associated with the Technical University of
Sofia, "System Programming" specialty. Having this strong
technological background, I made a smooth transition to "Law" at Sofia
University, where I felt more than comfortable. I spent three academic years at
university during which I got used to meeting a scarce number of people with
similar profile and interests, so the moment I saw LIBRe’s initiative through the
University’s Law Faculty website I decided I had to participate, and so I did with
an essay on the Internet of Things and the regulatory vacuum surrounding this technology
- a topic I find quite interesting and I have been actively working on for some
time.
What made you choose ICT Law? What do you associate this field with and what do you find so attractive in it?
As I already mentioned, my technological background and my
passion for law caused my interests to vary from human rights to blockchain,
biometrics, and other digital exotics. In a natural way I started gravitating
towards the crossing point between law and technology – which is ICT law. Law
theory tends to be conservative and often scholastic. However, currently we are
lucky to witness firsthand the birth of a completely new and practically-orientated
law branch. The sole thought that I can participate in this development process
by contributing with my own ideas and stand among the pioneers in the field
makes me shiver.
Do you see yourself in the sector and how do you generally imagine your desired career development? Will it be in legal practice or in research?
I could definitely say that I plan my professional path to
continue mostly in the field of ICT Law. I think there are clear signs,
indicating the near-future expansion of the sector in Bulgaria and,
furthermore, the local environment treats me well, so I will keep searching for
opportunities here rather than abroad. When it comes to the choice between
legal practice and research work, I will give a diplomatic answer by saying
that a good lawyer should never stop expanding his/her knowledge capacity and
exploring the world around him/her. In the hyper-dynamic world, we live in,
every single day brings new social changes which a true professional should be
aware of if he/she is to survive on the market. Once you stop moving – you are
dead. On the other hand, every researcher should always be critical towards the
conventional, seek the humane aspect in his/her scientific field, and strive to
be of maximum benefit to the society they live in through his/her achievements
– which are precisely the fundamental functions of a lawyer. In the future I
will be most content if I manage to combine the best aspects of both
professions and find my golden mean.
What valuable experience are you looking to acquire during your internship in LIBRe? In what way do you think your working experience here will benefit you in the future?
Despite my recent start in LIBRe, I already had the opportunity to come face to face with some work on a couple of interesting projects, funded by the European Commission through the Seventh Framework Programme for Research / Horizon 2020. Frankly, it was quite a challenge at first, since the project’s requirements, in terms of format and content of documents, are relatively high. Nonetheless, I adopted a certain standard of work, which became more of a habit. This was of essential importance for me, since my beliefs are that during his/her professional path a professional has to adopt a set of work standards, which are not to be violated, especially when one becomes successful or reaches a respectful age. The concept of constant personal development and moderate self-criticism is something I preach. I frequently quote J.K.Simmons’ words from the brilliant Whiplash movie: “There are no two words in the English language more harmful than "Good Job”.
I have ascertained that this concept is strictly followed in LIBRe and I strongly believe that during my working experience here I will manage to transform the majority of the aforesaid principles into facts.
On the other hand, the process of research gives you confidence that there is a solution for even the most complex of problems. The key is to harness your willpower and show some creative capacity, since this will be your step ahead of your competition and since the solution often lurks just behind the corner.
Conventional legal practice doesn’t seem to include in-depth knowledge of the Internet of things or botnets yet. In what way, according to you, could a legal practitioner “survive” in the complex and dynamic world of technology?
Yes, that’s right. With an emphasis on the word “yet”. A jurist should never forget that above all Law Is a social science, since it focuses on society and human behaviour, including their transformations over time. In this sense, the legal profession inalterably includes the constant monitoring of the social cycle and the changes it goes through, including both positives and negatives. I believe that if this outlook is adopted by the legal professional they will not only ensure their constant professional development and respect among competition, but a stable financial income as well.
I share the European Union’s views that innovation and knowledge are the main catalysts for intelligent and sustainable economic growth. Technology continues to penetrate deeper and deeper in the private and public sector on a global level. Bulgaria cannot afford to look away from this clear social tendency and turn its back to the political aims of the EU (as a EU member-state). The legal profession, more than any other, has an important and a very responsible role in this social transformation process. The legislator and the legal practitioner will start to handle terms, such as: cryptocurrency, smart-contracts, big data profiling, digital antitrust, etc. on a daily basis. Meeting those public demands will require a number of training and explanatory events, but most of all – a sufficient level of willingness from the professional community.
I am encouraged by the success, accomplished by Bulgarian students in several international moot court competitions (CDRC Vienna 2016, Telders Hague 2016, Elsa European Human Rights Moot Court Competition 2016). Prizes, won in the aforesaid contests, are proof for the formation of a community of young professionals, focused on enhancing their knowledge and giving the legal profession a more prestigious and respectful character. I strongly believe, that this critical mass of people will entail a generation of competent and open-minded young legal professionals.
I would like to close this interview with a quote from the brilliant Bulgarian legal theorist and practitioner – Jivko Stalev. In 2000 he gave the following advice to his students: “Thought generates more though and the more windows to new ideas students strive to open, the more they will develop their legal thinking.” [1]
We wish Hristian much of success in the implementation of new interesting projects!
[1] 2000, Stalev J., “Law and Law Science in the Next Millennia”, Legal World 2/2000, Link: http://www.sibi.bg/mag/68@2_2000.pdf (Available in Bulgarian only)