Born in 1981 in Sofia (Bulgaria), Mr Ivan Stoynev obtained a Master’s degree in law in 2005 from Sofiyski universitet ‘Sveti Kliment Ohridski’ (University of Sofia ‘Saint Clement of Ohrid’, Bulgaria). He continued his studies at the University of Paris-Panthéon-Assas (France), where he obtained a Master’s degree in 2007 and, in 2011, a doctorate in EU law.

Mr Stoynev began his professional career in 2008 as an in-house lawyer. From 2013 to 2026, he practised as a lawyer at the Sofia Bar (Bulgaria).

At the same time, Mr Stoynev also embarked on an academic career. From 2013 to 2018, he was a lecturer and researcher, specialising in EU law, at Sofiyski University ‘Sveti Kliment Ohridski’, where he has held the post of senior lecturer (with accreditation to supervise research) in this discipline since 2018.

Also in the context of teaching activities, from 2018 to 2022 he was in charge of the international Master’s programme in ‘European Union Law’, organised jointly by the European University Centre of the University of Lorraine and Sofiyski University ‘Sveti Kliment Ohridski’. At the latter institution, he became Chair of the Expert Committee on Social, Economic and Legal Sciences in 2019. From 2021 to 2026, he taught legal French at the Institut Française de Bulgarie (French Institute of Bulgaria). From 2024 to 2026, he served as a national expert at the National Agency for Evaluation and Accreditation, responsible for the recognition of higher education qualifications in law obtained abroad.

Mr Stoynev is the author of numerous legal works and publications in the fields of EU law, competition law, the internal market and energy law.

Mr Stoynev was appointed as a Judge at the General Court of the European Union on 7 October 2026.

Membership of legal, cultural, artistic, social, sports or charitable foundations, organisations or establishments

Secretary-General of the Bulgarian Association of International Law

Member of the Board of Directors of the Bulgarian Competition Association

Member of the editorial board of the journal Advokatski pregled

Titles and awards

Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes académiques, appointed by the French Ministry of National Education and Youth (2023)