European e-Justice Portal

Organisation of justice – judicial systems

Chapter VIII of the Polish Constitution deals with courts and tribunals and lists the authorities vested in the administration of justice in Poland, namely:

Supreme Court (Sąd Najwyższy)
Common courts (sądy powszechne)
Administrative courts (sądy administracyjne)
Military courts (sądy wojskowe).

Administration of courts

Types of courts – short description

The system of common courts includes the appellate (sądy apelacyjne), provincial (sądy okręgowe) and district courts (sądy rejonowe). These courts decide, among other things, cases concerning criminal, civil, family and juvenile law, commercial law, labour and social security laws – except for cases vested in other special courts (e.g. military). Common courts also keep land and mortgage registers as well as the pledge register, National Court Register, and National Criminal Register.

The system of administrative courts includes the High Administrative Court (Naczelny Sąd Administracyjny) and regional administrative courts – one per voivodeship or region (wojewódzkie sądy administracyjne).

The Supreme Court (Sąd Najwyższy) is the highest judicial authority in Poland. It exercises judicial supervision over the decisions of all other courts, ensuring consistency in the interpretation of laws and judicial practice. The Supreme Court is not a common court.

In the Polish law system, the Constitutional Tribunal (Trybunał Konstytucyjny) is not considered a common court. The Constitutional Tribunal adjudicates:

On the constitutionality of national legislation and international agreements
On the compliance of national legislation with international agreements, whose ratification is required prior to approval by Parliament
On compliance with the Constitution of legal regulations issued by central state authorities, ratified international agreements and legislative Acts
On the constitutionality of the objectives or activities of political parties
On constitutional complaints.

The Tribunal of State (Trybunał Stanu) adjudicates cases in which persons who occupy (or have occupied) the highest positions of state are charged with violation of the Constitution or other legislative Acts.

Hierarchy of courts

District courts (sądy rejonowe) – generally first instance
Provincial (sądy okręgowe) – appeal or first instance in certain cases
Appellate (sądy apelacyjne) – appeal
The Supreme Court – the highest judicial authority.

Legal databases

You can find links to information about all common courts, their websites and contact details (addresses, phone numbers, e-mails etc.) on the website of the Polish Ministry of Justice (information on courts).

Last update: 10/12/2012

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National justice systems

Organisation of justice – judicial systems

Administration of courts

Hierarchy of courts

Legal databases