Commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, including enforcement of foreign judgments.
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Arbitration is often faster, private, and internationally enforceable under the New York Convention. Your lawyer can advise which route is better for your dispute.
EU judgments are generally enforceable across member states. Non-EU judgments require a separate recognition process. A litigation lawyer can advise.
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Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsCivil procedure in Poland is governed by the Kodeks postępowania cywilnego (KPC) (Code of Civil Procedure, Dz.U. 1964 Nr 43 poz. 296, consolidated 2024). The court system has two levels of jurisdiction in civil matters: Sąd Rejonowy (district court) for claims up to 75,000 PLN (as of 2019 amendment raising threshold from 10,000 PLN), and Sąd Okręgowy (regional court) for claims above 75,000 PLN and special categories (KPC art. 17).
| Claim Value | Court Fee (opłata sądowa) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 500 PLN | 30 PLN | Ustawa o kosztach sądowych w sprawach cywilnych (UKSSC) art. 13 |
| 501 – 1,500 PLN | 100 PLN | UKSSC art. 13 |
| 1,501 – 4,000 PLN | 200 PLN | UKSSC art. 13 |
| 4,001 – 7,500 PLN | 400 PLN | UKSSC art. 13 |
| 7,501 – 15,000 PLN | 500 PLN | UKSSC art. 13 |
| 15,001 – 40,000 PLN | 750 PLN | UKSSC art. 13 |
| 40,001 – 75,000 PLN | 1,000 PLN | UKSSC art. 13 |
| 75,001 – 100,000 PLN | 3,000 PLN | UKSSC art. 13; 5% formula applies above this |
| Above 100,000 PLN | 5% of claim (max 200,000 PLN) | UKSSC art. 13 §1; cap introduced by amendment |
The Elektroniczne Postępowanie Upominawcze (EPU) — e-Sąd based in Lublin — handles money claims via a fully online process. Available for claims up to 75,000 PLN with no more than 3 defendants. Filing fee: 1.25% of claim value (reduced). Processing time: typically 2–4 weeks for a nakaz zapłaty (payment order) if defendant does not contest. If defendant files a sprzeciw (objection), the case is transferred to the competent Sąd Rejonowy for full proceedings. Since 2023, the system processes approximately 500,000 cases per year.
Mediation in Poland is governed by KPC arts. 183¹–183¹⁵ (Ustawa z 28 VII 2005 o zmianie ustawy — Kodeks postępowania cywilnego). Courts may refer parties to mediation; courts may also order a mediation referral meeting (KPC art. 183⁸ §1). Settlement reached in mediation and approved by court has the force of a court judgment. Mediator fees: typically 150–300 PLN/hour; or 1% of claim value (min. 30 PLN). The Sąd Polubowny przy KNF (Financial Ombudsman Court) provides ADR for banking and insurance disputes.
After obtaining a tytuł wykonawczy (enforceable title — judgment + court's enforcement clause, klauzula wykonalności), enforcement is carried out by a komornik sądowy (bailiff). Methods: zajęcie wynagrodzenia (wage garnishment, up to 50% net); zajęcie rachunku bankowego (bank account freeze); zajęcie i sprzedaż ruchomości (seizure and sale of movables); egzekucja z nieruchomości (real property auction — lengthy, 1–3 years). Komornik fees: regulated by Ustawa o komornikach sądowych 2018; typically 10% of collected amount (minimum 150 PLN, maximum 50,000 PLN per enforcement action).
A Poznań manufacturer was owed 180,000 PLN by a retailer for delivered goods (umowa sprzedaży). Wezwanie do zapłaty sent (KPC pre-litigation step). Retailer ignored. Sąd Okręgowy jurisdiction (>75,000 PLN). Nakaz zapłaty (payment order in postępowanie nakazowe — KPC art. 484, based on invoices and delivery notes): granted in 3 weeks. Retailer filed zarzuty (objections to nakaz zapłaty): full trial commenced. Trial duration: 8 months. Judgment in claimant's favour for 180,000 PLN + 8% statutory interest (UPDOP referencing art. 481 KC) + 10,800 PLN court fee + 10,800 PLN legal costs. Komornik enforcement: bank account zajęcie; full sum recovered in 6 weeks post-judgment. Total time: 14 months from dispute to recovery.
