An application has been filed with the Constitutional Tribunal concerning an amendment to Poland’s Supreme Court law. The filing comes from the presidential office, as confirmed by Małgorzata Paprocka, a minister within the president’s chancellery. The amendment, recently passed by parliament, is described by supporters as a crucial step toward meeting milestones tied to the national recovery plan and the broader goal of aligning Poland with expectations from the European Union.
The central aim of the proposed changes is to reallocate certain judicial responsibilities. Specifically, the draft legislation would have disciplinary and immunity cases involving judges decided by the Supreme Administrative Court rather than by the Professional Liability Chamber of the Supreme Court as is currently the case. In addition, the amendment introduces wide reforms to how the judiciary’s independence and impartiality are reviewed, signaling a shift in how accountability and transparency are monitored at the highest levels of the court system.
The president’s position on judicial stability
Earlier this year, the Sejm approved the amendment to the Supreme Court law. In late January, the Senate offered 14 changes, which the Sejm chose not to adopt. The measure then moved to the presidential office. On February 10, the president announced his decision to refer the amendment to the Constitutional Tribunal for preventive scrutiny. He also urged the judges of the Constitutional Court to address the matter without delay.
During remarks at that time, the president emphasized that the amendment touches on foundational systemic issues. He argued these issues concern the long-term stability of the judiciary and the rulings that have shaped Polish law over many years. He described them as matters of significant importance to citizens and public confidence in the legal system.
In his view, the Constitutional Tribunal is the sole body empowered to clarify any doubts surrounding the reform and to provide a decisive ruling that would settle questions about the legality and implications of the changes.
Impact on funding and the European Union timeline
The president noted that submitting the amendment to the Constitutional Tribunal is not expected to delay the flow of funds from the European Union’s program for Poland. He pointed out that the agreement with the European Commission outlines additional steps and legal acts that must be taken, and that such steps take time regardless of the tribunal process. In practical terms, this means the flow of funds via the national recovery plan will proceed according to the established timetable, with necessary actions occurring in parallel to accommodate both national and EU requirements.
On the day the submission was announced, a member of the president’s chancellery confirmed that the application had been filed with the Constitutional Tribunal, signaling the first formal step in a complex review process that could shape the direction of Poland’s judiciary for years to come.
Observers note that the discussion surrounding the Supreme Court reform touches many layers of governance. It intersects with constitutional guarantees, the balance of powers among branches of government, and the responsibilities of the judiciary in upholding the law while maintaining public trust. The trajectory of the case will likely attract close attention from legal scholars, policymakers, and international partners who watch how Poland navigates its commitments to the EU and the rule of law.
Experts familiar with the reforms emphasize that the tribunal’s interpretation will have wide-ranging implications. If the court upholds the fundamental design of the amendment, it could set a precedent for how similar reforms are approached in the future. If, however, the tribunal identifies constitutional concerns, remedial measures could be pursued to reconcile reform aims with core constitutional principles. In either scenario, the ruling is expected to provide clarity on the judiciary’s independence and the mechanisms by which it is overseen and disciplined.
The debate around the Supreme Court reform continues to unfold in parliamentary halls and ministry offices, drawing inputs from legal professionals, constitutional scholars, and representatives of governmental institutions. The central theme remains the same: safeguarding judicial independence while ensuring accountability, and doing so in a way that aligns with European standards and Polish constitutional traditions.
As Poland proceeds with the delicate process of reform, stakeholders anticipate a decision from the Constitutional Tribunal that will define the next phase of the judiciary’s evolution. The outcome will influence ongoing discussions about the rule of law, EU funding timelines, and the broader health of Poland’s constitutional order in the years ahead.