how to become a lawyer in poland

by Ms. Dulce Rowe PhD 8 min read

Often asked: How To Become A Lawyer In Poland?

  • Magister’s degree in law followed by apprenticeship (Polish: aplikacja) and bar exam;
  • Magister’s degree in law followed by five years of legal professional experience and bar exam;
  • Doctorate in law followed by either bar exam or three years of legal professional experience;

Full Answer

What is an attorney at law in Poland?

An attorney at law can be anyone who has completed a Masters of Law degree in Poland or an equivalent foreign law degree recognised in Poland. Such a person should enjoy full public rights, he or she should have full capacity to act, be of impeccable character and have completed his or her legal training with an exam in Poland.

What can you do with a Polish law degree?

Polish lawyers may work in licensed legal professions, public administration, law enforcement, tax services and governmental agencies.

What are the main activities at our law firm in Poland?

Litigation and arbitration are some of the main activities at our law firm in Poland and we assist clients throughout the process, regardless of the areas in which the dispute arises.

What is the role of a legal agent in Poland?

Because an agent can act for any person under Polish law, some lawyers do what in the UK is done by solicitors. Thus, specialized persons write legal agreements, conduct negotiations, or execute debts. Polish law expressly permits persons with Magister's degree in law to provide legal counselling.

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The distinction between advocates and attorneys at law

The division adwokat / radca prawny was created by a 1959 law which forbade advocates from advising socialised economy units (primarily state enterprises, and cooperatives, which were the dominant form of economic activity in the People's Republic of Poland ), and introduced the new profession of radca prawny for that purpose.

Admission to practice law

There are no bar associations for judges and public prosecutors - the Ministry of Justice is in charge of the administration of the professions (judges are appointed by the President). Advocates, attorneys at law, notaries, bailiffs, patent attorneys, and tax advisors do have their bar associations.

Lawyers who are not members of any bar association

Many jurists do not practice law in the strict sense. They may work in public administration (which has its own highly legalized proceedings), the police (which prosecute small crimes), tax services and similar governmental agencies.

Sample law firms in Poland

There are numerous law firms in Poland, both small local firms and affiliate or branch offices of international law firms. Most international law firms have their Polish offices in Warsaw. Currently, a trend can be noticed that in Poland more and more law firms specialize in specific areas of law .

What does "lawyer" mean in Russia?

A “Lawyer” as a “Person who practices law” or as a “Person who is certified as a defense attorney ”?#N#Yes, in Russia it means different things. You can represent other people in court for profit without being an attorney in all cases except criminal. Hell, you don’t even have to have a degree in law to do it (unless the case is subject to administrative procedure, such as a case between citizen and a state organisation. Code of Administrative Proceedings is the newest one and in it they made it mandatory for representatives to have a legal education to represent citizens in court). Because this is the way we interpret freedom of judicial protection as in Article 45 of Russian Constitution: everyone has the right to protect his rights by any means not explicitly prohibited by law. So if a person thinks that a total layperson without a day in court can protect his rights better than a professional lawyer, who we are to force him come to the closed guild of monopolists and pay overpriced fees to hire a lawyer?#N#This changes slowly. There is a tendency to increase requirements for a court representatives to the point of making it available to the lawyers as a members of a bar association only. The process is slow, and receives a lot of protests from other lobbyists, but it seems that they will succeed.

How to get into law school with a B?

Get your Bachelor's Degree at a university, try to at least get a B average. Then you have to take the LSAT ( Law Student Achievement Test, can look up on line when and where they are given, try to get a high score (look up on line what the score percentages are and what you need to get into law school). Then apply to the Law Schools you would like to go too at least 6 months before the next semester starts, (look up the law schools on Line for this and see what they require and when). You will need two letters of recommendation like from a employer, professor etc. (it can’t be from a family member or relative). Simply just do what the university tells you to do, they will send you packets to fill out and send back). Then just wait to see if you are accepted. Now, there is another way also, if you have a Associate degree, you can apply for law schools that you can only practice in the state in which you live in and after the first year, there is a test called the Baby Bar and you have to pass it with a C or better to continue on, You also have to take the LSAT for this also. And also sometimes if you have worked in the law field for say a lawyer as a paralegal or doing discovery for a lawyer etc for a few years, then you don’t need an AA or Bachelor. You still need the letters of recommendation and if you have to have AA or Bachelor, it can be in any subject, just not law classes. And you still need to take the First year Baby Bar before you can continue. The LSAT is about a 5 hour test and it’s not easy and it’s not about law, it’s about a breath of education, not easy, and a writing sample at the end to see how you think analytically. Go on line for practice tests on the LSAT, and see what law schools require and have them send you packets to enroll and when to do each one of these things I told you about, the LSAT is not cheap, I think it might be at Least $500 now and that is with a parking pass, make sure you are on time with all of this, or you are out, they don’t tolerate late enrollment or late to the LSAT, if you are a minute late, you can’t get in and you will have lost all your money. Good luck, hope this has helped you. Look all the law schools up on line that you might be interested in and send for a packet to see what they require, when and how.

What is Polish labor law?

The Polish Labor Law is to be understood and observed by all investors in the country who hire personnel. The work regulations, the manner in which trade unions functions, the worker’s benefits, and remuneration, as well as the template for an employment contract, can all be discussed with the help of our lawyers.

What are our main company formation services in Poland?

Our offer includes a complete package for the establishment of a new company in Poland. We can help our clients choose from the different types of Polish structures, in order for their business to be created exactly as they please. Our offer will also include additional services, complementary to the incorporation such as company domiciliation, accounting services, and many others.

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What is the judicial system in Poland?

Judiciary of Poland. Judiciary of Poland is a responsibility, as defined by the constitution of Poland, of a four-tier court system: the Supreme Court of Poland, the common courts, administrative courts (including the Supreme Administrative Court of Poland) and military courts. Therefore, tribunals (such as the Constitutional Tribunal ...

What is the ruling party in Poland?

The ruling party is generally accused, in Poland as well as internationally, of trying to take control over the courts. There were cases of judges being submitted to disciplinary action after issuing a ruling opposite to the party's interest or demands of the prosecutor in the particular case.

Which countries have suspended the surrender of Polish citizens?

Also courts in Germany, Ireland, Slovakia and Spain, due to doubts as to the independence of courts in Poland, suspend the surrender of Polish citizens.

How long do you have to live in Poland to become a citizen?

There are many ways to be recognised as a Polish citizen and by saying “many ways” we really mean it. 1. You have to live continuously in Poland for at least 3 years, your stay is based on an establishment permit, an EC residence permit if you are considered as a long-term resident or based on a permanent residence permit – by ...

How to get Polish citizenship?

Ways of obtaining Polish citizenship. Polish citizenship can be acquired in the following ways: 1. By law . 2. By recognition as a Polish citizen. 3. By granting the Polish citizenship. 4.

What to do if the President of Poland likes you?

If the President of the Republic of Poland really likes you or thinks you deserve Polish citizenship for whatever the reason is, the only thing you have to do is to submit a written request or make your legal representatives to do it if you are a minor. As soon as the President signs the papers, the citizenship is acquired.

What happens if your father holds Polish citizenship?

1. The acquisition by law. According to the law, if your mother or your father holds Polish citizenship, you get one as well. If your parents are unknown or don’t hold any citizenship and by any chance, you were found or born on the territory of the Republic of Poland – the rule stays the same.

How long do you have to live in Poland?

2. You have to live continuously in Poland for at least 2 years but first, you have to find a lovely person you want to marry (and wants to marry you!) and you have to remain in that state for at least 3 years. 3.

Can a child adopt a Polish citizen?

A child adopted by a person that is a holder of Polish citizenship acquires it as well, but only if the adoption process has been completed before the child turned 16. As a result, the child is considered to possess a Polish citizenship from the very start of their life. 2. By recognition as a Polish citizen.

How old do you have to be to get citizenship?

If you have children between the ages of 16 and 18 , they must give their consent for you to be able to apply for their citizenship. They must do it in person at a Provincial Office or a consulate.

Can you appeal a decision of the President of Poland?

You cannot appeal. Decisions of the President of the Republic of Poland are final.

How long does it take to become a Polish citizen?

For example, if you are married to a Polish national, you can apply for citizenship after 2 years.

Who can call up a citizenship application in Poland?

Tip: At any point during the review process, the President can call up a citizenship application to review directly. The President also has the power to grant citizenship to anyone, regardless of how long they've lived in Poland.

What happens if Polish citizens immigrate to Israel?

For example, if your ancestor immigrated to Israel, they would not have automatically lost their Polish citizenship or been forced to renounce it. However, if they served in the Israeli military they might have lost their Polish citizenship. Until 1951, Polish citizens who served in a foreign military lost their Polish citizenship. Exceptions are made for anyone who fought in World War II.

How to identify a Polish citizen?

Poland recognizes "right of blood" citizenship, which means if at least one of your parents is a Polish citizen when you were born , you are a Polish citizen . You can trace this back through generations. However, the initial Polish citizen on which your citizenship is based must have lived in Poland after 1920, when Poland became an independent country.#N#For example, suppose your maternal grandfather was a Polish citizen who immigrated to the US in the 1930s. Because of his Polish citizenship, your mother would be considered a Polish citizen. Because your mother was a Polish citizen (even if she didn't claim her citizenship rights), you qualify for Polish citizenship by descent.

How to find Polish citizenship?

You can search online for agencies in your home country that help Polish descendants confirm their Polish citizenship. You can also talk to people who successfully confirmed their Polish citizenship and get recommendations for agencies to use.

What is a voivode decision?

A voivode decision is considered "declaratory," meaning that there's no such thing as a final denial. If you find and submit additional documents or information to support your case, the decision may change.

When did Polish citizenship become independent?

You can trace this back through generations. However, the initial Polish citizen on which your citizenship is based must have lived in Poland after 1920 , when Poland became an independent country. For example, suppose your maternal grandfather was a Polish citizen who immigrated to the US in the 1930s.

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The Profession of An Attorney at Law in Poland

How to Become An Attorney at Law

  • An attorney at law can be anyone who has completed a Masters of Law degree in Poland or an equivalent foreign law degree recognised in Poland. Such a person should enjoy full public rights, he or she should have full capacity to act, be of impeccable character and have completed his or her legal training with an exam in Poland. Some people may gain...
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The Bar

  • The bar is made up of all attorneys at law and trainee attorneys at law, whereby their membership is obligatory. The Law on Attorneys at law ensures that the bar is autonomous in carrying out its tasks, which include, inter alia, cooperation with state authorities in the formulation and application of law, ensuring conditions for carrying out the statutory tasks of attorneys at law, ru…
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Disciplinary Responsibility

  • Attorneys at law and trainees are held responsible for any conduct which is contrary to law, ethical principles or the dignity of profession. The disciplinary bodies at the regional level are regional disciplinary ombudsmen, who carry out investigations, and regional disciplinary courts, which hear cases. At the national level there is the Main Disciplinary Ombudsman and the Higher Disciplinar…
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Contact

  • Foreign Affairs Committee Al. Ujazdowskie 18/4 00-478 Warszawa T: +48 22 821 99 71 ext. 110 F: +48 22 319 56 16 e-mail: ciesielski@kirp.pl
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Overview

In Poland, any person holding a Magister's degree in law (Polish: magister prawa) is called a "jurist" or "lawyer" (Polish: prawnik). According to Polish legal doctrine, a lawyer should be understood as a person who graduated from law school with the aforementioned degree, even if such a person does not practice law after graduation.

Lawyers

Polish lawyers may work in licensed legal professions, public administration, law enforcement, tax services and governmental agencies. Additionally, since a legal entity can be represented in a court of law by its employees, companies do not employ advocates or attorneys-at-law but instead rely on in-house lawyers, counsellors or associates not admitted to the bar.
Because an agent can act for any person under Polish law, some lawyers do what in the UK is don…

Licensed legal professions

The licensed legal professions are as follows:
• judge (Polish: sędzia);
• prosecutor (Polish: prokurator), a legal representative of the State, except for trials involving the Treasury, their primary duties include prosecution, supervision over police investigations and acting on behalf of public interest in all trials;

Standard of courtesy - Mecenas

In modern Polish language, mecenas is an honorific title addressed to a person working in a legal profession and authorised to appear in a court of law on behalf of a client.
In the 16th-century, lawyers of that time were called procuratores mercenarii, i.e. paid substitutes in litigation. In this way, they were distinguished from non-professional substitutes called procuratores. From the phrase procuratores mercenarii, the term mecenas was created by grad…

The distinction between advocates and attorneys at law

The division between adwokat and radca prawny was created by a 1959 law that forbade advocates from advising socialised economy units (primarily state enterprises and cooperatives, which were the dominant form of economic activity in the People's Republic of Poland) and introduced the new profession of radca prawny for that purpose.
Advocates and attorneys at law have their independent bar associations (both are members of the Council …

Admission to practice law

There are no bar associations for judges and public prosecutors. The Ministry of Justice is in charge of the administration of the professions, while the President of the Republic of Poland appoints judges. Advocates, attorneys at law, notaries, bailiffs, patent attorneys, and tax advisors have their bar associations.
There are several ways of admission to the bar. As to advocates and attorneys at law, the follow…

See also

• List of Polish lawyers
• European lawyer
• Admission to practice law
• List of law faculties in Poland