An important amendment to the Polish Code of Civil Procedure is set to come into force this year. Its main purpose is to speed up the hearing of cases in civil proceedings.

What will change?

• A principle of a single trial in a case will be introduced. If this takes longer than one day, the dates are to be set day by day.
• A business procedure expected to close within six months will apply to litigation between parties engaged in business.
• Litigation involving consumers will become simpler as claims against businesses will be able to be filed with the court having jurisdiction over the consumer’s place of residence. Lawsuits against consumers will be filed by businesses with the court having jurisdiction over the defendant’s place of residence.

Although, in principle, these changes are welcomed, in practice there are many voices saying that this amendment falls short of a profound reform of the system that would dramatically simplify and modernise the civil procedure.