A Polish lawyer who takes the whole case
Foreign creditors often tell me the same story: the Polish debtor stopped replying, the court works only in Polish, and it is hard to find a lawyer in Poland who answers e-mails and explains things clearly. I take over the case in Poland and handle it from start to finish:
- Assessment and recommendation. I review your contract, invoices and correspondence, check the debtor in Polish public registers and tell you in writing whether the case is worth pursuing, which route I recommend and what it may cost.
- All documents in Polish. I prepare the demand letter, the statement of claim and all motions. I arrange sworn translations where the court needs them.
- Court representation before courts in all of Poland, at all instances.
- Enforcement. After the judgment I file the application with a court bailiff (komornik), point out the debtor's assets and supervise the enforcement.
- Regular updates in English. You receive a short update after every important step: letters sent, hearings, court decisions, money recovered. You always know where your case is.
Step by step
- Send the documents. Contract or order, invoices, delivery or acceptance documents, e-mails with the debtor. A short description is enough to start.
- Assessment and fee proposal. You receive my assessment, the recommended route and a fee proposal before any work is charged.
- Power of attorney. I send you a ready template. A scan is enough to start the pre-court stage; for court proceedings the original is sent by post.
- Demand letter in Polish. A formal letter from a Polish lawyer is often enough to get paid or to start settlement talks.
- Court. If the debtor does not pay, I file the claim – usually in a fast payment order procedure. If there is a risk that the debtor will hide assets, I can ask the court to secure the claim before the judgment.
- Enforcement. With an enforceable judgment I start enforcement through a court bailiff and keep you informed until the case is closed.
You already have a judgment from your country?
A judgment from another EU member state can generally be enforced in Poland without a separate court procedure – you need the judgment and the standard certificate issued by the court that gave it. A judgment from outside the EU must first be declared enforceable by a Polish court. I handle both: from checking the documents and translations to enforcement by a bailiff.
Business claims: interest and EUR 40–100 compensation
In commercial transactions between businesses, Polish law gives the creditor statutory interest for late payment and a fixed compensation for recovery costs: EUR 40 (claims up to PLN 5,000), EUR 70 (above PLN 5,000 and below PLN 50,000) or EUR 100 (PLN 50,000 or more). Claims related to business activity are usually time-barred after three years (the period ends on the last day of a calendar year), so it is better not to wait.
Defrauded by a person or company in Poland?
Sometimes non-payment is not a business dispute but fraud – for example goods ordered with no intention to pay, an advance paid for something that was never delivered, or a company that disappears after taking the money. In such cases I can:
- prepare and file a criminal complaint with the Polish police or prosecutor on your behalf,
- represent you as the injured party during the investigation and as an auxiliary prosecutor in court,
- ask the criminal court to order the offender to repair the damage.
Hiding assets to avoid paying creditors can also be a criminal offence in Poland. Criminal and civil proceedings can run in parallel – I advise which route, or which combination, makes sense in your case. A criminal complaint is not a debt collection tool, so I recommend it only where the facts justify it.
Language and communication
We communicate in English by e-mail, phone and video call (Teams, Meet, Zoom, WhatsApp). Proceedings before Polish courts are conducted in Polish; for court documents, key letters and hearings I work with sworn translators and interpreters, so nothing important is lost in translation.
Fees
Fees are agreed individually and in writing before the work starts. They depend on the value of the claim, the stage of the case and the location of the court. A success fee can be agreed in addition to the base fee. Court fees, translations and bailiff's costs are charged separately; I estimate them in advance. If you win, the court usually orders the debtor to reimburse part of your legal costs.
Polish version: Sprawy o zapłatę. Other matters in Poland: representation in Poland.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to come to Poland?
Usually not. The whole case can be handled by e-mail, phone and video calls. Your presence may be needed only if the court decides to hear you as a witness or a party – I will tell you well in advance.
How long does it take to recover a debt in Poland?
It depends on whether the debtor disputes the claim and on the court. Many cases end after a demand letter or with a payment order; contested cases take longer. After reviewing the documents I give you a realistic estimate.
Can I sue the Polish debtor in my own country instead?
Sometimes yes, depending on the contract and EU rules on jurisdiction. Even then, enforcement against assets in Poland takes place in Poland. I can advise which route is faster and cheaper in your case.
What documents do I need?
The contract or order, invoices, proof of delivery or acceptance of the goods or work, and correspondence with the debtor. If something is missing, I will tell you what can replace it.
Can you check the debtor before we start?
Yes. I check the debtor in Polish public registers (company register, business register, land registers where relevant) to assess whether a judgment can actually be enforced.