Criminal defence · Poland
Find a theft lawyer in Poland who knows the courts
A theft allegation in Poland is handled under a written criminal procedure, in Polish, before the ordinary courts. Whether you are a suspect, a defendant or the person who lost property, early specialist advice shapes everything that follows. We match you with a lawyer who handles these cases.
- Criminal cases in Poland are heard by the ordinary courts
- The right to defence counsel is constitutionally guaranteed
- Both adwokaci and radcowie prawni may appear before every court
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Why people look for a theft lawyer in Poland
Being caught up in a theft case in Poland is stressful whether you are under suspicion, facing a charge, or trying to recover what you lost. Poland follows the continental civil-law model, so criminal matters are decided on codified statutes rather than on earlier judgments, and they are heard by the ordinary courts: district courts at first instance, regional courts for more serious cases and on appeal, and appellate courts at second instance. Because the record is written, held in Polish and driven by procedure, most people need representation from the first interview onwards. A theft lawyer in Poland can advise you before you make statements, conduct your defence or your civil claim, and deal with the police and prosecutor on your behalf. We match you with a suitable lawyer, free of charge.
Poland in practice
How theft cases and legal representation work in Poland
Poland’s justice system rests on comprehensive codes, and criminal cases run through the ordinary courts under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The practical points below explain where your case will be heard, who is allowed to represent you, what representation costs and which time limits can affect you.
Where theft cases are heard
Poland follows the continental civil-law model, so your case is decided on codified statutes rather than on earlier judgments. Criminal matters fall to the ordinary courts: district courts (sądy rejonowe) sit at first instance, regional courts (sądy okręgowe) deal with more serious cases and hear appeals, and appellate courts review second-instance decisions. The Supreme Court exercises cassation jurisdiction and unifies case law.
Two legal professions with equal rights of audience
Since 1 July 2015 the adwokat (advocate) and the radca prawny (legal adviser) have identical rights to appear before every court, including the Supreme Court. Both must complete a three-year professional training, pass the professional examination and join a compulsory self-governing bar. In practice the difference lies in the form of practice: a radca prawny may work under a contract of employment, while an adwokat practises alone or in partnership.
The right to counsel and free legal aid
The defendant’s right to counsel is constitutionally guaranteed in criminal proceedings, and legal assistance is compulsory in specified situations. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the court may appoint one — an adwokat or a radca prawny — whose remuneration is paid from public funds. Separately, free legal aid (nieodpłatna pomoc prawna) under the Act of 5 August 2015 is delivered through NGO legal aid points.
What legal representation costs
Lawyers’ fees in Poland are freely agreed between lawyer and client; there are no binding official tariffs. A regulation of the Minister of Justice fixes the rates used to calculate the costs of representation awarded to the winning party, so what can be recovered in litigation is capped by those statutory rates. A court-appointed lawyer, by contrast, is paid from public funds.
Procedure, language and EU law
The language of the Polish courts is Polish, and the written record drives the case, so statements, documents and evidence must be prepared with care. Procedural rules sit in the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Code of Civil Procedure. EU law applies directly in Poland and takes precedence over conflicting national legislation, which can matter where a theft investigation crosses borders.
Civil claims that can run alongside a criminal case
Victims often pursue compensation on a separate track from the criminal proceedings. Under the Civil Code, tort claims are limited to three years and in any event ten years from the event, general contractual debts to six years, and claims confirmed by a final judgment to six years. Missing a limitation period can bar recovery, so timing should be checked early.
Every country-specific statement on this page is taken from official Polish and EU sources — the e-Justice Portal, the Polish Journal of Laws (ISAP) and the professional self-government — as consulted for this page in 2025.
- European e-Justice Portal — National justice systems: Poland
- European e-Justice Portal — Types of legal professions: Poland
- Prawo o adwokaturze (1982) — Polish Journal of Laws
- Act on Court Costs in Civil Cases (2005) — Polish Journal of Laws
- Polish Civil Code (1964) — limitation periods
- Polish Labour Code (1974) — dismissal claim period
- Code of Administrative Procedure (1960) — appeal period
- Naczelna Rada Adwokacka (Polish Bar)
Common situations
When people start looking for help
These are the moments when specialist representation makes the biggest difference in a Polish theft case.
You are a suspect or a defendant
A theft allegation often begins with a police interview and can escalate quickly. You need to know what the record contains, when legal assistance becomes compulsory and how the defence will be conducted before the district or regional court.
You are the victim of a theft
Recovering stolen property and obtaining compensation run on a different track from the criminal case. Statements, the valuation of your loss and the civil limitation periods all influence what you can realistically recover, so early advice is worthwhile.
Your case crosses a border
Property, suspects or bank records may sit outside Poland. EU law applies directly in Poland and takes precedence over conflicting national rules, which affects how evidence, jurisdiction and enforcement are approached from the outset.
How we help
What you get from our matching service
We are not a law firm. We compare your situation with lawyers who practise in Poland and introduce you to the ones that fit.
Specialism rather than general practice
We look for lawyers whose day-to-day work covers theft and property crime before the ordinary courts, rather than generalists who take criminal matters occasionally. That focus matters, because procedure drives the outcome in Polish proceedings.
Representation in the language you use
You can ask for a lawyer who also works in English, German, Ukrainian or another language, while keeping in mind that Polish is the language of the courts and of the written record that will decide your case.
Fees that are clear from the start
Polish lawyers agree their fees freely with the client, so both scope and price are negotiable. We encourage you to confirm the mandate and the cost structure in writing before any work on your case begins.
One point of contact across the case
From the first interview through the court hearing and any parallel civil claim, your lawyer remains your single point of contact. If a different specialism is needed, our service can look for it.
Cross-border work
Where our clients come from
We help people in Poland and abroad who need representation before the Polish ordinary courts, including cases where stolen property, evidence or a suspect is located in another country. Matching is free and available regardless of where you currently live.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions about theft cases in Poland
Do I need a theft lawyer in Poland if the police have only questioned me?
You are not obliged to instruct one at that stage, but Polish criminal procedure is formal and everything you say forms part of the written record. The right to counsel is constitutionally guaranteed, and a lawyer can review the record, explain your position and advise how to respond before the case develops further.
Who is allowed to represent me before a Polish court?
Both the adwokat (advocate) and the radca prawny (legal adviser) may act in criminal proceedings and, since 1 July 2015, enjoy identical rights of audience before every court, including the Supreme Court. Each belongs to a compulsory professional self-government that sets and enforces ethical rules.
Which court will hear a theft case in Poland?
Criminal cases fall within the ordinary courts. District courts (sądy rejonowe) sit at first instance; regional courts (sądy okręgowe) handle more serious cases and act as second-instance courts; appellate courts hear appeals against second-instance decisions. The Supreme Court exercises cassation jurisdiction and unifies case law.
How are lawyers’ fees set in Poland?
Fees are freely agreed between lawyer and client — there are no binding official tariffs. A regulation of the Minister of Justice fixes the rates used to calculate the costs of representation awarded to the winning party, which caps what can be recovered in litigation. Where you cannot afford a lawyer, the court may appoint one paid from public funds.
Can I claim compensation for a theft through the civil courts?
Yes, victims may pursue compensation separately from the criminal case. Under the Civil Code, tort claims are limited to three years and in any event ten years from the event, while claims confirmed by a final judgment can be enforced for six years. A lawyer can confirm how those periods apply to your facts.
Are proceedings in Poland conducted in Polish?
Yes. Polish is the language of the courts, and pleadings, statements and evidence are drafted in Polish, so the written record will be in that language. Many criminal defence lawyers also work in English and other languages and can explain each step, but you should agree clearly how communication and translation will be handled.
Next step
Tell us about your case and we will find the right lawyer
Describe in a few lines what happened and where you are in the process. We compare your situation with lawyers who handle theft matters before the Polish ordinary courts and who work in a language you understand, then introduce you to the ones that fit. The introduction is free, and you decide afterwards whether to instruct anyone.