Gwarancyjny charakter zasady kolegialności
The guarantee character of the principle of collegiality

Summary/Abstract: The judicial authority in the Republic of Poland is exercised by the Supreme Court, common, administrative and military courts, which adjudicate through judges in collective or single-member bodies formed on the basis of appropriate legal norms. Changes can be observed over the years in the predominance of the idea of collective and single-personad judication. In Poland, since the mid-1990s, there has been a clear trend consisting in the professionalization of jurisprudence, which also affects the composition of the panel of judges. Changes in this area accelerated in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, although the threat posed by the virus was a pretext rather than a reason for introducing them. The aim was to facilitate scrutinizing judges in order to discourage attempts at verification of the appointment process of judges, which might not be in accordance with the principles of independence and impartiality established by law within the meaning of the European Convention on Human Rights. In this context, the principle of collectiveness of the panel of judges and the related obligation of secrecy of judicial deliberations are key factors that can guarantee effective protection of individual judges from the pressure of political factors, and – in consequence – interference in the sphere of jurisprudence.

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