Concerns have emerged regarding contracts valued at up to PLN 324,000 granted by Poland’s Ministry of Justice to Professor Tadeusz Tomaszewski. Tomaszewski, who leads a working group tasked with drafting legislation on court-appointed expert witnesses, has attracted scrutiny due to these financial arrangements. Formed in April 2024, the working group operates under guidelines that specify members are not to receive payment for their participation.
Despite these stipulations, the Ministry of Justice disclosed that Tomaszewski was awarded a civil-law contract offering PLN 8,000 per month, cumulating to PLN 192,000. Furthermore, a subsequent contract initiated in May 2026 stipulates an additional payment of PLN 11,000 monthly. Should this second contract be fully executed, the total payments could amount to approximately PLN 324,000. However, the ministry has not detailed the specific responsibilities associated with these contracts.
In light of these developments, a legal association has raised questions and is seeking further information to ascertain the nature of the contracts. They are requesting the release of the agreements to evaluate whether Tomaszewski’s compensated work is distinct from his unpaid duties as part of the working group. If the contracts are for tasks beyond his group responsibilities, there might not be a conflict of interest.
Nevertheless, if the contracted tasks involve legislative preparation, analysis, consultation, or coordination related to court-appointed experts, it could lead to concerns about potential payment overlaps with responsibilities intended to be fulfilled without compensation. As the situation unfolds, more clarity is anticipated once the Ministry of Justice provides the requested documentation for review.