Poland’s Justice Ministry has published draft regulations outlining salaries for newly created junior court assistant positions, primarily aimed at law students.
New Positions and Pay Scales
The Ministry of Justice has released a draft regulation governing the compensation for individuals employed in the newly established position of junior court assistant. This proposal is primarily intended for law students in their third year of studies, aiming to address urgent staffing needs within the courts.
Salary Basis
According to the justification, the junior assistant’s pay rate is benchmarked against that of a trainee curator, but set at a slightly lower level due to the lack of a master’s degree requirement for candidates for this position.
2026 Pay Ranges
The following table presents the planned salary ranges for the various assistant levels:
Position | Minimum Wage | Maximum Wage
Junior Court Assistant | 5,000 zł | 5,500 zł
Court Assistant | 6,700 zł | 8,240 zł
Senior Court Assistant | 8,240 zł | 9,270 zł
Rationale for New Regulation
Current regulations, dating from March 2026, will expire no later than July 3, 2026. The new regulation is essential to enable the employment of individuals in the newly created junior assistant position and to ensure continuity of payments for current employees.
Existing Rates Maintained
The Ministry is also maintaining existing rates for assistants and senior assistants, which already include a 3% wage increase in the budgetary sphere for 2026.
Rapid Implementation
The draft regulation stipulates that it will come into force the day following its publication. This short period of *vacatio legis* is justified by the “important interest of the state.” The ministry aims to begin recruitment processes and competitions as quickly as possible to relieve judges of their daily duties.
No Changes for Current Staff
The new regulations do not change the salaries of individuals already employed as assistants and senior assistants – their pay ranges remain at the levels established in March of this year.
