Justice Minister Zbigniew Żurek reveals draft law for Supreme Court restructuring amid ongoing judicial disputes.
Supreme Court Reforms
Justice Minister Zbigniew Żurek confirmed he has a draft bill prepared by a codification commission for a new Supreme Court Law. He stated this project requires resolving several “intermediate laws” first, notably the “rule of law” bill concerning judges appointed after 2017, including those serving in the Supreme Court.
Żurek declined to detail the proposed solutions but confirmed the draft foresees a return to three chambers within the Supreme Court. He added that if President Karol Nawrocki vetoes the “rule of law” bill, the new Supreme Court law must also address the status of “neo-judges” in the court.
KRS Dispute and Constitutional Court Tension
The Sejm passed a resolution stating that the Supreme Court’s chamber selecting judicial members for the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) must consider the results of elections conducted by judges. This follows the presidential veto of a government bill reforming the KRS selection process.
Asked if the new KRS selection formula could be blocked by the Constitutional Court (TK), Żurek acknowledged “set-ups” were likely in the TK, as PiS politicians have already filed a motion. He also confirmed having a “Plan C” if the current KRS refuses to step aside for new members elected by the Sejm, though he refused to disclose details, denying it was a “force plan” and emphasizing the need for an effective “state of law”.