Former Child Rights Ombudsman Mikołaj Pawlak Disciplined by Court

The Disciplinary Court at the Court of Appeal in Łódź has issued a formal reprimand against Judge Mikołaj Pawlak for a “gross and obvious” violation of procedural law during a court case.

Disciplinary Breach in Skierniewice

The Disciplinary Court ruling was issued on June 1. Judge Mikołaj Pawlak was found guilty of a disciplinary offense and received a reprimand, the mildest possible penalty under the law.

The case originated from a civil dispute in the District Court in Skierniewice, where a woman requested that her brother vacate their shared apartment, citing violence. During the proceedings, Judge Pawlak included photocopies of prosecutorial files—including the woman’s statements and police reports—in the court case file.

Unauthorized Disclosure of Investigative Materials

By including these materials in the court file, the accused man gained access to sensitive documents before he was formally charged or held the status of a suspect. The Disciplinary Ombudsman for the Minister of Justice identified this as a clear violation of legal regulations, as Pawlak had not obtained the necessary prosecutor’s consent.

Judge Pawlak denied wrongdoing, arguing the documents were essential for the civil case and that the prosecution had not explicitly forbidden their use. The Disciplinary Court rejected this, stating the judge acted intentionally and violated Article 156 § 5 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Assessment of Harm and Professional Conduct

The court noted that while the violation was clear, it did not significantly hinder the administration of justice, as the files did not contain highly sensitive data and Pawlak later began requesting formal authorization for document access. Consequently, a reprimand was deemed sufficient.

Mikołaj Pawlak, appointed as a judge in June 2024, previously served as the Child Rights Ombudsman from 2018 to 2023. His tenure was marked by controversy, including remarks regarding sexual educators and corporal punishment, as well as investigations into LGBTQ+-friendly schools.