A Polish judge, Michał Mańkowski, is facing potential dismissal after a disciplinary court found him guilty of delaying over 100 written justifications for his rulings.
Judge Found Guilty of Disciplinary Offense
The Disciplinary Court found Judge Michał Mańkowski of Kozienice (Mazowieckie) guilty of failing to issue over 100 written justifications for his rulings. The court imposed the harshest disciplinary penalty, potentially leading to his removal from office.
The case against the judge was heard by the Disciplinary Court at the Court of Appeal in Lublin. The issue centered on the backlog of over 100 unissued rulings, preventing parties from filing appeals.
Potential Loss of Judicial Powers
Judge Mańkowski could lose his judicial powers as a result of the disciplinary action. He will be suspended from his duties pending a final decision on the ruling.
The court also ordered a 50% reduction in his salary during the suspension period, until the ruling becomes final.
Right to Appeal
An appeal can be filed with the Supreme Court against the disciplinary court’s decision. If no appeal is filed, Mańkowski will automatically cease to be a judge.
Harshest Disciplinary Penalty
The penalty of removal from office is the most severe disciplinary punishment under Polish law, resulting in a definitive loss of position and precluding future reappointment.
Prior Disciplinary Actions and Investigations
Media reported on Judge Mańkowski’s backlog as early as 2025, when he was reportedly behind on writing 122 justifications. The Ministry of Justice and the prosecutor’s office subsequently launched investigations.
In February 2025, the Ministry of Justice stated it would not tolerate such blatant and unjustified conduct by a judge and would respond to similar situations.
The judge had previously been definitively penalized with a reprimand for exceeding the statutory deadline for issuing justifications in 90 cases, and a 25% salary reduction for two years for exceeding the deadline in over 80 cases. He also faced monetary penalties in 82 cases.
Criminal Investigation Launched
Due to the backlog of 122 cases, the Deputy Disciplinary Prosecutor at the Radom District Court filed motions to initiate disciplinary proceedings with the Disciplinary Court at the Lublin Court of Appeal.
The President of the Kozienice Regional Court also filed a notification with the Kozienice District Prosecutor’s Office regarding potential crimes under Article 231 paragraph 1 of the Penal Code and Article 276 of the Penal Code, concerning dereliction of duty or abuse of authority by a public official, and concealment of documents. These offenses carry potential prison sentences.
