Concerns have emerged regarding contracts valued at potentially PLN 324,000, awarded to Professor Tadeusz Tomaszewski by Poland’s Ministry of Justice. Tomaszewski, who leads a working group tasked with drafting legislation on court-appointed expert witnesses, was involved in agreements that have prompted calls for clarity. The working group, active since April 2024, operates under guidelines that specify its members are not to receive payment for their participation.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Justice has disclosed that Tomaszewski was granted a civil-law contract for PLN 8,000 each month, totaling PLN 192,000. An additional contract, set to commence in May 2026, includes a monthly payment of PLN 11,000. Should this second agreement be fulfilled in its entirety, the cumulative value of the contracts could amount to around PLN 324,000. The ministry, however, has yet to detail the specific responsibilities encompassed by these contracts.
The situation was brought to light by a legal association, which is now seeking transparency and access to the contract documents to ascertain whether the remunerated work was distinct from Tomaszewski’s unpaid duties with the working group. The core of the inquiry hinges on whether the contracts remunerate work separate from his role in the group, such as preparing legislation, providing analyses, conducting consultations, or coordinating efforts related to court-appointed expert witnesses.
If the contracts indeed pertain to external assignments, there might be no grounds for concern regarding a conflict of interest. However, if the duties overlap with those expected to be fulfilled without compensation, further scrutiny may be warranted. The Ministry of Justice is expected to release the requested documentation, which could shed light on the extent and nature of the work covered by the contracts.