2026-01-06 09:30
publication
2026-01-06 09:30
At the beginning of the new year, two regulations enter into force increasing the minimum rates for the activities of lawyers and legal advisors, covering both the costs of unpaid legal assistance provided ex officio and the minimum rates for elective power of attorney.
Regulations of the Minister of Justice – on fees for attorney's activities and on fees for legal advisors' activities and similar regulations relating to the costs of legal assistance ex officio – were signed by Waldemar Żurek on September 24, 2025.
In a recent announcement by the Ministry of Justice, Minister Żurek emphasized that the current rates for legal assistance provided ex officio and elective do not reflect the current economic conditions, and in his opinion, the new regulations will bring benefits “to both lawyers and their clients.”
“The rates subject to modification date back to 2015 and no longer reflect contemporary economic conditions,” noted Żurek, quoted in the Ministry of Justice's release.
“The increase in attorney fees will not affect the prices of legal services, which means that citizens will not incur additional costs. The new regulations will benefit both lawyers and their clients because they will increase the interest of attorneys in handling cases ex officio,” said the head of the Ministry of Justice.
Which cases will we pay more for?
The changes cover a total of several categories of matters. For some, rates will increase by 100%. These include matters for deprivation, limitation, suspension or restoration of parental authority and removal of the child. In this case, the rate will increase from PLN 240 to PLN 480.
The same increase is planned for cases for entry in the land and mortgage register or submission of a document to the collection of documents, for conditional early release or its revocation, and in activities related to the execution of the penalty of restriction of liberty and the execution of protective measures.
They will increase from PLN 120 to PLN 240 rates in inheritance matters – among others for securing the inheritance, rejecting the inheritance, or announcing a will and ordering its submission. The same increase will occur in cases involving disclosure of assets, reimbursement of benefits obtained at the expense of the State Treasury, or cases regarding exemption from seizure of items and rights secured in criminal proceedings from a person suspected of committing a crime against property.
Legal aid rates in cases of incapacitation however, they will increase from PLN 480 to PLN 960.
By 50 percent however, the fees for the activities of lawyers and legal advisors will increase, among others: in matters under investigation (from PLN 360 to PLN 540), investigation (from PLN 600 to PLN 900), for deferment or break in the execution of the penalty (from PLN 360 to PLN 540), explanatory activities in petty offense cases (from PLN 180 to PLN 270), or cases before the district court in petty offense proceedings (from PLN 360 to PLN 540) and cases for deferment or break in the execution of the penalty (from PLN 360 to PLN 540).
The Ministry of Justice emphasized that the changes coming into force are aimed at adapting the rates to “current economic realities, ensuring more adequate remuneration for the provision of professional legal assistance and improving the functioning of the legal assistance system in Poland.”
This is another change in attorney and legal advisor fees. In mid-2024, previously lower rates for court-appointed lawyers were equalized with those for lawyers of choice. However, local governments of attorneys and advisors consistently point out the need to adjust the rates to current market conditions. (PAP)
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