Constitutional Tribunal

The Constitutional Tribunal (TK) in Poland is a judicial authority established in 1982, which began its operations in 1986. Its primary role is to review the constitutionality of law, meaning it examines whether lower-level regulations comply with higher-level norms, particularly the Constitution. The seat of the TK is located in Warsaw at 12a Jana Chrystiana Szucha Avenue, in the building of a former officers' casino. The Tribunal has a long history, dating back to the era of the Second Polish Republic, when the idea of establishing such a body gained prominence, especially during the political transformations of 1980–1981. After the TK was established, a complex legislative framework regulating its activities was created, which underwent numerous changes, such as those introduced by the 1997 Constitution, which strengthened its position by adding new competencies and extending judges' terms to 9 years. In 2015, controversial new regulations were introduced, leading to a crisis in the Tribunal's functioning, which sparked international criticism and accusations of political control over the TK by the ruling party. The Tribunal consists of 15 judges elected for 9-year terms, and its rulings are universally binding. In its work, the TK handles a variety of cases, including those concerning the constitutionality of statutes, international agreements, and the objectives of political parties. An interesting fact is that since 1997, the Tribunal can no longer issue universally binding interpretations of law, although its interpretations are still authoritative. Due to its important role in Poland's legal and political system, the Constitutional Tribunal remains a key body for monitoring compliance with constitutional principles and civil rights in the country.