Institutions of legal protection 2100-BW-L-D3INOP
The aim of the course is to learn and understand how the freedoms and rights of individuals and their associations are protected in a democratic state of law, and how the public interest is protected. The subject matter is analysed both in terms of the system of public authorities and in terms of subjective rights. The course examines the issues of subjective rights, substantive and procedural guarantees of their protection. The system of justice, constitutional courts, the system of bodies appointed to guard the observance of the law, the issues of protecting the legality of the actions of public authorities, protecting subjective rights in relations with public authorities, as well as the issue of legal aid.
I. System of legal protection institutions
The science of the structure of legal protection institutions. The concept of legal protection. Legal protection measures. Legal protection bodies
M. Kruk, M. Olszówka, M. Godlewski, M. Jarosz, M. Laskowska, J. Zaleśny, Prawa i wolności przedmiotem ochrony prawnej, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności. System instytucjonalny w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Warszawa 2019
II. Protection of the Constitution. Constitutional Tribunal
Premises, essence and objectives of protection of the constitution. System of protection of constitutionality. Protection of constitutionality in Poland: history, systemic position of the Constitutional Tribunal, its system and principles of operation, competences, nature and effects of judgments. Constitutional complaint.
Ustawa z 30 listopada 2016 r. o organizacji i trybie postępowania przed Trybunałem Konstytucyjnym, t.j. Dz.U. z 2019 r. poz. 2393; Ustawa z 30 listopada 2016 r. o statusie sędziów Trybunału Konstytucyjnego, t.j. Dz.U. z 2018 r. poz. 1422; M. Kruk, Trybunał Konstytucyjny, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; J. Zaleśny, Legitymacja szczególna zaskarżenia aktów normatywnych do Trybunału Konstytucyjnego, [w:] J. Kuciński (red.), Piętnaście lat Konstytucji RP z 1997 roku. Inspiracje, uregulowania, trwałość, Warszawa 2012; M. Kawczyńska, Kontrola zgodności z Konstytucją aktów unijnego prawa pochodnego w postępowaniach przed Trybunałem Konstytucyjnym, [w:] S. Dudzik, N. Półtorak (red.), Prawo Unii Europejskiej a prawo konstytucyjne państw członkowskich, Warszawa 2013; J. Zaleśny, Zagadnienie rozbieżności w orzecznictwie Trybunału Konstytucyjnego, [w:] K.A. Wojtaszczyk, A. Mirska (red.), Demokratyczna modernizacja sfery publicznej, Toruń 2012; M. Dąbrowski, Funkcje Trybunału Konstytucyjnego związane z hierarchiczną kontrolą konstytucyjności prawa, Olsztyn 2015 (pdf)
III. Constitutional responsibility. State Tribunal
The essence of constitutional responsibility. Models of constitutional responsibility. Traditions of constitutional responsibility in Poland. Premises, meaning, mode and practice of implementing constitutional responsibility.
Konstytucja RP, art. 107, 145, 156, 198-201; Ustawa z 26 marca 1982 r. o Trybunale Stanu, t.j. Dz. U. z 2022 r. poz. 762 ze zm.; J. Zaleśny, Trybunał Stanu, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; J. Zaleśny, Odpowiedzialność konstytucyjna w prawie polskim okresu transformacji ustrojowej, Toruń 2004; J. Zaleśny, Odpowiedzialność konstytucyjna. Praktyka III RP, Warszawa 2004
IV. Judiciary – organization, principles of operation
Judiciary power. Administration of justice. Structure of the judiciary. Principles of the administration of justice. National Council of the Judiciary: place in the state structures, composition, functions and competences, mode of operation.
Konstytucja RP, art. 173-187; Ustawa z 12 maja 2011 r. o Krajowej Radzie Sądownictwa, t.j. Dz. U. z 2024 r. poz. 1186; M. Godlewski, M. Laskowska, Organizacja i zasady wymiaru sprawiedliwości, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; M. Godlewski, Krajowa Rada Sądownictwa, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; M. Dąbrowski, J. Szymanek, M. M. Wiszowaty, J. Zaleśny, Niezależność sądów i niezawisłość sędziów. Miscellanea, Warszawa 2020
V. Common and Military Courts
Competence and organization of common courts. Competence and organization of military courts.
Konstytucja RP, art. 173-182; Ustawa z 27 lipca 2001 r. – Prawo o ustroju sądów powszechnych, t.j. Dz. U. z 2024 r. poz. 334 ze zm.; Ustawa z 21 sierpnia 1997 r. – Prawo o ustroju sądów wojskowych, t.j. Dz. U. z 2022 r. poz. 2250; M. Godlewski, M. Laskowska, Sądy powszechne, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; M. Godlewski, M. Laskowska, Sądy wojskowe, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; A. Machnikowska, Odpowiedzialność władzy sądowniczej a odpowiedzialność dyscyplinarna sędziów, „Przegląd Prawa Konstytucyjnego” 2020, nr 4
VI. Supreme Court
The judicial supervision of the Supreme Court and its means. The organization of the Supreme Court.
Konstytucja RP, art.183; Ustawa z 8 grudnia 2017 r. o Sądzie Najwyższym, t.j. Dz. U. z 2024 r. poz. 622; M. Godlewski, M. Laskowska, Sąd Najwyższy, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności … ; M. Zbrojewska, Rola i stanowisko prawne Sądu Najwyższego w procesie karnym, Warszawa 2013
VII. Administrative judiciary
The essence of judicial control of administration. Models of judicial control of administration. Cognition of administrative courts. Organization of administrative courts. Specificity of cassation appeal in administrative court proceedings.
Konstytucja RP, art. 184-185, 236 ust. 2; Ustawa z 25 lipca 2002 r. – Prawo o ustroju sądów administracyjnych, t.j. Dz. U. z 2024 r. poz. 1267; M. Godlewski, M. Laskowska, Sądy administracyjne, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …
VIII. Extrajudicial adjudicating bodies
The place of extrajudicial bodies in the system of adjudicating bodies. The essence and system of extrajudicial adjudicating bodies. The nature of decisions. Judicial supervision.
Ustawa z 1 grudnia 1961 r. o izbach morskich, t.j. Dz. U. z 2020 r. poz. 159; T. Ereciński, K. Weitz, Sąd arbitrażowy, Warszawa 2008
IX. Protection of the public interest. Prosecutor's office
The essence of the prosecutor's office. Evolution of the prosecutor's office in Poland. Structure, tasks, operation of the prosecutor's office.
Ustawa z 28 stycznia 2016 r. - Prawo o prokuraturze, t.j. Dz. U. z 2024 r.
poz. 390 ze zm.; J. Zaleśny, Prokuratura, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; J. Zaleśny, Dialektyka prokuratorskiej niezależności, [w:] M. Mistygacz (red.), Prokuratura w Polsce w XXI wieku. Wyzwania ustrojowe i procesowe, Warszawa 2019; M. Mistygacz, J. Onyszczuk, M. Szeroczyńska, Zasady ustrojowe i działania prokuratury w Polsce – nowe spojrzenie, Warszawa 2023
X. Protection of civil rights. Commissioner for Human Rights
The system of protection of civil rights. Models of the institution of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the system of legal protection bodies. The place of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the structures of the state. The status of the Commissioner for Human Rights: qualifications of the candidate, appointment, term of office, independence and impartiality. Scope and forms of activity. Organization of the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights
Konstytucja RP, art. 72, 208-212; Ustawa z 15 lipca 1987 r. o Rzeczniku Praw Obywatelskich, t.j. Dz. U. z 2024 r. poz. 1264; J. Zaleśny, Rzecznik Praw Obywatelskich, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; I. Malinowska, Rzecznik Praw Obywatelskich w systemie ochrony praw i wolności w Polsce, Warszawa 2007; A. Gajda, Kierunki rozwoju instytucji Rzecznika Praw Obywatelskich w Polsce, Warszawa 2013
XI. Protection of state finances. Supreme Audit Office
History of state audit in Poland. The place of NIK in the state structures. Organization of NIK. Tasks and responsibilities of NIK. Audit procedures
Konstytucja RP, art. 202-207, 226; Ustawa z 23 grudnia 1994 r. o Najwyższej Izbie Kontroli, t.j. Dz. U. z 2022 r. poz. 623; M. Olszówka, Najwyższa Izba Kontroli, [w:] M. Kruk (i in.), Ochrona praw i wolności …; I. Sierpowska, Funkcje kontroli państwowej. Studium prawnoporównawcze, Kolonia Limited 2003.
|
Term 2025Z:
The aim of the course is to learn and understand how the freedoms and rights of individuals and their associations are protected in a democratic state of law, and how the public interest is protected. The subject matter is analysed both in terms of the system of public authorities and in terms of subjective rights. The course examines the issues of subjective rights, substantive and procedural guarantees of their protection. The system of justice, constitutional courts, the system of bodies appointed to guard the observance of the law, the issues of protecting the legality of the actions of public authorities, protecting subjective rights in relations with public authorities, as well as the issue of legal aid. I. System of legal protection institutions III. Constitutional responsibility. State Tribunal IV. Judiciary – organization, principles of operation V. Common and Military Courts VI. Supreme Court VII. Administrative judiciary VIII. Extrajudicial adjudicating bodies IX. Protection of the public interest. Prosecutor's office X. Protection of civil rights. Commissioner for Human Rights XI. Protection of state finances. Supreme Audit Office |
Term 2026Z:
The aim of the course is to learn and understand how the freedoms and rights of individuals and their associations are protected in a democratic state of law, and how the public interest is protected. The subject matter is analysed both in terms of the system of public authorities and in terms of subjective rights. The course examines the issues of subjective rights, substantive and procedural guarantees of their protection. The system of justice, constitutional courts, the system of bodies appointed to guard the observance of the law, the issues of protecting the legality of the actions of public authorities, protecting subjective rights in relations with public authorities, as well as the issue of legal aid. I. System of legal protection institutions III. Constitutional responsibility. State Tribunal IV. Judiciary – organization, principles of operation V. Common and Military Courts VI. Supreme Court VII. Administrative judiciary VIII. Extrajudicial adjudicating bodies IX. Protection of the public interest. Prosecutor's office X. Protection of civil rights. Commissioner for Human Rights XI. Protection of state finances. Supreme Audit Office |
Course coordinators
Term 2025Z: | Term 2026Z: |
Type of course
Mode
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
NOWLEDGE
K_W02 - possesses advanced knowledge and understanding of the legal and institutional conditions of internal security: understands the interdependencies between legal protection frameworks and their impact on the internal security dimension
K_W04 - possesses advanced knowledge and understanding of the legal and institutional norms and procedures governing the structures and institutions that manage internal security
K_W06 - knows and understands the legal and institutional attributes and mechanisms of a modern democratic state: the system of legal protection bodies, within which the entities responsible for formulating security policy operate
SKILLS
K_U01 - the graduate is able to formulate, analyze, and solve problems and tasks related to legal protection institutions concerning security; to collect, compile, and process information regarding legal protection institutions related to internal security; and to analyze and synthesize information concerning legal protection institutions related to internal security
K_U04 - the graduate is able to apply acquired knowledge in practical and professional activities, as well as in solving and implementing specific tasks related to legal protection institutions
COMPETENCES
K_K02 - the graduate is prepared to develop initiatives for civic engagement and local community action within the scope of legal protection institutions
Assessment criteria
The basic condition for passing the subject is attendance at classes (two unexcused absences are allowed per semester). Exceeding the number of allowed absences results in the necessity to pass classes during didactic duty. Absence from more than half of the meetings results in failing the subject (the student is not classified). The final grade is the result of continuous assessment made on the basis of current preparation for classes and activity during them, as well as completed works (report) and a colloquium. The colloquium takes the form of a test consisting of about 20 closed, open and case questions.
Class participation: 0–40 points
Presentation: 0–10 points
Test: 0–50 points
Detailed grading scale
0–50 points: 2.0 (fail) – failure to achieve minimum learning outcomes.
51–58 points: 3.0 (satisfactory) – minimum, reproductive fulfillment of all learning outcomes.
59–65 points: 3.5 (satisfactory plus) – competent mastery of knowledge and skills.
66–74 points: 4.0 (good) – mastery of learning outcomes at an average level across all dimensions.
75–86 points: 4.5 (good plus) – high level of engagement, above-average task performance, and fluent use of source literature.
87–100 points: 5.0 (very good) – outstanding knowledge and skills, as well as originality in addressing issues related to legal protection institutions.
Written test: learning outcomes verified: K_W02, K_W04, K_W06, K_U01, K_U04
Class participation: learning outcomes verified: K_W02, K_W04, K_W06, K_U01, K_U04, K_K02
Presentation / written assignment: learning outcomes verified: K_W02, K_W04, K_W06, K_U01, K_U04
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in preparation for classes and during classes is governed by the principles set out in Resolution No. 29/2025 of the WNPiSM Didactic Council of May 7, 2025, regarding detailed rules for the use of artificial intelligence tools in the educational process. Level 4.
Practical placement
Not required.
Bibliography
Basic literature
1. M. Kruk, M. Olszówka, M. Godlewski, M. Jarosz, M. Laskowska, J. Zaleśny, Ochrona praw i wolności. System instytucjonalny w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Warszawa 2019
Additional literature
1. J. Zaleśny, Odpowiedzialność konstytucyjna. Praktyka III RP, Warszawa 2004;
2. M. Dąbrowski, J. Szymanek, M.M. Wiszowaty, J. Zaleśny, Niezależność sądów i niezawisłość sędziów. Miscellanea, Warszawa 2020;
3. M. Jabłoński, S. Jarosz-Żukowska (red.), Konstytucyjny model władzy sądowniczej w Polsce - wybrane problemy, Wrocław 2013;
4. M. Romańska (red.), Pozainstancyjne środki ochrony prawej, Warszawa 2013;
5. M. Mistygacz, J. Onyszczuk, M. Szeroczyńska, Zasady ustrojowe i działania prokuratury w Polsce - nowe spojrzenie, Warszawa 2023;
6. I. Sierpowska, Funkcje kontroli państwowej. Studium prawnoporównawcze, Kolonia Limited 2003.
|
Term 2025Z:
Basic literature Additional literature |
Term 2026Z:
Basic literature Additional literature |