Concerns have been raised regarding contracts potentially totaling PLN 324,000 awarded to Professor Tadeusz Tomaszewski by Poland’s Ministry of Justice. Tomaszewski, who chairs a working group tasked with drafting legislation on court-appointed expert witnesses, has been under scrutiny due to the financial agreements made with him. This working group, which was formed in April 2024, operates under established guidelines that members should not receive payment for their participation.
Despite these guidelines, data from the Ministry of Justice reveals that Tomaszewski was engaged under a civil-law contract, earning him PLN 8,000 monthly, amounting to PLN 192,000 overall. A subsequent contract, starting in May 2026, proposes an additional monthly payment of PLN 11,000. Should this contract continue for its entire duration, the combined worth of the contracts could approach PLN 324,000. The ministry, however, has not clarified the specific responsibilities outlined in these contracts.
The issue was spotlighted by a legal association seeking transparency regarding the agreements, as they aim to discern whether Tomaszewski’s compensated activities were distinct from his voluntary duties within the group. If the contracts pertain to entirely separate projects, any potential conflict of interest might be mitigated. Conversely, if they encompass tasks such as crafting legislation, conducting analyses, providing consultations, or coordinating efforts related to court-appointed experts, concerns may arise about whether these activities overlap with the unpaid obligations he was expected to fulfill.
The Ministry of Justice has yet to release the pertinent documentation that could shed light on the nature of Tomaszewski’s contracts. Until this information is provided, questions remain about whether the financial arrangements were justified or if they contravened the non-remunerative stipulations under which the working group was established.