Environmental Protection Liability in Poland – Aspects of Substantive Administrative Law

Abstract

Firstly, administrative law was defined and characterised, and substantive law issues were distinguished from procedural. The sources of administrative law and their specific features were indicated. The next part concerns the legal framework governing administrative competencies, including a presentation of Polish public administration bodies responsible for environmental policies. The principles of law applicable to the activities of those were discussed. The focus is then shone on the regulatory powers of administrative authorities, including various acts issued in the field of the environment and the duties and obligations contained therein. The next part concerns administrative environmental offences, those included in criminal codes and administrative acts. The accumulation of administrative and criminal liability, and to a lesser extent civil is also discussed. The focus then shifts to administrative sanctions and penalties in the field of the environment, which were characterised. The last part deals with challenges in administrative governance and future perspectives of Polish environmental law enforcement and contains proposals de lege ferenda.