Status and Prospects for Research on the Polish Judicial System since mid-October 1938 till December 1939

Abstract

The dates from the title describe very important and key period at the end of the interwar period and the initial time of Soviet and German occupation of Poland. The period in question can be divided into two parts, first is the time of peaceful existence of the Second Polish Republic with the end of the peace already on the horizon, second is the time of subordination of all state activities to meet requirements related to conducting the war. The status of the national judicial systems has not been so far properly, comprehensively, fully described, and evaluated in the subject literature. However, there is a number of memoirs and diaries available to historians. Archival materials are dispersed and could be found in many different locations, unfortunately mostly out of the Country (London, German archives). The archival research in all these places allows thorough and detailed exploration and building a solid and verified database of documents. Unfortunately, papers from the prewar Ministry of Justice had been destroyed but files of Bar Councils and some courts survived the disaster. It could be complemented by personal documents and this would extend research perspectives.