The judge undertaking additional employment in view of the Constitution of the republic of Poland

Abstract

One of the most serious constraints imposed on judges as a professional group are quite rigorous principles of undertaking and pursuing additional professional activity, both under labour contracts and other arrangements (e.g. civil law agreements. such as contract for a specific work, mandate, etc.). If one was to seek the source of such restrictions, the starting point would probably be the principle of judicial independence envisaged in art. 178 of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland. According to this provision, judges are independent in pursuance of their duties and bound only by the Constitution and statutes. At the same time, they are guaranteed working conditions and salary corresponding to the dignity of their position and scope of obligations. Finally, a judge may not be a member of any political party, labour union or carry on public activity which would stand in opposition with the principle of judicial independence. This principle relates to judges in a democratic state ruled by law, and makes, as such, one of ramifications of the doctrine of separation of powers. In the end, only an independent court may safeguard freedoms and rights of an individual, as well as interests of other entities.