Legal services for businesses in Poland
Legal services for businesses in Poland should support commercial decisions, not merely react once a problem has arisen. A carefully drafted contract, clear rules of representation and an early risk assessment can often prevent an expensive dispute. If a dispute does arise, a sound understanding of the business and its records helps to select the right strategy.
Tomasz Piotr Chudzinski & Partners Law Firm provides ongoing legal support to companies, business owners, management boards and senior executives. Our work focuses on day-to-day legal advice, commercial disputes, and the drafting and negotiation of contracts. We can act as an external legal function or assist with a defined project that requires analysis, negotiation or representation.
Clients in Warsaw, Wrocław, Katowice and throughout Poland can turn to us for advice. We can conduct a substantial part of the work remotely. Clients have direct contact with the lawyer responsible for the matter and receive a clear explanation of the agreed next steps.
Who can use our legal services for businesses in Poland?
We regularly assist:
- limited liability companies and other commercial companies;
- business owners and shareholders;
- management boards and executives responsible for contracts, sales and operations;
- service, technology, healthcare, media and railway businesses;
- foreign entrepreneurs establishing or expanding a business in Poland;
- organisations without an in-house legal team and companies that need additional support for a particular project.
We therefore adjust the model to the size of the business and its decision-making process. Not every company needs a fixed number of hours. For example, a monthly arrangement may suit one business, while a separate fee for a contract, project or proceeding may work better for another.
Scope of legal services for companies
Drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts
A contract should reflect the actual commercial relationship, the division of responsibility and the procedure to follow in the event of delay, defective performance or early termination. A template rarely addresses the client’s sales model, document flow, acceptance process or negotiating position.
We prepare and review service agreements, B2B cooperation agreements, supply and sale agreements, licence and implementation agreements, leases, loan agreements, confidentiality agreements and executive contracts. We also take part in negotiations and translate commercial arrangements into provisions that can be applied in day-to-day operations.
Our review may cover the scope of performance, deadlines, acceptance, liability, contractual penalties, security, intellectual property rights, termination and the appropriate dispute-resolution mechanism.
Day-to-day decisions of boards and business owners
A management board may need a concise legal assessment before approving a decision, signing a document or replying to a counterparty. We organise the facts, identify the available options and explain the consequences of each one.
Advice can concern contractual relations, interpretation of agreements, the liability of board members, company representation, conflicts of interest, security, complaints, withdrawal or termination, and preparations for a possible dispute.
Corporate support
We prepare resolutions, minutes, powers of attorney, internal regulations and documents concerning changes within companies. We assist with changes to the management board, registered office, objects and articles of association. This support also covers decision-making, representation and the flow of information between shareholders and corporate bodies.
In shareholder matters, we analyse shareholders’ agreements, exit mechanisms, financing, share transfers and deadlock solutions. If the company’s interests may differ from those of a shareholder or board member, we identify the potential conflict and clearly state whom the Firm represents.
Company formation, conversion and reorganisation
We advise on setting up companies, changing their legal form and reorganising their structure. First, we establish the commercial objective, the current legal form and the proposed ownership structure. We then identify the documents and registration steps needed. If the project requires a notary, accountant or tax adviser, we agree on the division of responsibilities. We set the scope and timetable individually.
Debt recovery and payment security
Effective debt recovery begins before payment becomes overdue. We examine evidence of performance, acceptance procedures, deadlines, security and the formal requirements for notices. We prepare demands for payment, conduct negotiations and handle court and enforcement proceedings.
For recurring matters, we can establish a consistent process for transferring documents and reporting. In higher-value cases, we also assess interim measures and the potential personal liability of individuals responsible for the debtor’s obligations.
Inspections, administrative proceedings and correspondence with authorities
We help businesses prepare for inspections and represent them during official proceedings. We assess notices, deadlines and the scope of requested information. Depending on the matter, we prepare submissions, objections, appeals and complaints to administrative courts.
If a matter requires a complaint to a voivodeship administrative court (WSA) or a cassation appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court (NSA), we coordinate the work with our administrative law and court proceedings practice.
Employment risk, B2B cooperation and confidentiality
We review agreements with executives and key contractors. We address confidentiality, non-compete obligations, intellectual property created during the engagement, the use of equipment and information, and the parties’ liability. When cooperation ends, we also help the company protect its legitimate interests.
If a matter falls outside the Firm’s expertise, we agree with the client on involving a suitable specialist. We do not present that specialist’s advice as a service provided by the Firm.
Preventing and conducting commercial disputes
Ongoing legal services also involve preparation for potential conflict. We help document contractual performance, reservations, notices and negotiations. If an amicable solution is not available or is not in the client’s interest, we represent the client in commercial disputes between businesses.
How ongoing legal support can work
1. Establishing needs and communication rules
At the outset, we identify decision-makers, recurring matters and the areas of greatest risk. We agree what information should accompany each request and who may instruct the Firm.
2. Reviewing key documents
Where needed, we review contract templates, corporate documents, powers of attorney and the way in which performance is documented. The result does not have to be a lengthy report. Instead, a concise list of priorities and a practical sequence of changes is often more useful.
3. Ongoing advice and projects
The Firm reviews decisions, drafts documents, participates in negotiations and conducts agreed proceedings. Before work begins, we confirm the scope and fee structure with the client.
4. Periodic risk review
As a business develops, its counterparties, products, teams and management responsibilities change. A periodic review helps align documentation with the current operating model.
Initial consultation fees for businesses
A legal consultation that does not require document analysis costs PLN 490 net. A consultation requiring document review and a meeting at the Firm or online costs PLN 750 net.
Before the meeting, we confirm which option corresponds to the request. If the matter concerns commercial litigation requiring a separate fee proposal, we may first qualify the matter and identify the documents needed. This preliminary qualification is not a substitute for legal advice or a full document review.
When should a business contact the Firm?
- the company is negotiating a high-value or long-term contract;
- a counterparty disputes performance, acceptance or payment;
- shareholders cannot agree on the direction of the company;
- a board member needs an assessment of personal liability;
- the business has received an official notice or inspection announcement;
- existing contract templates no longer match the operating model;
- several recurring issues should be handled through one coordinated process.
Frequently asked questions
Must ongoing legal services be provided under a monthly retainer?
No. The model depends on the company’s needs. It may be a monthly arrangement, a package of work or a fee for an individual project. The terms are agreed once the nature and likely number of matters are known.
Can the Firm draft a contract from the outset?
Yes. We first establish the commercial objective, the performance model, the relevant risks and the negotiating position. We can also review a draft supplied by the counterparty or take part in negotiations.
Do you advise businesses outside Warsaw?
Yes. We act for businesses in Warsaw, Wrocław, Katowice and elsewhere in Poland. Documents and consultations can be handled remotely where the nature of the matter permits.
Does ongoing support include court proceedings?
This depends on the agreed scope. Litigation may form part of an ongoing arrangement or be priced separately. Before work begins, the client receives information about the scope and fee basis.
What should be included in the initial enquiry?
Please briefly describe the business, the problem, the expected result, the nearest deadline and the type of documents involved. Please also identify the parties so that we can carry out an initial conflict check.
Do you need ongoing legal support for your business in Poland?
Use the contact form to describe the business, the issue and the expected result. After an initial qualification, we will indicate what information is required and whether an individual consultation, a defined project or ongoing legal support is the most appropriate model.
Practical guidance on contracts and business operations is available in the Firm’s English-language blog.
