A systemic crisis in the oversight of bankruptcy proceedings has come to light in Poland, revealing allegations of massive financial misconduct by court-appointed syndics. At the center of the controversy is a Warsaw lawyer, Krzysztof G., who became one of the country’s most active syndics, managing the assets of numerous wealthy firms.
Allegations suggest that instead of facilitating the recovery of companies or repaying creditors, the lawyer focused on increasing his own wealth. This was reportedly achieved by unnecessarily prolonging bankruptcy processes and generating exorbitant costs for questionable legal and accounting analyses, office equipment, fuel, and unnecessary rentals.
The scale of the alleged misconduct has drawn comparisons to the high-profile reprivatization scandal. Former Vice-Minister of Justice Marcin Warchoł previously noted that the pathologies uncovered in these cases mirrored that systemic failure, highlighting the role of judges who approved these expenditures for years.
The Legal Battle Over Professional Licenses
The Ministry of Justice has taken aggressive steps to curb these practices. In October 2024, Vice-Minister Arkadiusz Myrcha revoked Krzysztof G.’s right to practice following an analysis of 75 proceedings, citing numerous irregularities and the misleading of supervising judges.
However, the legal battle continues. In February 2026, the Voivodeship Administrative Court (WSA) in Warsaw issued a non-final ruling overturning the license revocation. The court argued that the Ministry failed to sufficiently explain the “excessiveness and purposelessness” of the costs.
Crucially, the court stated that since supervising judges had previously approved the expenditures, there is a “presumption of compliance with the law” and a presumption that the interests of creditors and the public were not violated.
Allegations of a “Professional-Social” Network
The controversy extends beyond the syndics to the judiciary itself. Residents of the affected housing cooperative and former Ombudsman Prof. Ewa Łętowska have criticized the lack of judicial oversight, with Łętowska stating the syndic “preyed” on the assets of the cooperative members.
Some sources suggest a problematic relationship between the judiciary and the legal profession. It’s alleged that some Warsaw bankruptcy judges found employment at Krzysztof G.’s law firm or within his bankruptcy proceedings after leaving the bench, potentially creating a network of professional and social ties that blinded judges to obvious abuses.
A Wider Crackdown on Bankruptcy Specialists
The investigation into Krzysztof G. Has triggered a broader sweep of the industry. The Ministry of Justice reports that since 2024, it has revoked the licenses of 25 advisors and suspended six others.
Supervisory activities have targeted over 100 restructuring advisors across 480 proceedings. In 2026 alone, 121 new supervisory proceedings have already been initiated.
Among the high-profile targets is syndic Marcin Kubiczek, whose license was suspended on May 4. The Ministry cited serious irregularities in the accounting and height of expenses in proceedings involving the developer HREiT, the banks of Leszek Czarnecki (Getin Noble Bank and IDEA Bank), and cases involving Swiss franc loan holders.
Potential Next Steps
The legal conflict is likely to escalate to the highest levels of the judiciary. The Ministry of Justice has announced its intention to file a cassation with the Supreme Administrative Court (NSA), arguing that the WSA’s ruling was erroneous and that the syndic’s actions constituted a gross violation of the law.
While Krzysztof G. Has won a temporary victory in the administrative court, he remains a suspect in a criminal investigation and may continue to be barred from practicing under current statutes. The outcome of the criminal proceedings could ultimately determine whether the “presumption of legality” provided by judicial approval holds up against criminal charges of fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Marcin Kubiczek’s license suspended?
The Ministry of Justice suspended his license on May 4 due to serious irregularities in the settlement and amount of expenses in bankruptcy proceedings, specifically regarding public relations and legal services in cases involving Getin Noble Bank, IDEA Bank, and Swiss franc loan holders.
What was the basis for the court’s decision to overturn Krzysztof G.’s license revocation?
The Voivodeship Administrative Court ruled that the Ministry did not sufficiently prove the costs were excessive or purposeless and noted that because supervising judges had approved the expenses, they were presumed to be legal.
What is the human impact of these bankruptcy irregularities?
Bankruptcy proceedings are intended to resolve debts, but in these cases, funds meant for creditors and employees are allegedly being “consumed” by syndics and their teams of lawyers, accountants, and PR specialists.
Do you believe judicial approval should automatically protect a professional from administrative sanctions?
