Mandatory representation by an attorney or legal counsel and access to the courts in civil cases

The text discusses the problem of mandatory representation by a lawyer as one of the legal solutions that are crucial for access to courts. The starting point for the author’s deliberations is the analysis of the institution of legal aid of a professional representative in litigation, which – along with other constructions – constitutes a guarantee of effective implementation of the right to court in civil matters. Against the background of these considerations, the author presents the construction of mandatory representation by a lawyer in the Polish legal system, with particular emphasis on its subjective and objective scope. These considerations are complemented by de lege ferenda conclusions, relating, among other things, to projects considered in the Polish doctrine concerning the extension of the scope of application of mandatory representation to proceedings before the court of second instance.