egzekucj

Egzekucja, in Polish law, denotes the enforcement of court judgments or other legal obligations, and also the carrying out of a criminal sentence. The term is used in two main contexts: civil enforcement of obligations and criminal penalties.

Civil enforcement refers to the process by which creditors obtain satisfaction of their claims through state-supported measures. It is administered by a bailiff (komornik) under court supervision. The steps typically include submitting a enforcement order, identifying and attaching debtors’ assets, garnishing wages, freezing bank accounts, and selling seized property. The system provides safeguards for debtors, such as exemptions to ensure minimum living conditions, opportunities to appeal, and options for payment plans or restructuring. Enforcement can be suspended in certain circumstances, for example in cases of insolvency or protected income.

Criminal enforcement concerns the execution of a sentence imposed by a court, most often imprisonment. In some jurisdictions, it may also cover the enforcement of fines or other penalties. Modern systems emphasize humane treatment, due process, and prisoners’ rights, with mechanisms for parole, remission, and rehabilitation as part of the sentence’s execution.

Global context and legal variation: The specifics of egzekucja vary between countries and legal traditions. While civil enforcement is common across civil-law jurisdictions, the procedures, authorities, and safeguards differ. In many European countries, the use of the death penalty has been abolished and is not part of modern criminal enforcement, including Poland.

Historical notes: Historically, egzekucja could include corporal punishment or the death penalty in some jurisdictions. Over time, modern criminal justice systems have largely replaced such forms with imprisonment and civil enforcement mechanisms.