roszczenie

Roszczenie is a noun used in Polish to denote a right to demand from another person a specific action or forbearance, or the demand itself. In everyday language it can mean a claim, entitlement, or pretension. In legal context, roszczenie is the creditor’s right to require that a debtor fulfill an obligation, for example to pay money or to refrain from a particular conduct.

Roszczenia arise from various sources, such as contracts, statutes, or factual situations. Typical examples include a contract claim for payment under a sale agreement, a claim for damages after a breach of contract, or a claim for alimony. Enforcement of a roszczenie is pursued through civil procedure; the creditor must prove the basis and amount, and the claim may be subject to defenses and to prescription.

In ordinary speech, roszczenie can also describe unreasonable or entitled demands, where a person is perceived as expecting more than is justified. The term thus carries a nuanced meaning, ranging from a precise legal entitlement to a colloquial sense of a demand.

In Polish civil law, roszczenie is closely linked to the concepts of obligation (zobowiązanie) and the right to sue. The debtor is bound to satisfy the roszczenie, and failure to do so may lead to court remedies, including enforcement actions.