zastpstwa

Zastępstwo is a Polish term meaning substitution, replacement, or acting in the place of another person. It covers both informal and formal substitutions and can refer to a temporary or permanent replacement. The noun derives from zastępca, meaning deputy or stand-in.

In everyday use, zastępstwo describes a substitution of duties: a teacher acting as a substitute, a manager’s deputy taking over responsibilities during absence, or an actor serving as a stand-in.

In legal contexts, zastępstwo has a more precise meaning. In civil and administrative proceedings, a party may be represented by another person who acts as their agent under a power of attorney (pełnomocnictwo). This representation, sometimes described as zastępstwo procesowe, allows the representative to perform procedural acts, file documents, and participate in hearings on behalf of the party. Certain forms of public or corporate representation can also be framed as zastępstwo, where a deputy or proxy holds authority to act in the entrusted matter.

The concept contrasts with other notions such as wymiana or zamiana (exchange or swap), as zastępstwo implies one person acting for another rather than a mutual exchange of items. In law, the exact scope and limits of zastępstwo are defined by statutes or contractual agreements.

Typical examples include a teacher on leave covered by a substitute, or a municipal official acting as zastępca during the mayor’s absence. While widespread, the term’s precise legal implications depend on the context and the applicable regulations.