Poland given to 16 August to comply with judgements of EU’s top court or face fines

The European Commission is giving Poland until 16 August to comply with judgements of the EU Court of Justice on the independence of the judicial system. Failing this, a financial penalty will be imposed, writes Catherine Feore. 

European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová said: “The rights of EU citizens and businesses must be protected in the same way across all member states. There can be no compromise on this.”

There is no further information as yet on the scale of the fine, but the rulings concerning the independence of the judicial system and the application of law by those courts which place Poland outside the EU’s legal order if it does not act on the Court’s judgements. 

The Polish Constitutional Tribunal has already signalled that it believes that it can ignore the ruling of the EU’s top court and selectively apply EU law. Academics have also argued that the situation in Poland doesn’t just contravene Poland’s commitments under EU treaties, but also commitments within Poland’s constitution.

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