The Polish government aims to adopt a draft law in the second quarter of 2025 to expedite the resolution of court cases involving loans denominated or indexed to the Swiss franc. The initiative, outlined in the legislative and programmatic agenda of the Council of Ministers, seeks to address the backlog of such cases and improve judicial efficiency. The proposed legislation, titled the Draft Law on Special Arrangements for the Examination of Matters Related to Contracts Concluded with Consumers of Credit Agreements Denominated or Indexed to the Swiss Franc, includes measures designed to: • Alleviate congestion in courts caused by the influx of Swiss franc loan cases. • Safeguard citizens’ constitutional right to a timely hearing of their cases. • Introduce procedural mechanisms to streamline court operations in such cases. • Reduce the volume of court disputes by encouraging out-of-court resolutions. Key mechanisms in the proposal include procedural simplifications and dispute resolution tools. For instance, judicial processes will be accelerated by measures such as suspending consumers’ obligations to fulfill loan agreements upon filing claims against banks, allowing written testimony in franc cases, and enabling applications for counterclaim settlements. The draft also aims to limit the number of cases reaching courts by offering fiscal benefits to parties who withdraw legal remedies and introducing incentives for mediation and court settlements. At the same time, the law emphasizes protecting consumers’ rights and strengthening their position in disputes with financial institutions. Additionally, the proposal promotes out-of-court dispute resolution to further reduce the strain on the judicial system. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for preparing the draft, with the Council of Ministers expected to adopt it in Q2 2025. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by Swiss franc loan cases, ensuring both efficiency in court proceedings and fairness for consumers. Source: ISBnews