The Legal 500

of war for foreigners managing multi-hectare farms in Poland?

On 1 March 2013, new regulations on the compensation due to employee on account of business travel entered into force, replacing two separate regulations which had applied so far to domestic and abroad business trips, respectively. They not only apply to employees of public sector entities, but also to those working for private sector entities, if those matters are not regulated in collective labour agreements or remuneration regulations.

With recent amendments to Poland's Labour Law, the minimum gross salary has been raised, the obligation to notify regional labour inspectors and competent sanitary inspectors of certain business-related activities and developments has been abolished, and a new equivalent factor for determining the payments due to employees for holidays unused in kind has been introduced. In addition, amendments have been proposed that would impact the length of maternity, parental and childcare leave, govern the use of flexible working hours, and prolong the maximum settlement period to 12 months. This survey provides an overview of these developments and the proposed amendments.

Poland’s renewable energy industry is closely watching the Polish government’s work on an amended draft of the act on renewable energy sources (the "Bill"). The Bill is part of a package of new energy legislation (the "Energy Package") comprising a new gas law, a new energy law and the act containing implementing provisions regarding all those energy acts (the "Implementing Act").

Constitutional Tribunal

of war for foreigners managing multi-hectare farms in Poland?

According to Ministry of Finance announcements, many of the bilateral double tax treaties (“DTTs”) concluded by Poland are being renegotiated. As many as 4 protocols amending the current DTTs have been signed so far in 2012, i.e. with Cyprus, Iceland, Luxembourg and Norway. Those currently in force between Poland - Czech Republic and Poland- Canada will be replaced by new ones.

Social Insurance Institution’s activities regarding the calculation of retirement benefits

The latest bill on VAT is currently at the stage of inter-ministerial discussion, and should be submitted to the Sejm shortly. According to the Ministry of Finance, the bill will come into force on 1 January 2013.

During recessionary times, one might ask a question: Is it possible to combine profit with business ethics and still earn money? When even those too big to fail can feel threatened and weakened by the contemporary state of the global economy, one should direct him or herself towards a way of doing business that respects higher moral values. Halal project finance can be seen as such an example.

Amendment of the Reimbursement Law with respect to incentives and contracting concerning reimbursed products