Modernisation of the National Court Register
National Court Register, consisting of the following three various registers, was set up according to act dated August 20th 1997:
1) Register of Entrepreneurs
2) Register of associations, other social and professional organizations, foundations and public medical health centres,
3) Register of Insolvent Debtors
Several amendments have been introduced to both, the indicated act and the registers, from the moment the law was passed. The aim of the amendments was to improve the registration process of the entities taking part in the economic turnover, keep up with the constantly developing market of entrepreneurs and widely understood informatization of processes connected with registration of companies, associations, etc. At present Central Information Office of National Court Register issues paper abstracts and provides information in paper and electronic form. It must be underlined that time-consuming and expensive steps have to be undertaken to obtain one of the mentioned documents. It is a relic from the past to regard the official value of the documents only in the paper form – which in informatization age is an element slowing down the above mentioned processes.
The latest news from Ministry of Justice indicates that National Court Register should be subject to changes in accordance with contemporary economy. The Ministry plans to modernize operation of National Court Register in 2011 and place it together with similar registers of the European Union States. According to the amendment to the bill sent by Parliament to further work, National Court Register will open virtual doors for entrepreneurs and citizens. It is stipulated in the bill to enable virtual viewing of full registration details of entities included in National Court Register. The details include such registration documents as specimen signatures, contracts, statutes and others. Nevertheless, the greatest achievement of the mentioned amending is legal and official validity of electronically obtained documents. Before it becomes possible Minister of Justice is to determine characteristics enabling electronic verification of documents, which will replace present copies. Practically it means that one is able to generate a copy from National Court Register in the form of e-document and present it in court as annex to any statement of claim or deliver it to any office in order to obtain an administrative decision. However, it is to underline that work on conditions of electronic signature is still carried on. At present there are two drafts formulating safety requirements of the electronic signature.
The above steps can be regarded as the next measure in informatization and economic turnover facilitation after introduction of electronic proceedings by writ of payment in Polish judiciary or on-line offices of public administration. It should be stressed that it is the next stage in introducing changes which will help to save time and reduce costs in legal relations of entities.
(Jan Pettke)