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Introduction

Roman is a bilingual barrister admitted to practice both in the UK and Poland. Born in the UK, he graduated from Birmingham University and was called to the UK Bar in 1989 and was admitted to practice in Poland in 2018. He has a  deep knowledge of both the English and Polish legal systems. His practice covers various areas of civil litigation, which include matters involving trusts, probate, copyright and land issues. His expertise extends to Polish-related civil litigation, including probate and general procedural advice on comparative law issues including residence, domicile and jurisdiction. 

Roman undertakes all types of civil procedure hearings including directions hearings, C&CMC hearings, interim applications, applications for summary judgment/strike-out, relief from sanctions and security for costs as well as enforcement hearings.

During his more than 25 years of professional practice, Roman spent nine years in Poland working on many privatisation and restructuring projects. He has also translated and annotated the Polish Commercial Code into English. Roman has represented private individuals (Polish and English) as well as large commercial entities both in Poland and the UK. Recently, Roman has been advising large corporates on their commercial and strategic operations at Polish Port terminals in the Gdansk/Gdynia areas.

Earlier in his career, Roman was engaged by KPMG in Poland to assist in the restructuring and profiling of its legal practice (KLegal). He also served as Legal Counsel to Wardynski & Partners servicing foreign clients investing in Poland. In 2015 Roman was instructed to obtain charitable trust status for a Polish educational trust that had failed because of the Equality Act 2010.

Roman heads the 33 Bedford Row Poland Desk.

Expertise: general civil litigation; landlord and tenant; personal injury; probate; comparative aspects of Anglo-Polish litigation. Roman Poplawski has been a barrister for 23 years, during which time he has acquired a vast wealth of civil law experience. Of those 23 years in practice, 9 were spent in Poland, where he was heavily involved in Privatisation work and inward investment projects during Poland’s earlier period of transition. At the time he translated the Polish Civil Code into English and gained a huge insight into the workings of Polish business and legal process. In 2008 he was sourced to assist in the Law Debenture v Elektrim litigation, where the Polish Defendants had agreed to English law jurisdiction in this long running, high value legal saga. Roman is first and foremost a civil advocate with a wealth of experience in all aspects of civil law. He advises regularly on various aspects of English law with a Polish twist and often represents the interests of Polish nationals living here and in Poland. He regularly appears in the County Court in civil and probate related matters. Roman leads chambers’ Polish Client Services Initiative.

Direct Access

Roman is accredited to accept work under Direct access, also known as Public access, in suitable cases. In addition, Roman is certified by the Bar Standards Board to conduct litigation, which means that he can carry out a wide range of services. In order to instruct Roman on a Direct access basis, contact the clerks on +44 (0) 20 7242 6476 or at [email protected].

 

Call 1989.

Notable Cases

For many years Roman was a non-Executive Director of a UK AIM quoted music company and advised it on various aspects of its regulatory and corporate requirements. In addition, Roman advised on and drafted agreements dealing with the particular client’s music licensing activities. 

Representing a Pakistani client in Karachi appearing at the High Court of Sindh with a ‘recognition’ motion relating to Pakistani assets and an English grant of letters of administration.

Instructed to obtain charitable trust status for a Polish educational Trust that had failed because of the Equality Act 2010

Law Debenture & Concord Trust v ElektrimEngaged by Barlow Lyde & Gilbert (now Clyde & Co) to act as the interface between their Polish client throughout the entire litigation process culminating in the hearing in the High Court in May/June 2010. The value of the claim was €770 million and was brought by the claimants against the Polish defendant for non-payment of a contractual bonus based on the value of Elektrim’s assets (in liquidation) at a fixed time in the past.

Recently Roman has been advising large international entities on their commercial and strategic operations at Polish Port Terminals.

Publications

English translation and annotation of the Polish Civil Code to be published by Dom Wydawniczy ABC, 2001

Contributing Editor to European Current Law published by Sweet & Maxwell (Polish legislation), 1992

Translation into English and Annotation of the Second Revised Edition of the Polish Commercial Code, published by Dom Wydawniczy ABC in Warsaw, 1999

"The Polish Civil Code", published in the December 1992 issue of the International Practitioner, December 1992

Testimonials

“Roman is always available to discuss a knotty legal problem, offers common sense wise advice, and is always willing to take on any matter which has a challenge. He is highly professional and totally dependable." Roma Paluch - Senior Partner, A Kay Pietron & Paluch Solicitors

“We work under a Direct Public Access arrangement with Roman Poplawski. This provides us with a blend of commercial guidance along with a proper and practical understanding of a business situation from a legal perspective. Roman is an exceptional lawyer, a great communicator and a decent human being who always ‘does the right thing’. His advice has always steered us well and supported our business with key decisions.” – Les Straszewski, Director, Toucari Live

 

English and Polish (bilingual) and French (conversational/proficient)

 

LLB, Birmingham University