Polish Constitutional and Administrative Law
Start from the structure of the 1997 Constitution: the preamble, 243 articles in 13 chapters, and the principle of a democratic state ruled by law (art. 2) from which legality, proportionality and legitimate expectations flow. Know the separation and balance of powers, the sources of law hierarchy (Constitution, ratified treaties and EU law, statutes, ratified international agreements, regulations, local acts), and that regulations must have a statutory basis (art. 92). Learn the catalogue of rights in Chapter II together with their limitation rule in art. 31(3): only by statute, only for specified aims, only to the extent necessary, never touching the essence of the right. Know the Constitutional Tribunal, the Supreme Administrative Court and the Ombudsman (art. 208–212).
In administrative law, master the Polish Code of Administrative Procedure (KPA): general principles (legality, proportionality, public interest, information and participation, persuasion, speed), the elements of a decision, the two-instance rule, deadlines, appeal, reopening of proceedings and the extraordinary means. Distinguish a decision (decyzja) from a postanowienie and from an act of local law.
Traps: articles cited with wrong numbering; confusing a statute with a regulation; assuming rights are absolute; mixing the two-instance rule with the right to appeal to a court; treating the Ombudsman as an appellate body. Rule of thumb: if an act limits a right, ask three questions - statute? legitimate aim? proportionate? - and if any answer is missing, the limitation is unlawful.