About us

Lawyers of the SSW Spaczyński, Szczepaniak i Wspólnicy Law Firm advise Clients on a wide range of problems concerning the issues of geology and mining.

We provide legal advice both concerning the activities connected with prospecting for, exploration and exploitation of natural resources and the elements of investment process accompanying such activities, joint-ventures – agreements between entrepreneurs, tendering procedures and public procurement, planning procedures or the administrative law in its broad sense. We also provide advice in the field of legal issues related to the protection of natural environment, the significance of which could not be overrated over the past few years as a result of the ongoing development, especially in the areas included in the Natura 2000 program. Our lawyers represent Clients in the matters of this nature, among others, in proceedings conducted before the Minister of the Environment, mining supervision authorities, environmental authorities, including the Regional Directors for Environmental Protection.

Specialists in the ESN practice are the authors of articles published in leading magazines dedicated to the issues of natural resources industry. The ESN practice of the SSW Law Firm is proud to provide consulting services to the biggest companies in the exploration and extraction sector of the world.

The Law Firm is associated with the following institutions:

Polish Association of Mining Industries Employers (established at the “Lewiatan” Confederation)
Institute for Energy Law – The Center for American and International Law

Our advice concerning the natural resources includes the following issues:

Comprehensive support in the preparation of concession applications for prospecting for and exploration of deposits and for exploitation of natural resources, including natural gas, crude oil, coal-bed methane, lignite, copper, dolomite deposits, aggregates and other natural resources,
Conducting proceedings related to the change and transfer of concession and the transfer of shares in mining usufruct,
Ongoing supervision over the concession proceedings regarding the recommendations and opinions issued by relevant central and local governmental authorities, including the monitoring of concession proceedings,
Advising on proceedings to create a mining usufruct,
Consultancy concerning access to geological information, the status of the obtained own geological information and the protection of such information,
Advice in the course of the approval of operation plans, preparing drafts of deposit development plans, geological documentation,
Consultancy concerning permits required for the implementation of mining investments (transport of explosive materials, transit of non-standard vehicles),
Obtaining environmental permits, water permits, decisions and permits concerning waste management, including hazardous and mining waste,
Legal support concerning the establishment of cooperation between entities based on cooperation agreements,
Preparing tendering documentation in proceedings concerning the award of utilities procurement,
Change of the status of agricultural and forestry land, issues concerning location, including spatial planning.

ESN department is recommended by Legal 500 2017

SSW was recognised in the area of Energy and Natural Resources. Piotr Spaczyński, Dominik Strzałkowski and Anna Piotrowska were distinguished in the ranking, due to successfully representing the leading international mining company in concession proceedings following the amendment of geological and mining law. Other flagship projects include consulting for another leading Polish mining company on a high value prospecting project.

The ESN department is recommended by Chambers Europe 2017

The SSW's Energy and Natural Resources practice was recognised in the 2017 Chambers Europe ranking. According to Chambers, the team is best known for in-depth expertise regarding mining and geological law projects, particularly at the stages of development and exploration within the natural resources extraction process. SSW is also active in the renewables sector and handles regulatory and contentious matters.

The firm's specialist reputation in this industry sector is noted by the clients who confirm that “Their focus is on mining regulations”. Another interviewee adds that "The SSW team's area of expertise is upstream oil and gas and coal mining."

Piotr Spaczyński - is seen by Chambers as a well-recognised name in the Polish energy market. He receives recognition for his oil and gas experience and is also active in the mining sector. He has practical experience of complex regulatory and environmental matters, often relating to concessions. He also handles contentious cases. Dominik Strzałkowski – is a visible figure in the mining and renewables sectors. “Clients like him” a source says.

The ESN department of SSW awarded in the ranking by IFLR 1000 2017

In 2017, the IFLR1000 ranking recognised SSW in three categories related to energy:

Energy & Infrastructure: Energy
Energy & Infrastructure: Infrastructure
Energy & Infrastructure: Mining

In the Energy & Infrastructure sector, Piotr Spaczyński was nominated as a “leading lawyer”. According to the authors of the ranking, SSW is best known for its work in the mining and natural resources sectors. Key projects in the research period include the work for a Canadian company from the natural resources production industry in relation to concession applications; work for a U.S. player from the production industry in relation to a mining tender; advising an Australian coal company on the transition of a project from exploration to production of coal; and acting for a leading Treasury-owned energy company on a master legal service agreement in relation to oil and gas exploration and production.