We review business logic from the regulator’s perspective before the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) does.
Compliance with industry regulations is no longer enough to ensure peace of mind—consumer laws are broad, and penalties for violations run into the millions. We help banks, insurers, and lending companies create products that are beneficial for business and safe for consumers.
Banks and insurers are familiar with the requirements of the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), but they don’t feel confident when dealing with the UOKiK. These are two different worlds, with different priorities and ways of operation. That is why we combine these two perspectives: the industry perspective (we understand how you operate in the financial market) and the consumer perspective (we know the UOKiK’s reasoning because our team includes experts who helped establish that agency). We do not stifle your business with legal jargon but rather find solutions that allow it to operate legally within a challenging regulatory environment.
We support market leaders in high-risk matters—from product design to defence against fines amounting to tens of millions of zlotys.
Project: Santander Leasing had to adapt its lease agreements with farmers to the requirements of the Consumer Credit Act. The new regulations changed the entire contract process, the lender’s obligations, and the cost structure.
Our role: Our consumer protection, banking, and finance teams worked together to guide the client through the implementation. We did more than just prepare a legal opinion—we designed the entire process in compliance with the new requirements, from a creditworthiness assessment to a loan cost structure.
Result: Santander Leasing avoided the risk of penalties for violating consumer regulations and implemented processes that function smoothly in its day-to-day business operations.
Project: Tutlo planned to offer consumers the option to pay their obligations in installments using third-party financing.
Our role: We analyzed the business model for risks of allegations of circumventing the Consumer Credit Act. We combined regulatory expertise with an understanding of financing mechanisms.
Result: We recommended solutions that enabled the implementation of an attractive installment plan without infringing on consumer interests. The client avoided the risk of future regulatory issues that could have halted the entire project.
Project: Open Life TU Życie was imposed a fine of 20 million zlotys by the UOKiK for alleged violations in the distribution of unit-linked policies. It was one of the highest fines for consumer practices in the history of the insurance sector.
Our role: We led a landmark court case, combining the expertise of consumer lawyers with insurance experts. We analyzed not only the product itself but the entire mechanism of the unit-linked insurance market in Poland.
Result: In the court proceedings, the fine imposed on our client was significantly reduced. The case demonstrated to the market that the UOKiK can be effectively challenged using the right expertise.
At WKB Lawyers, we don’t refer you to another department. Your project is led by a team of experts who collaborate on a daily basis, saving your time.
We know what to expect before the officials take action.
We have one of the largest teams in Poland dedicated exclusively to consumer law.
We monitor CJEU case law, political developments, and international trends to be always prepared for regulatory and political shifts.
We seek solutions that won’t undermine your product’s business potential but will allow it to operate safely in the market.
Every situation is different: sometimes you need to anticipate risks with a new product, sometimes respond to questions from the authorities, and sometimes engage in a dispute. A brief conversation is all it takes to assess whether our proposal is right for you.