JLSW Janaszczyk Lis I Wspolnicy has contributed to a major settlement resolving long-standing disputes arising from one of Poland’s most significant railway infrastructure investments: the Łódź Fabryczna station and transport hub.

On 27 October 2026, a settlement agreement was concluded between three public entities — PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A., the City of Łódź and PKP S.A. — and a consortium of contractors comprising TORPOL S.A., Webuild (formerly Astaldi), INTERCOR and PBDiM Mińsk Mazowiecki.

Acting as legal counsel to PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A., our firm participated in the mediation and negotiations that led to the agreement. Olga Stiefel-Brzezińska, representing JLSW, was involved in the discussions from the outset, working closely with the client's legal team to negotiate the settlement terms.

Resolving a decade of complex disputes

Completed and opened in 2016, Łódź Fabryczna is one of Poland's landmark railway infrastructure developments. The project involved the modernisation of the Łódź Widzew–Łódź Fabryczna railway section, the construction of a major underground railway station and the development of an integrated multimodal transport hub.

Despite the project's completion, disputes concerning additional construction works, costs and delays remained unresolved for years, resulting in complex litigation before the Regional Court in Łódź.

Photo credit: Sebastian Glapinski platinstudio, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The newly concluded agreement provides for a settlement of approximately PLN 71.4 million gross, with the consortium withdrawing its outstanding contractual claims. The agreement, which also addresses two court proceedings, remains subject to approval by the Regional Court in Łódź.

The importance of mediation in major infrastructure disputes

Beyond its financial significance, the settlement demonstrates the effectiveness of mediation in resolving complex commercial disputes involving multiple stakeholders, including public authorities and private contractors.

Such negotiations require more than legal expertise. They demand a thorough understanding of the technical, contractual and financial challenges associated with major infrastructure projects, as well as the ability to build consensus among parties with competing interests.

The participation of three public entities makes this agreement particularly noteworthy, demonstrating how constructive dialogue and sustained negotiations can deliver solutions even in exceptionally complicated disputes.

We are proud to have contributed to this important outcome, which reflects our experience in commercial dispute resolution and our commitment to helping clients navigate demanding, multi-party negotiations.

We thank PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. for the trust placed in our firm and the opportunity to represent its interests in this significant matter.

This settlement is a valuable reminder that even the most complex and long-standing infrastructure disputes can be resolved through sustained dialogue, constructive negotiation and a shared commitment to finding solutions.

Photo credit: Travelarz, CC BY-SA 3.0 PL, via Wikimedia Commons