The Court and Commercial Gazette (MSiG) is one of the most important tools for every entrepreneur. Learn what MSiG is, what types of announcements are published in it, and how you can use it to protect your business.
What is the Court and Commercial Gazette (MSiG)?
The Court and Commercial Gazette (MSiG) is an official government journal maintained by the Ministry of Justice. It publishes announcements and notices required by law, both for entrepreneurs and creditors.
Why is this important? Because the content of MSiG has official status, and the information published there may significantly affect your business interests. It allows you to verify the reliability of a company or the financial situation of your business partner.
situation of your business partner.
What Information Is Published in MSiG?
In the Court and Commercial Gazette (MSiG) you can find, among others:
Notices required by the Commercial Companies Code – for example, increases or reductions of share capital, initiation of company liquidation.
Information required by the Code of Civil Procedure – such as announcements of bailiff auctions or notifications of pending proceedings.
Announcements related to business activity – for example, entries in the register of pledges.
Important Change Since December 2021
It is important to remember that announcements arising from bankruptcy and restructuring law are no longer published in MSiG but in the National Debtors Register (KRZ). You can learn more about this topic in our article on the National Debtors Register.
MSiG vs. National Debtors Register (KRZ) – Key Differences
Although both the Court and Commercial Gazette (MSiG) and the National Debtors Register (KRZ) serve as official sources of information, they differ in the scope of published data.
- MSiG – covers mainly announcements related to company operations and civil proceedings (e.g., changes in the National Court Register, bailiff auctions).
- KRZ – since 2021, it has taken over announcements concerning bankruptcy and restructuring law (e.g., information on the declaration of bankruptcy, commencement of restructuring proceedings, or approval of a restructuring plan).
In practice, this means that to gain a full picture of a business partner’s situation, it is worth checking both sources – MSiG for corporate and registry changes, and KRZ for possible bankruptcy or restructuring proceedings.
How to Check a Business Partner in MSiG – Step by Step
Do you want to see whether announcements regarding a company or an individual have appeared in MSiG? You can do it yourself:
- Go to: https://prs.ms.gov.pl
Click on the “Portal of Court Registers” tile.
Scroll down and select “Court and Commercial Gazette”.
Enter the entity’s details (e.g., company name, full name, or KRS number).
Click “Search”.
The system will display all announcements related to that entity. This allows you to review a company’s notices and assess its legal and financial situation – helping you avoid signing a contract with a business that may already have declared bankruptcy.
What Do Announcements and Changes Mean for Entrepreneurs?
Notices published in MSiG are not just formalities – they can have a direct impact on the security of your business. Each entry may signal either positive developments in a company or potential risks concerning your business partners, for example:
- Increase or reduction of share capital – an increase usually indicates growth and expansion, while a reduction may be a warning sign of financial difficulties.
- Opening of company liquidation – a clear indication that the business is winding up and may fail to fulfill its obligations.
How Does MSiG Help Protect Your Business?
The Court and Commercial Gazette is one of the most important tools for:
- Verifying business partners – check whether a company is not in bankruptcy or liquidation,
- Monitoring changes in companies – such as changes in management boards or share capital,
- Ensuring transaction security – minimize business risks before signing a contract.
What to Watch Out for in a Business Partner?
Announcements in MSiG can reveal warning signs about a company you are planning to work with. Examples include:
- Opening of restructuring proceedings – indicates that the company is struggling to meet its obligations and is seeking protection from creditors.
- Frequent changes in the management board within a short period – may signal instability, internal disputes, or attempts to avoid liability.
- Reduction of share capital to the statutory minimum – often a sign of deteriorating financial health and lack of resources to continue operations.
- Registered pledge on company assets – may suggest excessive debt and liquidity issues.
- Announcement of a merger or acquisition – the partner may change its business profile, making existing contracts less relevant.
- Company liquidation notice – a clear signal that the business is winding up, posing a risk to cooperation.
- Appointment of a court-appointed supervisor (curator) – suggests serious management problems and lack of authorized representatives.
- Court-ordered dissolution of the company – may point to serious breaches of obligations (e.g., failure to file financial statements).
- Announcement of forced sale of assets – indicates enforcement actions against the company.
- Lack of required publications – for example, failure to publish financial statements may show avoidance of obligations and the risk of penalties.
Common Mistakes When Using MSiG
Although the Court and Commercial Gazette (MSiG) is easily accessible online, entrepreneurs often make mistakes when using it. Avoiding these will help you gain a complete and reliable picture of your business partner’s situation.
- Checking only one publication – many people look only at the most recent notice instead of reviewing the full history, which can result in missing important information.
- Failing to analyze the significance of announcements – for example, treating a reduction of share capital or appointment of a curator as a mere formality, when in fact they may signal serious financial problems.
- Ignoring frequent changes in management – board turnover is often underestimated, yet it is a key warning sign.
- Confusing MSiG with KRZ – some entrepreneurs search MSiG for bankruptcy or restructuring data, although since 2021 such announcements are published exclusively in the National Debtors Register (KRZ).
- Relying solely on MSiG – while MSiG is important, a full picture emerges only when data from MSiG, KRZ, and the National Court Register (KRS) are combined.
- Lack of regular checks – verifying a partner only once, e.g. at the beginning of cooperation, is not enough. Their situation should be monitored over time.
Practical Example – How MSiG Can Help You Avoid Losses
Mr. Kowalski, the owner of a small construction company, was planning to sign a contract for a large supply of materials. Before signing, he decided to check the potential contractor in the Court and Commercial Gazette (MSiG). It turned out that restructuring proceedings had just been opened against the company, and its history contained several alarming notices, including pledges on assets and frequent management changes.
Thanks to this information, Kowalski withdrew from the cooperation and found another supplier. In practice, he avoided financial losses that could have occurred if the company had failed to fulfill the contract.
This is why it is worth regularly checking your business partners in both MSiG and KRZ. Our law firm can help you analyze announcements and minimize risks – protecting your business interests. Contact us to learn more.
Summary
The Court and Commercial Gazette (MSiG) is not just a legal requirement but also a practical tool for entrepreneurs and creditors. Regularly reviewing the notices published there helps protect your interests and make business decisions based on reliable data.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the difference between MSiG and KRZ?
MSiG publishes announcements mainly related to the Commercial Companies Code, while since 2021 bankruptcy and restructuring information has been published in KRZ.
2. Is publication in MSiG automatic?
Yes. Every change in a company’s data in the National Court Register (KRS) is automatically published in MSiG.
3. Is access to MSiG paid?
No. The search engine available on the Ministry of Justice’s website is free of charge.
4. What information about a business partner is worth checking in MSiG?
Above all, changes in the management board, announcements of liquidation, or bankruptcy proceedings.
Do you want to be sure that you are working with a reliable business partner? Contact us – we will help you analyze the announcements in MSiG and assess your contractor’s legal situation.
