The author presented the results of empirical studies conducted in Polish courts. On the basis of an analysis of 250 observed and recorded trials (in various court proceedings) the author outlined a picture of the trial as a communication occurrence, in which persons with various levels of communication competence are involved in the interaction.

Karolina Gmerek is a Ph.D., works at the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Szczecin. She is also a member of the Legal Language Group of the Polish Language Council at the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Her scientific interests include the theory of law, legal communication and legal education.

Chapter 1 Theoretical grounding of the study of the communication process occurring at a trial - Chapter 2 Genre pattern of a trial - Chapter 3 Non- professional participant of court proceedings in a normatively determined communication situation