Abstract
This paper concerns fornication as a past and current notion in Polish law. Legal theory, particularly criminal law theory, is reviewed, and legal regulations relating to fornication are analysed. Fornication was a concept present in the Polish Penal Code of 1932 and the Polish Penal Code of 1969. The current Polish Penal Code of 1997 does not include this notion. However, it still appears in other current legal regulations. The main aim of this article is to analyse the comprehensibility of the notion of fornication and to draw conclusions regarding necessary amendments to laws aimed at eliminating this term from Polish legal language. The conclusions presented in this work are original and significant for Polish legal theory and penal law practice.