The Supreme Court hears a cassation appeal in a panel of three judges. In other cases, the Supreme Court adjudicates in a panel of one judge. The scope of jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, as a court of cassation, includes examining the validity of the second-instance court's annulment of the decision to reject the cassation appeal due to failure to pay the fee due on time (I CKN 264/98). The Supreme Court recognizes a cassation appeal at a closed session, unless the case involves an important legal issue and the complainant has submitted in the cassation appeal a request for it to be examined at a hearing.
The Supreme Court may also recognize a cassation appeal at a hearing if other reasons justify it. At the hearing, the judge-rapporteur briefly presents the state of the case, with particular emphasis on the grounds and motions for cassation appeals. When giving the floor to the parties, the chairman may limit the speaking time, depending on the importance and complexity of the matter. If the Prosecutor General or a prosecutor authorized by him takes part in the hearing, the chairman gives him the floor after hearing the parties.