If the addressee of the norm (defined in the regulations in general terms, e.g. as a citizen, student, entrepreneur, state authority, woman) does not behave in accordance with the duty specified in the ordinary norm, he should suffer (although in reality he does not always suffer e.g. due to ineffective operation of the state mechanism) the negative consequences of his conduct (legal effects, legal sanctions).

It is worth remembering that the legislator also establishes norms-principles that do not express simple models of conduct to which specific conduct can be compared and in the case of which it is not possible to unambiguously determine a breach of the norm but norm-principles that may be implemented to a „certain extent”.

Legal responsibility can be borne by the virtue of the law (ex lege). This means that the legal effect takes place without any additional action of the state, automatically, based on the valid law. For instance, in Poland a real property may be sold only of the basis of a notary deed.

Source: Legal Responsibility w: Introduction to law J. Jabłońska-Bońca

a legal responsibility – odpowiedzialność prawna

an addressee of the norm – adresat normy

a citizen – obywatel

an entrepreneur – przedsiębiorca

a state authority – organ państwa

a duty specified in the ordinary norm – obowiązek wskazany w zwykłej normie

to suffer the negative consequences of his conduct – negatywne konsekwencje swoich zachowań

legal effects – skutki prawne,

legal sanctions – sankcje prawne

a legislator – prawodawca

norms-principles – normy-zasady

a breach of the norm – naruszenie normy prawnej

to be borne by the virtue of the law  – ponosić [odpowiedzialność] z mocy prawa

a valid law – obowiązujące prawo

notary deed – akt notarialny