Prosecutor's Office Launches Investigation Into Supreme Court Chief Zbigniew Kapiński
Zbigniew Kapiński, the new chief of the Supreme Court, is suspected of exceeding his authority. The investigation was opened following a complaint filed by judges of the same court.
Prosecutor's Office Launches Investigation Into Supreme Court Chief Zbigniew Kapiński
The National Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation against Zbigniew Kapiński, who took up the position of chief of the Supreme Court in early June. He is accused of abuse of authority whilst overseeing the Criminal Chamber of this institution.
The proceedings were initiated by a complaint filed by other Supreme Court judges on 28 May 2026. According to the prosecution, sufficient evidence has been collected, including witness testimony and documentation, to justify a "reasonable suspicion of committing a crime".
Kapiński allegedly committed violations in the period from May 2024 to May 2026 by rejecting requests to exclude so-called "neo-judges" from reviewing cases. These requests were based on doubts about the legality of the appointment of these officials by the National Council of the Judiciary following the 2017 reform.
Kapiński himself belongs to the group of judges appointed by the NCJ after the body was taken over by politicians. His selection for the position of Supreme Court chief by President Karol Nawrocki on 25 May was met with a boycott from many judges appointed before the reform.
In an interview with TVN, the new Supreme Court chief stated that he treats the accusations as a "coordinated political action". He explained that he rejected requests to exclude colleagues from adjudication because they were intended to "drag out proceedings for months, or even years". He assured that he was guided solely by the pursuit of procedural efficiency.
If found guilty, he faces up to three years imprisonment. However, as chief of the Supreme Court, Kapiński enjoys immunity, which can be lifted only by the State Tribunal — a body that he chairs ex officio.
On the same day that he learned of the investigation, Kapiński also received information from the disciplinary ombudsman of the Supreme Court that another case had been referred against him to a body dealing with judicial misconduct. This case concerns the proceedings of former ministers Maciej Wąsik and Mariusz Kamiński.
Source: Notes from Poland
Source: Notes From Poland