Investigation into First President of Supreme Court Zbigniew Kapiński
The National Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation against judge Zbigniew Kapiński, the current First President of the Supreme Court. The charges concern exceeding his powers in the Criminal Chamber in the years 2024–2026.
Prosecutor's office examines actions of Supreme Court chief
The National Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into exceeding of powers by judge Zbigniew Kapiński, according to an announcement by the polsatnews.pl portal on Monday. Kapiński served as president of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court from 2023 to 2026, and currently holds the position of First President of the Supreme Court.
The proceedings concern the period from 8 May 2024 to 25 May 2026. Investigators suspect that Kapiński issued orders without legal basis and in violation of applicable regulations, which resulted in depriving parties to proceedings of the ability to use the procedure specified in article 41 § 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure – namely the right to submit a request for recusal of a judge.
Anna Adamiak, spokeswoman for the Prosecutor General, stated in a statement that the investigation is being conducted by a team of prosecutors dealing with prevention of negative effects of judgements issued by judges appointed with the participation of the National Council of the Judiciary after 2017.
"The proceedings concern suspicion that (...) acting to the detriment of the private interest of parties to proceedings and the public interest in the form of proper functioning of the judiciary and judicial authority, this official issued (...) orders resulting in depriving parties to proceedings of the ability to initiate the procedure specified in article 41 § 1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure," the prosecutor's office stated.
According to the National Prosecutor's Office, these orders led to the elimination of consideration of requests for judge recusal in accordance with applicable procedural regulations, which consequently violated the right to an independent and impartial court.
Zbigniew Kapiński took over the presidency of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court in 2023. This year he was appointed by the President of the Republic to the position of First President of the Supreme Court. The judge himself previously announced that the disciplinary ombudsman had referred a matter against him to the Chamber of Professional Responsibility.
Source: Google News PL