The Polish National Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into Zbigniew Kapiński, the current First President of the Supreme Court (SN). The probe centers around allegations that Kapiński, during his tenure as head of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division from May 2023 to May 2026, issued rulings that potentially violated legal procedures and undermined the rights of parties involved in court proceedings. According to the prosecution, these decisions could have hindered the ability of participants in legal cases to invoke the provisions of Article 41(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which outlines the grounds for disqualifying a judge. This provision serves as a general justification for excluding a judge from a case.
Kapiński was informed about the initiation of the investigation by a letter from the disciplinary representative of the Supreme Court, which referred the matter to the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court regarding alleged misconduct related to an incident on January 4, 2024. During this incident, he reportedly prevented the appropriate chamber—the Labor Chamber—from adjudicating a case involving European Parliament members Maciej Wąsik and Mariusz Kamiński. In response to the investigation, Kapiński described the situation as a “coordinated political action,” emphasizing that he would allow the legal process to proceed without interference. He urged both the prosecution and the Disciplinary Chamber to carry out their respective duties independently.
According to the National Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation was launched following notifications from Supreme Court judges who claimed that certain orders issued by Kapiński had effectively prevented the recognition of motions to exclude judges based on established procedural rules. These actions, according to the prosecution, may have compromised the right to an independent and impartial judiciary, thereby affecting both public interest and private interests of individuals involved in legal proceedings. The investigation began on May 28 of this year after receiving reports from the judges. As part of the preliminary inquiry, the prosecutors interviewed the notifying judges as witnesses and collected documentation including the orders issued by the head of the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court and the subsequent decisions made based on those orders in cases concerning motions to exclude judges.
The investigation is being conducted by a specialized team within the National Prosecutor’s Office, formed earlier this year under the leadership of Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek. This team was tasked with preventing negative consequences arising from judicial decisions made by judges appointed with the involvement of the so-called new Judicial Council (neo-KRS). The group is responsible for gathering information about the composition of courts handling cases where such judges preside, analyzing potential adverse effects of their rulings, and initiating proceedings aimed at mitigating these impacts. Additionally, the team must prepare and consult legal documents, including complaints, applications, and other written submissions, as well as conduct analyses and provide legal opinions on relevant matters.
The role of the team includes participating in court sessions and hearings in the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, collaborating with department heads of the National Prosecutor’s Office, and coordinating the participation of prosecutors in these proceedings. The team is also required to submit monthly reports to the Prosecutor General detailing their activities and progress.
Kapiński assumed the position of First President of the Supreme Court at the end of May, following a decision by President Karol Nawrocki. He replaced Magdalena Manowska in this role. His tenure as head of the Criminal Division lasted three years, ending in May 2026. The investigation into his actions during this period is now underway, with the prosecution seeking to determine whether his decisions were legally justified or if they constituted an abuse of power. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for the functioning of the judiciary in Poland and the perception of its independence.
5 reports
OKO.pressIndependentCenterFactual 98Objective 903 days agoThe National Prosecution Office has initiated an investigation into former Supreme Court President Zbigniew Kapiński regarding his decisions that allegedly blocked the examination of the status of neo-judges within the Supreme Court. The investigation focuses on Kapiński's rulings during his tenure as head of the Criminal Division, where he reportedly prevented legal judges from challenging the legitimacy of neo-judges appointed by the illegal Neo-Council of the Judiciary (Neo-KRS). These decisions are claimed to have violated legal procedures and constitutional guarantees of judicial independence and impartiality. The prosecution alleges that Kapiński acted without legal basis and potentially undermined the rights of parties involved in court proceedings and the proper functioning of the judiciary.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about an ongoing legal investigation involving high-ranking judicial figures and allegations of procedural violations. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing. The content remains focused on the legal process and the
Why these scores (Factual 98 · Objective 90): Very high factual accuracy with detailed reporting on the investigation, including the timeframe, Kapiński's role, and the legal basis for the charges. The article is highly objective, presenting facts without overt bias or emotional language.
Polsat NewsIndependentLeftFactual 97Objective 884 days agoThe Polish judiciary has launched an investigation into Zbigniew Kapiński, the current President of the Supreme Court and former President of the Criminal Chamber from 2023 to 2026. The Prosecutor’s Office alleges that Kapiński issued orders between May 8, 2024, and May 25, 2026, which allegedly violated legal procedures and deprived parties of their right to a fair and impartial trial. These actions are suspected to have aimed at eliminating the possibility of removing judges from cases in accordance with procedural rules, thereby undermining judicial independence. The investigation was initiated by prosecutors tasked with preventing negative consequences of rulings made by judges appointed through the National Council of the Judiciary after 2017.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the investigation as a legitimate legal action against a high-ranking judicial figure, emphasizing potential violations of judicial independence and fairness. While the content is factual, the focus on the accused's alleged misconduct and the implication of systemic issues within
Why these scores (Factual 97 · Objective 88): High factual accuracy with precise details on the investigation, including the timeframe and legal grounds. The article is mostly objective but includes some framing that may subtly imply wrongdoing by Kapiński.
TVN24IndependentCenterFactual 96Objective 874 days agoThe Polish National Prosecution Office has initiated an investigation into potential abuse of power by Zbigniew Kapiński, the current President of the Supreme Court and former head of the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court. The probe focuses on actions taken between May 8, 2024, and May 25, 2026, during which Kapiński led the Criminal Division. The investigation centers on alleged unlawful orders issued by Kapiński that aimed to prevent the recognition of motions to disqualify judges, potentially violating the rights to an independent and impartial court. Judges of the Supreme Court filed the report with the prosecution on May 28 of this year. As part of the investigation, witnesses were questioned, and documentation related to Kapiński’s decisions regarding judge disqualification motions was collected. The case could result in up to three years in prison if proven.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about an ongoing legal investigation involving a high-ranking judicial official without overtly favoring any side. It includes quotes from the prosecution and provides context about the timeline and nature of the allegations. There is no evident bias in the d
Why these scores (Factual 96 · Objective 87): High factual accuracy with clear reporting on the investigation and its scope. The article is largely objective but includes some contextual framing that may slightly affect neutrality.
Notes from PolandIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 853 days agoPolish prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into Supreme Court Chief Justice Zbigniew Kapiński, accusing him of abusing his powers by allegedly blocking motions to exclude 'neo-judges' from cases. The investigation follows accusations from fellow judges, who claim Kapiński acted to undermine judicial independence. Kapiński, appointed by the politically influenced National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) under the Law and Justice (PiS) government, denies the allegations, calling them part of a coordinated political attack. The controversy reflects a broader conflict between judges appointed under PiS and those appointed prior to its reforms, which critics argue undermined judicial independence. The case highlights ongoing tensions within Poland's judiciary and the politicization of judicial appointments.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the issue as a matter of judicial independence and political influence, without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the charges against Kapiński and the context of PiS's judicial reforms, while also noting the political implications of the appointment and the response of
Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 85): High factual accuracy with minor omissions. The article accurately reports the investigation into Kapiński and provides context about the KRS and PiS reforms. However, it omits specific details about the nature of the alleged misconduct and does not quote Kapiński directly. Objectivity is slightly r
RzeczpospolitaIndependentLeftFactual 94Objective 804 days agoThe Polish judiciary has launched an investigation into Zbigniew Kapiński, the first president of the Supreme Court, over allegations of misconduct related to his role as head of the Criminal Chamber between 2023 and 2026. The Prosecutor’s Office claims he issued orders that allegedly prevented the proper review of applications to exclude judges from cases, thereby undermining judicial independence and impartiality. Kapiński, who was interviewed on TVN24, described the investigation as a politically motivated attack, accusing the prosecutor’s office of acting against the interests of both private parties and the public good. The case involves a four-member team established by Prosecutor General Waldemar Żurek to examine potential negative impacts of rulings made by judges appointed under the neo-KR system.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the investigation as a politically motivated attack on Kapiński, suggesting a partisan agenda. It emphasizes his claim of political interference while downplaying the formal legal basis for the prosecution. The focus on judicial independence aligns with left-leaning critiques of a
Why these scores (Factual 94 · Objective 80): High factual accuracy with direct quotes from Kapiński and the prosecution. However, objectivity is somewhat compromised by the inclusion of Kapiński's political interpretation of the investigation, which introduces potential bias.
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