Sąd Najwyższy (Supreme Court of Poland)

Zbigniew Kapiński
First President of the Supreme Court

First President since: 27 May 2026
Member of the Supreme Court since: 2022

Biography and career

Zbigniew Kapiński, Judge of the Supreme Court adjudicating in the Criminal Chamber since 27 June 2022, appointed President of the Supreme Court heading the Criminal Chamber as of 27 May 2023, and then, by a decision of the President of the Republic of Poland, appointed to the office of First President of the Supreme Court for a six-year term as of 27 May 2026.

He was born on 16 February 1963 in Mokobody. In 1988, he graduated with a master’s degree in law from the Faculty of Law and Administration at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin. After completing his judicial training in Warsaw, he passed his professional exam in 1990. In 1990-1992, he worked as a junior judge (assessor) at the District Court in Siedlce, and in 1992 became a regular judge of that court. In 1996, he was appointed a judge of the Voivodeship Court in Siedlce, and in 2001, a judge of the Court of Appeal in Warsaw.

Initially, he served in both the 5th Lustration Division and the 2nd Criminal Division, and since 2007, he served exclusively in the 2nd Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal in Warsaw. In 2015-2022, while continuing to adjudicate full-time in the Criminal Division, he was a visiting judge in criminal cases. On 23 June 2022, Kapiński was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court by the President of the Republic of Poland. Subsequently, by a decision of the President of the Republic of Poland, he was appointed President of the Supreme Court heading the Criminal Chamber as of 27 May 2023, and then, by virtue of a decision of the President of the Republic of Poland, he was appointed to the office of First President of the Supreme Court for a six-year term as of 27 May 2026.

Apart from his judicial roles, Zbigniew Kapiński is a recognised expert in criminal law, especially criminal procedure. He is actively engaged in the training of judges, prosecutors, advocates, attorneys-at-law and notaries. He was involved in the training of judges at conferences held within the jurisdiction of various Courts of Appeal, including Warsaw, Łódź, Wrocław and Białystok. Kapiński was also a member of examination boards for the bar application. Moreover, he was involved in the training of judges and trainee judges as a lecturer at the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution in Kraków. In 2004-2015, he lectured at the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce.

He participated in numerous international judicial conferences, including the first meeting of judges from the European Union with representatives of the newly acceded countries in 2004, held in Luxembourg.
He has authored several scientific papers, including the study Criminal appeals. Practical issues, files and case studies.

He is married, with four children.