Poles Give Harsh Verdict on Judiciary as CBOS Poll Reveals Deep Divisions

A June 2026 CBOS poll reveals that 61 percent of Poles view the judiciary negatively, citing procedural delays and politicization as the primary systemic problems.

Judicial Performance Ratings

The performance of the judiciary was evaluated positively by 26 percent of respondents, including 2 percent who rated it definitely well and 24 percent rather well. A contrasting view was held by 61 percent of surveyed individuals, within which 39 percent selected the response “rather bad” and 22 percent “definitely bad.” No opinion on the matter was held by 13 percent of respondents.

CBOS noted that the functioning of the judiciary is evaluated significantly more critically by men, respondents residing in the largest cities, individuals with the lowest and highest per capita incomes, and those declaring right-wing political views.

The judiciary is evaluated decidedly better by potential voters of the ruling coalition groupings—Civic Coalition and New Left. Considerably more skeptical assessments characterize voters of opposition groupings: Confederation Liberty and Independence, and Law and Justice. The judiciary is evaluated most harshly by supporters of the Confederation of the Polish Crown, indicated CBOS.

Indifferent Attitude Toward Judges

The Center also asked respondents about their attitude toward judges and their independence. The largest group, reaching 49 percent of respondents, replied that their attitude toward judges is neither positive nor negative. A positive approach toward judges was expressed by 19 percent of surveyed individuals, with 1 percent describing it as very positive and 18 percent as rather positive.

A negative opinion about judges was voiced by 23 percent of respondents, including 17 percent rather negatively and 6 percent very negatively. No opinion on this matter was held by 9 percent of respondents.

CBOS indicated that a negative attitude toward judges is decidedly more frequently expressed by men than women (29 percent compared to 17 percent), as well as by respondents with right-wing views (35 percent of negative ratings compared to 13 percent among respondents with left-wing views).

Judicial Independence

Another question asked by CBOS concerned the independence of judges. Surveyed individuals answered whether, in their opinion, judges in Poland are independent when adjudicating, meaning they are not subject to any external pressures.

The largest share, amounting to 50 percent of respondents, selected the answer “sometimes yes, sometimes no.” In the opinion of 18 percent of respondents, judges are independent during adjudication. Within this group, 2 percent consider that they are always independent, and 16 percent that they are independent in the vast majority of rulings.

The opposite opinion is held by 21 percent of surveyed individuals, of whom 17 percent consider that judges are rather not independent, and 4 percent think that judges are never independent. No opinion on this matter was held by 11 percent of respondents.

Declarations concerning judicial independence are linked to political views. The conviction regarding judicial independence is decidedly more frequently expressed by respondents with left-wing views (26 percent) than by right-wing supporters (14 percent).

Problems of the Judiciary

CBOS also asked about the most important problems currently encountered by the Polish judiciary.

Surveyed individuals by far most frequently spoke about the protraction of proceedings: sluggishness of courts, excessively long duration, and untimeliness of court proceedings at 38 percent.

The second most frequently raised issue was the broadly understood politicization of the judiciary at 18 percent.

As the third most significant problem of the Polish judiciary, respondents indicated unfair judgments at 10 percent.

Further down, they pointed to issues related to the ongoing political conflict surrounding the judiciary in Poland. This area included the crisis regarding the staffing of the National Council of the Judiciary, as well as the Constitutional Tribunal, and broadly understood problems with the appointment of judges at 9 percent.

CBOS reported that generalized statements of a negative nature directed at the Polish judiciary also appeared, although devoid of deeper substantive content at 7 percent.

Six percent of surveyed individuals pointed to the problem of poor working conditions in the judiciary, an insufficient number of judges, or general disorganization. In turn, 5 percent of respondents mentioned critical evaluations of currently binding legal provisions.

Additionally, respondents criticized penalties they deemed too low at 5 percent and pointed to the problem of corruption at 5 percent. Opinions regarding nepotism at 4 percent and general criticism directed at judges concerning among other things their incompetence, impunity, or neglect of duties at 4 percent also appeared. Respondents less frequently indicated excessively high penalties at 2 percent, as well as the unavailability of lawyers and high court costs at 2 percent.

Close to one-fourth, meaning 23 percent of respondents, were unable to specify even a single problem currently faced by the judiciary. Meanwhile, 2 percent of surveyed individuals stated that they see no such problems.

Survey Methodology

The CBOS survey was conducted from June 11 to June 21, 2026, on a sample numbering 991 people, including: 66.4 percent using the CAPI method (direct interview with an interviewer), 16.3 percent via CATI (telephone interview after contacting a CBOS interviewer), and 17.3 percent through CAWI (self-completed online survey).

Comparison with Past Data

Compared to a corresponding CBOS study from four years ago, the assessment of the activity of the “third branch of power” has not undergone significant change.

In June 2022, the activity of the judiciary was evaluated well by 28 percent of respondents, including 1 percent definitely well and 27 percent rather well. The opposite opinion was held by 55 percent of surveyed individuals—of whom 39 percent assessed the functioning as rather bad and 16 percent definitely bad. No opinion on the matter was held by 17 percent of respondents.