The appointment followed a general assembly of Supreme Court judges in late February that nominated five candidates for the president to choose from.
Kapiński received the strongest backing during the assembly, securing 18 votes from fellow judges, presidential spokesman Rafał Leśkiewicz said.
"The president decided to select Judge Kapiński from among the five candidates submitted to him," Leśkiewicz told reporters Monday.
He described Kapiński as "an exceptionally experienced judge who has handled highly complex criminal cases."
The other candidates were Paweł Czubik, Tomasz Demendecki, Aleksander Stępkowski and Mariusz Załucki.
All five were appointed to the Supreme Court after a disputed overhaul of the National Council of the Judiciary (KRS) under Poland's previous right-wing government, state news agency PAP reported.
Ahead of the announcement, presidential office chief Zbigniew Bogucki said the appointment would be made in time to ensure continuity at the Supreme Court.
Kapiński, 63, succeeds Małgorzata Manowska, whose six-year term ends on Tuesday.
He is due to take office on Wednesday.
(gs)
Source: TVP Info, IAR, PAP, polskieradio24.pl