The article examines the theoretical, legal, social and psychological aspects of the formation of a highly effective judiciary in Russia on the basis of a systematic approach in the preparation and selection of personnel for the judicial system. The authors substantiate the most significant tasks of forming the professional identity of Russian judges based on social and psychological research, practical experience of legal personnel, information educational technologies, and analyze the results of assessing the effectiveness of the Russian judicial system according to European standards. When writing the article, general scientific and special research methods were used: structural and functional analysis, comparative legal and analytical methods. The research carried out by the authors made it possible to obtain the following results: to form a comprehensive idea of the identity of a judge based on the concepts of self-esteem, behavior control, communication characteristics and social abilities. It is possible to use these results in the academic process of educational institutions of secondary vocational education and higher education, in the selection of personnel and social and psychological support for the activities of judges and employees of the judicial apparatus. The importance of such studies is associated with the high social significance of this type of activity, its impact on the level of social trust in law and legality.