Code of Judicial Conduct

Section 1

Judges shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all of their activities.

Section 2

As a subject of constant public scrutiny, judges must accept personal restrictions that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen and should do so freely and willingly. In particular, judges conduct themselves in a way that is consistent with the dignity of the judicial office.

Section 3

Judges shall, in their personal relations with individual members of the legal profession who practice regularly in their court, avoid situations which might reasonably give rise to the suspicion or appearance of favoritism or partiality.

Section 4

Judges shall not participate in the determination of a case in which any member of their family represents a litigant or is associated in any manner with the case.

Rule 4

01. A judge may, to the extent that the following activities do not impair the performance of judicial duties or cast doubt on the judge's impartiality: (a) speak, write, lecture, teach or participate in activities concerning the law, the legal system and the administration of justice; (b) appear at a public hearing before a legislative or executive body on matters concerning the law, the legal system or the administration of justice and otherwise consult with them on matters concerning the administration of justice. (c) serve on any organization devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system or the administration of justice. A VOCATIONAL, CIVIC AND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Section 5

Judges shall not allow the use of their residence by a member of the legal profession to receive clients of the latter or of other members of the legal profession.

Section 6

Judges, like any other citizen, are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly, but in exercising such rights, they shall always conduct themselves in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of the judicial office and the impartiality and independence of the judiciary.

Section 7

Judges shall inform themselves about their personal fiduciary financial interests and shall make reasonable efforts to be informed about the financial interests of members of their family.

Section 8

Judges shall not use or lend the prestige of the judicial office to advance their private interests, or those of a member of their family or of anyone else, nor shall they convey or permit others to convey the impression that anyone is in a special position improperly to influence them in the performance of judicial duties.

Section 9

Confidential information acquired by judges in their judicial capacity shall not be used or disclosed by for any other purpose related to their judicial duties.

Section 10

Subject to the proper performance of judicial duties, judges may: (a) Write, lecture, teach and participate in activities concerning the law, the legal system, the administration of justice or related matters; (b) Appear at a public hearing before an official body concerned with matters relating to the law, the legal system, the administration of justice or related matters; (c) Engage in other activities if such activities do not detract from the dignity of the judicial office or otherwise interfere with the performance of judicial duties.

Section 11

Judges shall not practice law whilst the holder of judicial office.

Section 12

Judges may form or join associations of judges or participate in other organizations representing the interests of judges.

Section 13

Judges and members of their families shall neither ask for, nor accept, any gift, bequest, loan or favor in relation to anything done or to be done or omitted to be done by him or her in connection with the performance of judicial duties.

Section 14

Judges shall not knowingly permit court staff or others subject to their influence, direction or authority, to ask for, or accept, any gift, bequest, loan or favor in relation to anything done or to be done or omitted to be done in connection with their duties or functions.

Section 15

Subject to law and to any legal requirements of public disclosure, judges may receive a token gift, award or benefit as appropriate to the occasion on which it is made provided that such gift, award or benefit might not reasonably be perceived as intended to influence the judge in the performance of judicial duties or otherwise give rise to an appearance of partiality. Ensuring equality of treatment to all before the courts is essential to the due performance of the judicial office.