Code of Judicial Conduct

Section 1

The judicial duties of a judge take precedence over all other activities.

Section 2

Judges shall devote their professional activity to judicial duties, which include not only the performance of judicial functions and responsibilities in court and the making of decisions, but also other tasks relevant to the judicial office or the court's operations.

Section 3

Judges shall take reasonable steps to maintain and enhance their knowledge, skills and personal qualities necessary for the proper performance of judicial duties, taking advantage for this purpose of the training and other facilities which should be made available, under judicial control, to judges.

Section 4

Judges shall keep themselves informed about relevant developments of international law, including international conventions and other instruments establishing human rights norms.

Section 5

Judges shall perform all judicial duties, including the delivery of reserved decisions, efficiently, fairly and with reasonable promptness.

Section 6

Judges shall maintain order and decorum in all proceedings before the court and be patient, dignified and courteous in relation to litigants, witnesses, lawyers and others with whom the judge deals in an official capacity. Judges shall require similar conduct of legal representatives, court staff and others subject to their influence, direction or control.

Section 7

Judges shall not engage in conduct incompatible with the diligent discharge of judicial duties. Definitions In this Code, unless the context otherwise permits or requires, the following meanings shall be attributed to the words used: "Court staff" includes the personal staff of the judge including law clerks. "Judge" means any person exercising judicial power, however designated. "Judge's family" includes a judge's spouse, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and any other relative by consanguinity or affinity within the sixth civil degree, or person who is a companion or employee of the judge and who lives in the judge's household. This Code, which shall hereafter be referred to as the New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary, supersedes the Canons of Judicial Ethics and the Code of Judicial Conduct heretofore applied in the Philippines to the extent that the provisions or concepts therein are embodied in this Code: Provided, however, that in case of deficiency or absence of specific provisions in this New Code, the Canons of Judicial Ethics and the Code of Judicial Conduct shall be applicable in a suppletory character. This New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary shall take effect on the first day of June 2004, following its publication not later than 15 May 2004 in two newspapers of large circulation in the Philippines to ensure its widest publicity. Promulgated this 27 day of April 2004. (New Code of Judicial Conduct for the Philippine Judiciary, A.M. No. 03-05-01-SC, [April 27, 2004]) Old Code of Judicial Conduct PREAMBLE An honorable, competent and independent judiciary exists to administer justice and thus promote the unity of the country, the stability of government, and the well-being of the people.