Code of Ethics
Principles of Judicial Ethics
Based on the Principles of Judicial Conduct drafted in Bangalore in 2001, in the interest of strengthening ethics in the judiciary, and taking into account the Code of Ethics of the Czech Judicial Union, following Code of Ethics has been hereby adopted:
I. Independence
I.1. A judge shall exercise his or her judicial function independently on the basis of his or her own assessment of the facts and in accordance with a conscientious understanding of the law, free of any influences, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences.
I.2. A judge shall promote the independence of the judiciary, public confidence in the judiciary, and respect high standards of judicial conduct.
II. Impartiality and equality
II.1. A judge shall perform his or her judicial duties impartially and without bias or prejudice. He or she shall act with an appropriate level of restraint.
II.2. In the performance of his or her judicial function as well as in his or her personal life, a judge shall ensure that his or her conduct maintains public confidence in the impartiality of the judge.
II.3. A judge shall refrain from expressing his or her views which could affect the outcome of the proceedings or raise public doubts as to the impartiality of the proceedings. The same applies to expressing his or her views regarding the proceedings other than in his or her own case. A judge shall avoid conduct likely to lead to his or her disqualification from hearing or deciding cases.
II.4. A judge shall communicate with the press openly while maintaining the requirement of independence and impartiality of the judiciary.
II.5. A judge shall publicly express his or her political views with restraint.
II.6. In the performance of his or her judicial function as well as in his or her personal life, a judge shall avoid any discrimination and its promotion. He or she shall treat every party to the court proceedings equally and require them to behave in the same way.
III. Integrity and Propriety
III.1. A judge shall conduct himself or herself in the manner consistent with the dignity of the judicial office. In the performance of his or her judicial function as well as in his or her personal life, a judge shall refrain from conduct that could endanger his or her integrity and the integrity of the judiciary. In this respect, he or she shall accept corresponding personal restrictions.
III.2. A judge shall ensure that his or her integrity and credibility contribute to the public perception of court decisions as fair.
III.3. A judge shall not misuse the judicial office to advance his or her own private or economic interests or for the benefit of any other person, nor shall a judge claim advantages and privileges that he or she is not entitled to as a judge.
III.4. A judge shall not accept any gift, benefit, or any other favour which could give the impression that they are provided in connection with the performance of his or her judicial function. A judge shall ensure that such gifts, benefits or other favours are not accepted by any person who is in a subordinate position to him or her, or by a member of the judge's family.
III.5. In the administration of his or her property, a judge shall act in the manner that does not undermine public confidence in his or her impartiality. A judge shall ensure that his or her obligations cannot be used to exert influence over him or her. A judge shall ensure that members of his or her family act in the same way.
III.6. In the performance of his or her judicial function as well as in his or her personal life, a judge shall avoid any improper behaviour, expression of views or conduct, including the action which would objectively appear as improper.
III.7. A judge shall maintain order and decorum in all proceedings before the court and act with courtesy, fairness and patience. A judge shall require similar conduct from other persons participating in the proceedings.
III.8. A judge shall behave with courtesy and fairness even out of court, particularly when dealing with the court staff.
III.9. While communicating with the press, a judge shall act openly and politely. If a judge does not consider appropriate to communicate with the press himself or herself, he or she shall refer the press to the spokesperson of the court.
III.10. A judge shall solve the difficulties in his or her personal life with dignity, consideration, and fairness.
III.11. A judge shall use social media networks and similar platforms to express his or her opinion or share information in the audio-visual form only in the manner consistent with the dignity of the judicial office.
IV. Competence and Diligence
IV.1. The judicial duties of a judge shall take precedence over all other activities. A judge shall pursue other tasks relevant to the judicial office or the court administration. A judge shall, to the best of his or her ability, contribute to the improvement of legal awareness among the professional and general public.
IV.2. A judge shall maintain and enhance his or her knowledge, skills and personal qualities necessary for the proper performance of judicial duties and his or her public appearance as a member of the judiciary.
IV.3. In accordance with the law, a judge shall maintain the confidentiality of all facts he or she has learned in connection with the performance of his or her judicial duties. The same duty applies even after a judge ceased to exercise the judicial office.
IV.4. A judge shall perform his or her duties to the best of his or her knowledge and according to his or her conscience.