Judges

Judge litigators honestly and justly, without preconception or preference to one side. If you feel you favor one party, or that you have personal connections with one party or with their attorney, or that you have a personal interest in the matter being litigated, or even if it only might appear to be so, then disqualify yourself from sitting in judgment.

Enable the parties appearing before you to have their say and voice their arguments.

Remember that your duty is to do justice and not to apply your personal morals.

Don’t intimidate the litigants, their representatives and the witnesses. Be courteous to them. Don’t patronize or bully those appearing before you. Be respectful to them.

If there are conflicts between doing justice and abiding the law, and there is no way to bridge the gap, prefer justice over the law.

Write your verdict in a clear language so that the litigants understand your consideration, deliberations, conflicts and decision. Don’t write it in order to block off the chance for appeal.

If you were wrong and you regret your verdict, don’t hesitate to admit it and to inform both parties even if some time has already passed since the judgment.

When passing a verdict on a criminal, examine possible ways to be lenient.