Code of ethics and professional conduct for judges

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contained but having a similar effect, may be considered a breach of this code and consequentlysanctioned;This code is to be construed in such a way as to be consistent with the laws and regulations ofKosovo and international legal bodies and so as to not infringe on the essential independence ofjudges in making judicial decisions;This code applies to all professional judges in Kosovo, at all levels of proceedings includingMinor Offences Courts.I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES1. A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the dignity,integrity and independence of the judiciary.2. A judge shall:a) Observe high standards of professional and personal conduct,b) Respect and comply with the law,c) Perform the duties of office impartially and diligently,d) Avoid any conduct and situation that could lead to a judge’s integrity, impartiality orindependence, being questioned,e) Perform his/her duties in conformity with internationally recognized human rightsstandards.3. This applies not only to the judge’s professional life but also to a judge’s private life, when ajudge’s actions may impair the judge’s image in the public’s eye, thus affecting the judiciary as awhole.II.SPECIFIC RULES OF ETHICSA. Judicial Activities1. In proceedings, a judge has a duty to protect the rights and freedoms of all persons.Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for JudgesAdopted 25 April 2005Page 2 of 8Sekretariati i KGJKsë-, Ndërtesa e Gjykatës SupremeDhoma 215, Prishtinë, KosovëTelefon: 038.504.604.lokal 5178KJPCSekretarijat SsK, Zgrada Vrhovnog sudaSoba br. 215, Priština, KosovoTelefon: 038.504.604.lokal 5178KJC Secretariat,, Supreme CourtBuilding, Room 215, Pristina, KosovoTelephone: 038.504.604, ext. 5178
2. In exercising judicial responsibilities, a judge has the duty to ensure that the law,including the internationally recognized standards, is properly applied and that cases are dealtwith fairly by avoiding any discriminatory attitude against any person or persons based on anyground, including sex, gender, age, marital status, language, mental or physical disability, sexualorientation, political affiliation or conviction, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, race,social origin, property, birth or any other status. A judge should be acquainted with variedcultural values to better understand the social and personal problems of the people with whomhe/she interacts when performing the judicial office.3. A judge has in particular the following responsibilities:a) to act impartially and independently in all cases and free from any outside influence, andperform judicial duties based on the facts and the law applicable in each case, withoutany restriction, improper influence, inducements, pressures, threats of interferences,direct or indirect, from any quarter;b) to avoid any potential conflict of interest based on family or social relationships as wellas financial or professional relationships;c) if, for any reason, a judge feels unable to comply with the provisions of the previousparagraphs of this section, he/she must take immediate action, including recluse from acase and invoking the President of the Court where he/she serves to exempt him/her fromthe case. If a judge is in a situation which could cause his/her independence to be calledinto question, he/she is under the obligation to disclose the facts of the situation to theparties involved and inform them as to his/her possible disqualification;d) in any event, if a judge becomes aware of any other conflict of interest or there are anyother circumstances that might raise doubts as to his/her impartiality, he/she mustdiscontinue all activity on the case and report such circumstances to the President of theCourt, unless otherwise provided by law.B. Non judicial activities1. Generally a judge may freely carry out activities outside the scope of the judicial mandateincluding those activities which are the embodiments of his/her rights as a citizen or whichrepresent his/her professional interests and independence. This freedom is only limited in so faras such outside activities are incompatible with confidence in a judge, or the impartiality orindependence of a judge, or his/her required availability to deal attentively and within aCode of Ethics and Professional Conduct for JudgesAdopted 25 April 2005Page 3 of 8Sekretariati i KGJKsë-, Ndërtesa e Gjykatës SupremeDhoma 215, Prishtinë, KosovëTelefon: 038.504.604.lokal 5178KJPCSekretarijat SsK, Zgrada Vrhovnog sudaSoba br. 215, Priština, KosovoTelefon: 038.504.604.lokal 5178KJC Secretariat,, Supreme CourtBuilding, Room 215, Pristina, KosovoTelephone: 038.504.604, ext. 5178
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Page 5 and 6: judicial position, or involve him/h
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