Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct

The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct set out ethical standards to guide how judges perform their duties and conduct themselves. Adopted in 2002, they identify six core values intended to uphold judicial integrity and public confidence in the judiciary.

The six core values

• Independence: Judges must decide cases on their assessment of the facts and understanding of the law, free from improper influence, pressure or interference. Independence must be maintained both individually and institutionally.
• Impartiality: Judges must perform their duties without favour, bias or prejudice. This requirement applies both to the decision itself and to the process through which it is reached.
• Integrity: A judge’s conduct must be above reproach in the view of a reasonable observer. Judicial behaviour must reaffirm public faith in the integrity of the judiciary.
• Propriety: Judges must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all their activities. They must accept personal restrictions consistent with the dignity of judicial office.
• Equality: Judges must ensure equality of treatment to all before the courts. They must understand relevant social differences and perform their duties without bias or discrimination on irrelevant grounds.
• Competence and diligence: Judges must maintain the knowledge, skills and personal qualities necessary for judicial office. They must perform their duties efficiently, fairly and with reasonable promptness.

How the values work together

The Principles connect judicial independence with ethical accountability: freedom from interference must be accompanied by fair, honest and responsible conduct. They address not only actual misconduct or bias but also appearances that could undermine public confidence.

• The Principles guide judges and provide a framework for regulating judicial conduct; they supplement rather than replace applicable laws and rules.
• They recognise that judges remain entitled to fundamental freedoms, but must exercise them consistently with the dignity, impartiality and independence of judicial office.