Supreme Judicial Court Rules  Rule 2.5 Competence, diligence, and cooperation

(A)

A judge shall perform judicial and administrative duties competently, diligently, and in a timely manner.

(B)

A judge shall cooperate with other judges and court officials in the administration of court business.

[1]

Competence in the performance of judicial duties requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary to perform a judge's responsibilities of judicial office.

[2]

A judge should seek the necessary resources to discharge all adjudicative and administrative responsibilities.

[3]

Timely disposition of the court's business requires a judge to devote adequate time to judicial duties, to be punctual in attending court and expeditious in determining matters under advisement, and to take reasonable measures to ensure that court personnel, litigants, and lawyers cooperate with the judge to that end.

[4]

In disposing of matters efficiently and in a timely manner, a judge must demonstrate due regard for the rights of parties to be heard and to have issues resolved without unnecessary cost or delay. A judge should monitor and supervise cases in ways that reduce or eliminate dilatory practices, avoidable delays, and unnecessary costs.