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Supreme Judicial Court Rules
Code of Judicial Conduct

Supreme Judicial Court Rules  Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:09: Code of Judicial Conduct

Effective Date: 01/01/2016
Updates: Amended October 8, 2015, effective January 1, 2016

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Table of Contents

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Table of contents

  • Preamble
  • Scope
  • Terminology
  • Application
  • Canon 1 A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. 
    • Rule 1.1 Compliance with the Law 
    • Rule 1.2 Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary
    • Rule 1.3 Avoiding Abuse of the Prestige of Judicial Office 
  • Canon 2 A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently. 
    • Rule 2.1 Giving Precedence to the Duties of Judicial Office 
    • Rule 2.2 Impartiality and Fairness 
    • Rule 2.3 Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment 
    • Rule 2.4 External Influences on Judicial Conduct
    • Rule 2.5 Competence, Diligence, and Cooperation 
    • Rule 2.6 Ensuring the Right to be Heard
    • Rule 2.7 Responsibility to Decide 
    • Rule 2.8 Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors 
    • Rule 2.9 Ex Parte Communications 
    • Rule 2.10 Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases 
    • Rule 2.11 Disqualification 
    • Rule 2.12 Supervisory Duties 
    • Rule 2.13 Administrative Appointments 
    • Rule 2.14 Disability and Impairment 
    • Rule 2.15 Responding to Judicial and Lawyer Misconduct 
    • Rule 2.16 Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities 
  • Canon 3 A judge shall conduct the judge’s personal and extrajudicial activities to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office. 
    • Rule 3.1 Extrajudicial Activities in General 
    • Rule 3.2 Appearances before Governmental Bodies and Consultation with Government Officials 
    • Rule 3.3 Testifying as Character Witness 
    • Rule 3.4 Appointments to Governmental Positions 
    • Rule 3.5 Use of Nonpublic Information 
    • Rule 3.6 Affiliation with Discriminatory Organizations 
    • Rule 3.7 Participation in Legal, Educational, Religious, Charitable, Fraternal, or Civic Organizations and Activities 
    • Rule 3.8 Appointments to Fiduciary Positions 
    • Rule 3.9 Service as Arbitrator or Mediator 
    • Rule 3.10 Practice of Law 
    • Rule 3.11 Financial, Business, or Remunerative Activities 
    • Rule 3.12 Compensation for Extrajudicial Activities 
    • Rule 3.13 Acceptance and Reporting of Gifts, Loans, Bequests, Benefits, or Other Things of Value 
    • Rule 3.14 Reimbursement of Expenses and Waivers of Fees or Charges 
    • Rule 3.15 Reporting Requirements 
  • Canon 4 A judge Shall Refrain from political activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary. 
    • Rule 4.1 Political and Campaign Activities 
    • Rule 4.2 Activities of Judges Who Become Candidates for Nonjudicial Office

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Open PDF file, 2.86 MB,  Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rules and Orders (English, PDF 2.86 MB)

Contact

Online

Library locations and phone numbers 
Chat with a law librarian online 
Email a reference librarian: Email Trial Court Law Libraries at lawlibraries@jud.state.ma.us
Updates: Amended October 8, 2015, effective January 1, 2016

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