THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT
H. Manukyan
Panorama.am
Jul 26, 2007
The Republic of Armenia Code of Judicial Conduct became effective on
December 5, 2005. It had been earlier approved by the General Assembly
of the Republic of Armenia Association of Judges and endorsed by the
Republic of Armenia Council of Court Chairmen.
The Code complies with the requirements of some of the fundamental
documents concerning the rules of judicial conduct, such as the
Bangalore Principles adopted in the Hague in November of 2002, the 2002
November 19 "Opinion of the Consultative Council of European Judges
on the Principles and Rules Governing Judges’ Professional Conduct,
in Particular Ethics, Incompatible Behavior and Impartiality," and
other international recommendations and instruments on this matter.
To ensure the effective application of the Code, it became necessary
to design commentaries that are aimed at helping judges to engage in
proper behavior in specific situations and to maintain the reputation
of the judicial office.
The Commentaries are based on the essential principle that the
public attitude towards judicial decisions largely depends on public
confidence in the independence and integrity of judges, which in turn
depends on the independent and impartial conduct of judges.
Clearly, improper judicial conduct undermines public confidence in
the judiciary.
The Commentaries require judges to conduct themselves properly both
within and without professional activities.
We hope that the Commentaries to the Code will greatly contribute to
the true independence and impartiality of judges, a higher degree of
accountability, and increased public confidence in the judiciary.