RESTATEMENT OF VALUES OF JUDICIAL LIFE

Whereas by a resolution passed in the Chief Justices’ Conference held at New Delhi
on September 18-19, 1992, it was resolved that it is desirable to restate the pre-existing and
universally accepted norms, guidelines and conventions reflecting the high values of judicial
life to be followed by Judges during their tenure of office:
And Whereas the Chief Justice of India was further requested by that Resolution to
constitute a Committee for preparing the draft restatement to be circulated to the Chief Justice
of the High Courts for discussion with their colleagues, which was duly circulated on
21.11.1993;
And Whereas suggestions have been received from the Chief Justice for the High
Commission after discussion with their colleagues;
And whereas the Committee has been reconstituted by the Chef Justice of India on
April 7, 1997, to finalise the |’Restatement of Values of Judicial Life’ After taking note of the
draft Restatement of Values of Judicial Life prepared by a committee appointed pursuant to
the Resolution passed in the Chief Justices’ Conference 1992 and placed before the Chief
Justices’ Conference in 1993;
And Whereas such a Committee constituted by the Chief Justice of India has prepared a draft
restatement after taking into consideration the views received from various High Courts to
the draft which circulated to them;
NOW, THEREFORE, on the consideration of the views of the High Courts on the
draft, the restatement of the pre-existing and universally accepted norms, guidelines and
conventions called ‘RESTATEMENT OF VALUES OF JUDICIAL LIFE’ to serve as a guide
to be observed by Judges, essential for an independent, strong and respected judiciary,
indispensable in the impartial administration of justice, as redrafted has been considered in
the Full Court Meeting of the Supreme Court of India on May 7, 1997 and has been adopted
for due observance.
RESTATEMENT OF VALUES OF JUDICIAL LIFE
(1) Justice must not merely be done but it must also be seen as done. The behaviour and
conduct of members of the higher judiciary must reaffirm the people’s faith in the
impartiality of the judiciary. Accordingly, any act of a Judge of the Supreme Court or a High
Court, weather in official or personal capacity, which erodes the credibility of the perception
has to be avoided.
(2) A Judge should not contest the election of any office of a Club, society or other
association; further he shall not hold such elective office except in a society or association
connected with the law.
(3) Close association with individual members of the Bar, particularly those who practice in
the same court shall be eschewed.

(4) A Judge shall not permit any member of his immediate family to, such as spouse, son, or
daughter, son-in-law, or daughter-in-law, or any other close relative, if as member of the Bar,
to appear before him or even be associated in any manner with a case to be dealt with by him.
(5) No member of his family, who is a member of the Bar, shall be permitted to use the
residence in which the judge actually resides or other facilities for professional work.
(6) A Judge should practise a degree of aloofness consistent with the dignity of his office.
(7) A Judge shall not hear and decide a matter in which a member of his family, a close
relation or a friend is concerned.
(8) A Judge shall not enter into a public debate or express his views in public on political
matters or on matters that are pending or are likely to arise for judicial determination.
(9) A Judge is expected to let his judgement speak for themselves. He shall not give interview
to the media.
(10) A Judge shall not accept gifts or hospitality except from his family, close relations and
friends.
(11) A Judge shall not hear and decide a matter in which a company in which he holds shares
is concerned unless he has disclosed his interest and no objection to his hearing and deciding
the matter is raised.
(12) A Judge shall not speculate in shares, stocks or the like.
(13) A Judge should not engage directly or indirectly in trade or business, either by himself or
in association with any other person. (Publication of a legal treaties or any activity in the
mature of a hobby shall not be constructed as trade business).
(14) A Judge should not ask for accept contribute or otherwise actively associate himself with
the raising of any fund for any purpose.
(15) A Judge should not seek any financial benefit in the form of a perquisite or privilege
attached to his office unless it is clearly available. Any doubt in this behalf must be got
resolved and clarified through the Chief Justice.
(16) Every Judge must at all times be conscious that he is under the public gaze and there
should be no act or omission by him which is unbecoming of the high office he occupies and
the public esteem in which the office is held.
These are only the “Restatement of the Values of Judicial Life” and are not meant to
be exhaustive but illustrative of what is expected of a Judge.