Union of Judges presented a draft of a new Ethical Principles Code and judges rules of conduct

In the Central Council of the Union of judges there was a presentation of the draft of the new Ethical Principles Code and judges rules of conduct.

Judges of the Supreme Court Nurjan Kaipzhan, Tolebay Kozhan, members of the Central Council of the Union of judges, heads of regional branches of the Union of Judges took part in the discussion of the draft.

Developed by the Central Council of the Union of Judges of the Republic of Kazakhstan taking into account the views and wishes of the judiciary the draft was previously discussed by the faculty of the Justice Institute of the Academy of State Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In the basis of the Code laid norms of the country’s Constitution and the Constitutional Law "On the Judicial System and Status of Judges". It takes into account such international acts as the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights", "International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights", "Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct" and others.

Adoption of the new Ethical Principles Code and Rules of Judicial Conduct related to the implementation of the Plan of Nation - 100 concrete steps to implement the five institutional reforms of the Head of the State. New laws passed pursuant to the "100 steps", designed to radically change the legal system, to make it more independent and effective. The judicial activities results should have a positive impact not only on improving the rights and freedoms of citizens, but also on the state of the economy, including the attraction of foreign investments.

The challenges facing the justice suggested the implementation by judges of their professional activities on the basis of loyalty to serve the people, unquestioning execution of the Constitution and the law, honesty, integrity, fairness, indisputable authority among the population, compliance with norms of morality and ethics, the ethical rules of conduct at work and in everyday life.

The draft is made taking into account the increased demands of society for professional and moral standing of the judge. Adoption of the Code is intended to establish uniform standards for ethical conduct of judges as foundations of public confidence in the judicial branch.

The document consisting of 5 chapters and 33 articles reveals concepts such as "Ethical Principles of Judicial Conduct", "Ethical judges rules of conduct in the performance of their professional duties," "Ethical judges rules of conduct in the family and in everyday life."

The principles and rules laid down in the Code will be mandatory for all judges, without exception, regardless of their positions, retired judges. The fact of violation by the judge the ethical principles and rules can be established only on the basis of the authorized body decision of the judiciary, received by citizens and organizations appeal, government bodies and the judicial system office holders. In addition, the authorized authority may consider a violation by a judge of the ethical principles and rules of conduct on their own initiative based on the mass media.

The Central Council of the Union of Judges of the Republic of Kazakhstan, having discussed the draft Code, approved its main provisions.

The draft Code is scheduled to publish for public comment on the Supreme Court website and also sent to the regional offices of the Union of Judges.

 It is expected that the final version of the Ethical Principles Code and Rules of Judicial Conduct to be adopted at the forthcoming June 2016 at VII-th extraordinary Congress of Judges of the Republic. There have been already held regional conferences of the Union of Judges, which elect delegates to the Congress from among the judges, showing an example of quality administration of justice, observance of moral and ethical principles of conduct in professional work and in everyday life.