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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.


H. MANUKYAN
Chairman of the Republic of Armenia Cassation Court