The Madras High Court has issued a fresh set of directives to subordinate judicial officers in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the importance of maintaining professional boundaries. Advisories include recommendations to uphold a certain degree of aloofness and refrain from engaging in personal interactions or closed-chamber meetings with individual lawyers practicing within the same court. The high court has urged them to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and ensure professional decorum.The office circular dated April 18, 2024 issued by the high court registrar general reads: "Judicial officers of the district judiciary shall avoid mobile contacts and closed chamber meetings with practicing advocates, unless it is necessary to have such chamber meetings and mobile contact with the Bar association office bearers relating to common issues and the smooth functioning of the court."According to the circular, every judicial officer must maintain awareness of being constantly observed by the public. It emphasizes that their conduct should consistently reflect the dignity of their esteemed position and the public trust associated with it, with no actions or oversights that could be deemed inappropriate or diminish the respect for their office.Furthermore, the circular urges subordinate judicial officers to adhere strictly to judicial ethics, emphasizing behavior and conduct that reinforce public trust in the judiciary's impartiality.
TAGS: Madras High Court Tamil Nadu judicial officers professional boundaries decorum integrity circular directives judiciary
