Summary SJC approves amendments to judges’ code of conduct, allowing participation in events under permission and introducing new complaint and reporting mechanisms.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has approved important amendments to the judges’ code of conduct, according to an official statement.
The declaration stated that the name of the Federal Constitutional Court has been included in the code, after which the revised rules will apply to judges of the Federal Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, and the High Courts.
Under the amended code, the restriction on judges’ participation in social and cultural events has been removed. Following the revision of Clause 12, judges will also be allowed to attend political and diplomatic events with prior permission from the concerned Chief Justice, although approval from the Chief Justice will remain mandatory.
The amendments also include provisions related to pressure, complaints, and interference in the judiciary. In case of complaints, High Court judges will be required to inform the relevant Chief Justice in writing.
It was further stated that the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, along with the two senior-most judges of both courts, will also be informed.
A judges’ committee will be required to complete action on complaints within 14 days. If action is not taken within the stipulated time, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court will themselves review the matter.
The statement added that judges of both the Federal Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court will also be required to inform their Chief Justice and four senior judges in writing regarding such matters.
