Q.1 What is the primary purpose of judicial ethics?
To protect judges from criticism
To ensure fairness and impartiality in the judiciary
To limit judicial power
To promote political agendas
Explanation - Judicial ethics ensures that judges act fairly, impartially, and maintain public confidence in the legal system.
Correct answer is: To ensure fairness and impartiality in the judiciary
Q.2 Which principle requires judges to avoid conflicts of interest?
Independence
Impartiality
Integrity
Competence
Explanation - Impartiality requires judges to be free from bias or personal interest in a case.
Correct answer is: Impartiality
Q.3 Why must judges avoid ex parte communications?
It saves time
It prevents bias or unfair advantage
It helps build relationships
It allows faster case resolution
Explanation - Ex parte communications undermine fairness by allowing one party to influence the judge outside formal proceedings.
Correct answer is: It prevents bias or unfair advantage
Q.4 Which of the following is an example of judicial misconduct?
Explaining the law in simple terms
Accepting bribes
Recusing from a conflict of interest
Relying on precedent
Explanation - Accepting bribes violates judicial ethics and compromises impartiality.
Correct answer is: Accepting bribes
Q.5 The principle of judicial independence ensures that judges are free from:
Legal training
Political pressure
Case law
Ethical duties
Explanation - Judicial independence protects judges from political or external influence in their decision-making.
Correct answer is: Political pressure
Q.6 What does the duty of integrity require from judges?
To strictly follow orders from politicians
To uphold honesty and moral conduct
To delegate cases to lawyers
To avoid making mistakes
Explanation - Integrity demands honesty and adherence to moral principles in judicial conduct.
Correct answer is: To uphold honesty and moral conduct
Q.7 Why should judges provide reasons for their decisions?
To justify their salary
To promote transparency and accountability
To satisfy litigants personally
To create longer judgments
Explanation - Providing reasons enhances trust and helps parties understand the judicial reasoning.
Correct answer is: To promote transparency and accountability
Q.8 Which international document provides guidelines on judicial ethics?
The UN Charter
The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct
The Geneva Conventions
The Paris Agreement
Explanation - The Bangalore Principles (2002) outline key values of judicial ethics, including independence, impartiality, integrity, propriety, equality, competence, and diligence.
Correct answer is: The Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct
Q.9 What is recusal in judicial ethics?
A judge withdrawing from a case due to conflict of interest
Punishment for misconduct
Dismissal of a case
Overruling a precedent
Explanation - Recusal prevents bias when a judge’s impartiality could reasonably be questioned.
Correct answer is: A judge withdrawing from a case due to conflict of interest
Q.10 Judges must maintain propriety, which means:
Avoiding behavior that undermines public confidence
Always agreeing with lawyers
Delaying judgments
Following personal beliefs
Explanation - Propriety ensures judges conduct themselves in a way that preserves trust in the judiciary.
Correct answer is: Avoiding behavior that undermines public confidence
Q.11 Why should judges avoid social media controversies?
It can undermine their impartiality and public confidence
It wastes court time
It is illegal
It leads to faster judgments
Explanation - Judges must avoid public controversies that could cast doubt on their impartiality.
Correct answer is: It can undermine their impartiality and public confidence
Q.12 What is the consequence of judicial corruption?
Faster justice
Strengthened democracy
Loss of public trust in the judiciary
More independence
Explanation - Corruption erodes confidence in the fairness and integrity of the legal system.
Correct answer is: Loss of public trust in the judiciary
Q.13 Which of these is an ethical duty of judges?
Favoring powerful litigants
Ensuring equality before the law
Following political orders
Engaging in public debates on pending cases
Explanation - Judges must ensure fairness and equality for all parties.
Correct answer is: Ensuring equality before the law
Q.14 Which ethical principle requires judges to perform duties diligently?
Competence
Impartiality
Integrity
Propriety
Explanation - Competence and diligence require judges to be efficient, knowledgeable, and dedicated.
Correct answer is: Competence
Q.15 Why is judicial impartiality crucial?
It ensures equality of arms between parties
It reduces case backlogs
It helps judges earn more respect
It avoids political criticism
Explanation - Impartiality ensures that all parties receive equal treatment before the court.
Correct answer is: It ensures equality of arms between parties
Q.16 A judge accepting gifts from a lawyer is an example of:
Proper conduct
Impartiality
Conflict of interest
Judicial independence
Explanation - Accepting gifts may influence or appear to influence judicial decisions.
Correct answer is: Conflict of interest
Q.17 Judicial accountability ensures that:
Judges are free from criticism
Judges are answerable for their conduct
Judges cannot be removed
Judges must follow government orders
Explanation - Accountability ensures that judges act responsibly and ethically.
Correct answer is: Judges are answerable for their conduct
Q.18 Which value requires judges to treat parties fairly regardless of background?
Equality
Integrity
Propriety
Competence
Explanation - Equality demands that judges do not discriminate against parties based on personal characteristics.
Correct answer is: Equality
Q.19 When should a judge recuse themselves?
When they are tired
When they have a personal connection to the case
When the case is difficult
When the case is delayed
Explanation - Recusal is required when impartiality could reasonably be questioned.
Correct answer is: When they have a personal connection to the case
Q.20 Why is transparency important in judicial conduct?
It speeds up trials
It increases public trust
It helps judges win elections
It reduces paperwork
Explanation - Transparency in decision-making fosters public confidence in the judiciary.
Correct answer is: It increases public trust
Q.21 A judge should avoid financial dealings with lawyers because:
It may create a conflict of interest
It is illegal in all countries
It wastes time
It slows down justice
Explanation - Financial dealings can compromise impartiality or create the appearance of bias.
Correct answer is: It may create a conflict of interest
Q.22 Which principle prevents judges from hearing cases where they have bias?
Recusal
Competence
Integrity
Accountability
Explanation - Recusal is the mechanism to maintain fairness by avoiding bias.
Correct answer is: Recusal
Q.23 Why must judges avoid political activities?
To maintain impartiality and independence
To save time for judgments
Because politics is banned
To ensure quicker promotions
Explanation - Political activities compromise the neutrality expected from judges.
Correct answer is: To maintain impartiality and independence
Q.24 What is the role of a judicial code of conduct?
To punish citizens
To guide judges in ethical behavior
To make laws
To delay trials
Explanation - Judicial codes of conduct provide ethical guidelines to ensure fairness and integrity.
Correct answer is: To guide judges in ethical behavior
Q.25 Why should judges avoid favoritism in their rulings?
It strengthens public confidence in fairness
It saves money
It reduces trial length
It avoids criticism from lawyers
Explanation - Favoritism undermines impartiality, while fairness builds trust in the judiciary.
Correct answer is: It strengthens public confidence in fairness
Q.26 Which of the following is a fundamental principle of judicial ethics?
Independence
Profit maximization
Political lobbying
Personal favoritism
Explanation - Judicial ethics emphasizes independence to ensure decisions are made based on law and facts, not external pressures.
Correct answer is: Independence
Q.27 A judge must avoid conflicts of interest. Which situation represents a conflict of interest?
Presiding over a case involving a close relative
Attending a public seminar on law
Reading a legal journal
Teaching a law class
Explanation - A conflict of interest arises when a judge's personal relationships could influence impartiality in decision-making.
Correct answer is: Presiding over a case involving a close relative
Q.28 Which behavior is considered unethical for a judge?
Accepting gifts from a party in a case
Following precedents
Recusing from a biased case
Ensuring fair trial procedures
Explanation - Accepting gifts from litigants can compromise judicial impartiality and is strictly prohibited.
Correct answer is: Accepting gifts from a party in a case
Q.29 Judges are expected to maintain ______ even outside the courtroom.
Integrity
Friendship with politicians
Public opinion favor
Financial investments in cases
Explanation - Judicial ethics require judges to maintain integrity and impartiality both in and outside court proceedings.
Correct answer is: Integrity
Q.30 Which action should a judge take if offered a bribe?
Report the offer and refuse
Accept it secretly
Ignore and continue
Consult with friends
Explanation - Judges must refuse bribes and report such attempts to maintain ethical standards and judicial credibility.
Correct answer is: Report the offer and refuse
Q.31 Judicial recusal is necessary when:
The judge has personal interest in a case
The judge has expertise in the matter
A witness is nervous
The case is high-profile
Explanation - Recusal prevents bias when a judge has a personal stake that could affect impartiality.
Correct answer is: The judge has personal interest in a case
Q.32 The principle of impartiality requires judges to:
Decide cases without favoritism
Consult public opinion before ruling
Favor the wealthier party
Delay cases indefinitely
Explanation - Impartiality ensures justice is delivered fairly, without prejudice or favoritism.
Correct answer is: Decide cases without favoritism
Q.33 Which of the following statements about judicial communication is correct?
Judges should not publicly comment on pending cases
Judges can discuss case details on social media
Judges must always share private case information
Judges should persuade public opinion for a verdict
Explanation - Public commentary on ongoing cases can compromise fairness and public trust in the judiciary.
Correct answer is: Judges should not publicly comment on pending cases
Q.34 A judge showing favoritism to a party violates:
Ethical standards
Court schedule rules
Legal procedure only
Witness protection
Explanation - Favoritism undermines judicial ethics, which demand fairness and impartiality.
Correct answer is: Ethical standards
Q.35 Which of the following is true about judicial accountability?
Judges are accountable to the law and public interest
Judges can ignore legal standards
Judges answer only to personal beliefs
Judges have no accountability once appointed
Explanation - Judges must follow laws, ethical codes, and ensure public trust is maintained.
Correct answer is: Judges are accountable to the law and public interest
Q.36 A judge should disqualify themselves if:
They have a financial interest in the outcome
They feel confident in their ruling
The case involves a new law
They have read similar past cases
Explanation - Financial interests create bias; ethical codes require disqualification in such situations.
Correct answer is: They have a financial interest in the outcome
Q.37 Which of these actions promotes public confidence in the judiciary?
Maintaining integrity and transparency
Accepting favors from influential individuals
Favoring cases with media attention
Delaying rulings to increase pressure
Explanation - Transparency and ethical conduct foster public trust and respect for the judiciary.
Correct answer is: Maintaining integrity and transparency
Q.38 Judges must avoid situations that could create an appearance of:
Bias or impropriety
Legal research
Court efficiency
Witness preparation
Explanation - Even the perception of bias can undermine public confidence in judicial decisions.
Correct answer is: Bias or impropriety
Q.39 Which is an ethical concern regarding judicial gifts?
They can influence impartiality
They are always legal
They improve case outcomes
They are required by law
Explanation - Judges must avoid accepting gifts that could be perceived as influencing their decisions.
Correct answer is: They can influence impartiality
Q.40 Judicial independence is compromised when a judge:
Faces undue political pressure
Applies the law fairly
Maintains impartiality
Follows legal precedent
Explanation - Independence ensures judges decide based on law and facts, not political or external influences.
Correct answer is: Faces undue political pressure
Q.41 A judge mentoring a lawyer who may appear before them raises a concern about:
Conflict of interest
Legal knowledge
Courtroom efficiency
Case documentation
Explanation - Personal relationships with lawyers can compromise impartiality and are considered a conflict of interest.
Correct answer is: Conflict of interest
Q.42 Which of the following can erode judicial credibility?
Accepting gifts, showing bias, ignoring rules
Relying on legal precedent
Providing reasoned judgments
Recusing from biased cases
Explanation - Any action compromising fairness or ethics diminishes trust in the judiciary.
Correct answer is: Accepting gifts, showing bias, ignoring rules
Q.43 Which of these statements aligns with judicial ethics?
Judges must remain impartial and avoid improper influence
Judges should favor wealthy litigants
Judges may use office for personal gain
Judges can publicly comment on ongoing trials
Explanation - Ethical codes require judges to maintain impartiality and refrain from actions that could compromise fairness.
Correct answer is: Judges must remain impartial and avoid improper influence
Q.44 Judicial accountability ensures that judges:
Follow the law and ethical standards
Act solely based on personal opinion
Favor high-profile cases
Delay cases for personal convenience
Explanation - Accountability reinforces the expectation that judges uphold legal and ethical responsibilities.
Correct answer is: Follow the law and ethical standards
Q.45 Which of the following violates the principle of impartiality?
Ruling in favor of a party due to friendship
Applying the law correctly
Recusing from a case when biased
Ensuring procedural fairness
Explanation - Friendship should not influence judicial decisions, as impartiality is a core ethical requirement.
Correct answer is: Ruling in favor of a party due to friendship
Q.46 When is it appropriate for a judge to discuss a case publicly?
After the case is concluded and without revealing confidential details
During trial to seek public opinion
To pressure the parties
To share private information with the media
Explanation - Public discussion is only ethical after the case ends, ensuring confidentiality and fairness.
Correct answer is: After the case is concluded and without revealing confidential details
Q.47 A judge attending political rallies risks violating which ethical principle?
Political neutrality
Legal knowledge
Courtroom decorum
Case documentation
Explanation - Judges must remain politically neutral to maintain impartiality and public trust.
Correct answer is: Political neutrality
Q.48 Which of the following best demonstrates integrity in judicial conduct?
Applying law consistently without favoritism
Favoring influential litigants
Accepting gifts from lawyers
Delaying decisions to gain advantage
Explanation - Integrity is shown when judges make decisions consistently, ethically, and without bias.
Correct answer is: Applying law consistently without favoritism
Q.49 Judicial impartiality requires avoiding:
Any appearance of bias
Studying relevant laws
Providing reasoned judgments
Recusing when appropriate
Explanation - Even perceived bias can undermine trust in judicial decisions, so judges must avoid it.
Correct answer is: Any appearance of bias