publications_unodc_commentary-e

4.8 A judge shall not allow the judge's family, social or otherrelationships improperly to influence the judge's judicialconduct and judgment as a judge.CommentaryDuty to avoid being improperly influenced143. The judge’s family, friends, and social, civic and professional colleagueswith whom he or she associates regularly, communicates on matters of mutualinterest or concern, and shares trust and confidence, are in a position to improperlyinfluence, or to appear to influence, the judge in the performance of his or herjudicial functions. They may seek to do so on their own account or as peddlers ofinfluence to litigants and counsel. A judge will need to take special care to ensurethat his or her judicial conduct or judgment is not even sub-consciously influencedby these relationships.Duty to avoid pursuing self-interest144. A judge who takes advantage of the judicial office for personal gain orretaliation abuses power. A judge must avoid all activity that suggests that his or herdecisions are affected by self-interest or favouritism, since such abuse of powerprofoundly violates the public’s trust in the judiciary.99