publications_unodc_commentary-e

4.11.4 engage in other activities if such activities do not detractfrom the dignity of the judicial office or otherwiseinterfere with the performance of judicial duties.CommentaryParticipation in extra-judicial activities166. A judge may engage in appropriate extra-judicial activities so as not tobecome isolated from the community. A judge may, therefore, write, lecture, teach,and speak on non-legal subjects, and engage in the arts, sports, and other social andrecreational activities, if such activities do not detract from the dignity of the judge’soffice or interfere with the performance of the judge’s judicial duties. Indeed,working in a different field offers a judge the opportunity to broaden his or herhorizons and gives the judge an awareness of problems in society whichsupplements the knowledge acquired from the exercise of duties in the legalprofession. However, a reasonable balance needs to be struck between the degree towhich judges may be involved in society and the need for them to be, and to be seento be, independent and impartial in the discharge of their duties. In the finalanalysis, the question must always be asked whether, in the particular social contextand in the eyes of a reasonable observer, the judge has engaged in an activity thatcould objectively compromise his or her independence or impartiality or whichmight appear to do so.Membership in a non-profit making organization167. A judge may participate in community, non-profit-making organizations ofvarious types by becoming a member of an organization and its governing body.Examples include charitable organizations, university and school councils, layreligious bodies, hospital boards, social clubs, sporting organizations, andorganizations promoting cultural or artistic interests. However, in relation to suchparticipation, the following matters should be borne in mind:(a) It would not be appropriate for a judge to participate in an organization ifits objects are political, if its activities are likely to expose the judge topublic controversy, or if the organization is likely to be regularly orfrequently involved in litigation;(b) A judge should ensure that the organization does not make excessivedemands on his or her time;(c) A judge should not serve as legal adviser. This does not prevent a judgefrom expressing a view, purely as a member of the body in question, on a111