Board of Governors -National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary 

PREAMBLE

Our state administrative legal system is based on the principle that an independent, fair and competent administrative judiciary will interpret and apply the laws that govern consistent with American concepts of justice. Intrinsic to all sections of this Code are the precepts that state administrative law judges, individually and collectively, must respect and honor their office as a public trust and strive to enhance and maintain confidence in our legal system. The state administrative law judge decides questions of fact and law for the resolution of disputes and is a highly visible symbol of government under the rule of law.  

This Code of Judicial Conduct for State Administrative Law Judges is intended to establish standards for ethical conduct. The Canons and Sections contained in this code are rules of reason. They should be applied consistent with constitutional requirements, statutes, administrative rules and decisional law and in the context of all relevant circumstances. The Code is to be construed so as to not impinge on the essential independence of the state administrative law judge in making judicial decisions. 

The Code of Judicial Conduct for State Administrative Law Judges is not intended as an exhaustive guide for the conduct of state administrative law judges. They should also be governed in their official judicial and personal conduct by general ethical standards. The Code is intended, however, to state basic standards which should govern the conduct of all judges and to provide guidance to assist such judges in establishing and maintaining high standards of judicial and personal conduct.  

Except where modified, this Code follows the language of the American Bar Association Model Code of Judicial Conduct for Federal Administrative Law Judges. This Code is also based upon the American Bar Association Model Code of Judicial Conduct (1990).  The American Bar Association’s codes are copyrighted by the American Bar Association and are used with permission.

Click Here for the complete copy of the Model Code.