Kilka uwag o etyce zawodu sędziowskiego w Polsce

Abstract

The judges form a special legal corps which as a carrier of the authority of the judiciary has to fulfill an extremely important mission both systemically and socially. The power vested in them is in fact closely connected to such universal values as justice, freedom or equality. The public interest in maintaining citizens' trust in the institutions of the judiciary obliges the legislator to establish certain ethical requirements for the judges. They are to ensure that the judiciary is in the hand of people with appropriate knowledge, high ethical standards and proper dose of life experience. The aim of the article is to review and discuss Polish regulations regarding the ethics of the profession of a judge, with particular emphasis on such concepts as: the independence of the judiciary, the dignity of the judge's office or the „impeccability of character” of the judge.