The Judiciarys Law Journal

The Judiciarys Law Journal

The Status of Professional Ethics for Judges in Modern Professionalism Discourse

Document Type : Research/Original/Regular Article

Authors
Rahim Nobahar 1
SEYED ALI KAZEMI 2
1 Faculty member of the Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University
2 Law Department, Tehran Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University. Tehran. Iran (Head of the Judiciary Research Institute)
10.22106/jlj.2026.2069031.6479
Abstract
Professional ethics plays a highly effective role in enhancing judges’ performance and conduct. This ethics has received less attention due to the organization of adjudication within the public administration and the predominance of the administrative dimension over the professional aspect of adjudication. Accordingly, how can judges’ professional ethics be reconstructed and put into practice in our country? In this article, by employing an analytical–critical method and drawing upon library and documentary sources, it is argued that professional ethics is based on two approaches: traditional professionalism and new professionalism. The discourse of new professionalism emerged at the beginning of the twentieth century, and various interpretations of it have developed, including “professionalism and professionalization,” “organizational professionalism,” and “professional practice.” After examining these interpretations, the model of “professional competence” has been introduced as a framework for reconstructing judges’ professionalism and enhancing their professional practice and professional ethics. Furthermore, the strategies for institutionalizing this model have been explained under four dimensions, namely the “establishment of a professional association,” the “implementation of a merit-based process,” “ethical education,” and “ethical commitment and accountability,” and the relevant regulations within the country have been examined. Finally, the necessary recommendations for the realization of the aforementioned model have been presented through legal, administrative, and educational reforms
Keywords
Ethical Oath
Judge's Professional Ethics
Judicial Professionalization
Professional Ethics
Professionalism
Subjects
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The Judiciarys Law Journal
Volume 89, Issue 132
Winter 2026
Pages 5-36

  • Receive Date 30 January 2026
  • Accept Date 10 June 2026
  • First Publish Date 10 June 2026
  • Publish Date 22 December 2025