6 B. Judges

Sources: the Constitution (independence, security of tenure — Arts. 128–131); the Judicial Council Act 2073 and the Judges' Code of Conduct framed under it; and the constitutional values of Art. 126 (justice according to constitution, law and recognised principles of justice). The core values (mirroring the international Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, 2002): 1. Independence — decide only by law, immune from pressure; 2. Impartiality — no bias, actual or apparent; recusal where personally interested (nemo judex in causa sua); 3. Integrity — incorruptibility in office and life; 4. Propriety — no activities compromising the office's dignity; 5. Equality — equal treatment of parties; no discrimination in or out of court; 6. Competence and diligence — know the law; manage the case-load; give reasoned decisions; no avoidable delay. Enforcement: the Judicial Council (Art. 153) investigates complaints and may remove judges (except removable by impeachment) for incompetence, misbehaviour or serious code violations; Supreme Court Justices are removable only by impeachment in the Federal Parliament (Art. 101 read with Art. 131).