Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct – 2026
The Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct, adopted by the Supreme Court of Kansas, governing the conduct of judges: upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, performing the duties of judicial office impartially and diligently, disqualification, conducting extrajudicial activities, and political and campaign activity.
Browse all 63 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.
Kansas Code of Judicial Conduct
Canon 1: A Judge Shall Uphold and Promote the Independence, Integrity, and Impartiality of the Judiciary, and Shall Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety
Canon 2: A Judge Shall Perform the Duties of Judicial Office Impartially, Competently, and Diligently
Rule 2.1
Giving Precedence to the Duties of Judicial Office
Rule 2.2
Impartiality and Fairness
Rule 2.3
Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment
Rule 2.4
External Influences on Judicial Conduct
Rule 2.5
Competence, Diligence, and Cooperation
Rule 2.6
Ensuring the Right to Be Heard
Rule 2.7
Responsibility to Decide
Rule 2.8
Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors
Rule 2.9
Ex Parte Communication
Rule 2.10
Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases
Rule 2.11
Disqualification
Rule 2.12
Supervisory Duties
Rule 2.13
Administrative Appointments
Rule 2.14
Disability and Impairment
Rule 2.15
Responding to Judicial and Lawyer Misconduct
Rule 2.16
Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities
Canon 3: A Judge Shall Conduct the Judge’s Personal and Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict with the Obligations of Judicial Office
Rule 3.1
Extrajudicial Activities in General
Rule 3.2
Appearances Before Governmental Bodies and Consultation with Government Officials
Rule 3.3
Testifying as a Character Witness
Rule 3.4
Appointments to Governmental Positions
Rule 3.5
Use of Nonpublic Information
Rule 3.6
Affiliation with Discriminatory Organization 502
Rule 3.7
Participation in Educational, Religious, Charitable, Fraternal, or Civic Organizations and Activities
Rule 3.8
Appointments to Fiduciary Positions
Rule 3.9
Service as Arbitrator or Mediator
Rule 3.10
Practice of Law
Rule 3.11
Financial, Business, or Remunerative Activities
Rule 3.12
Compensation for Extrajudicial Activities
Rule 3.13
Acceptance and Reporting of Gifts, Loans, Bequests, Benefits, or Other Things of Value 507
Rule 3.14
Reimbursement of Expenses and Waivers of Fees or Charges
Rule 3.15
Reporting Requirements
Canon 4: A Judge or Candidate for Judicial Office Shall Not Engage in Political or Campaign Activity That Is Inconsistent with the Independence, Integrity, or Impartiality of the Judiciary
Rule 4.1
Political and Campaign Activities of Judges and Judicial Candidates in General
Rule 4.2
Political and Campaign Activities of Judicial Candidates in Public Elections
Rule 4.3
Activities of Candidates for Appointment to Judicial Office
Rule 4.4
Campaign Committees
Rule 4.5
Activities of Judges Who Become Candidates for Nonjudicial Office
Commission on Judicial Conduct
Prefatory Rule
Rule 602
Commission on Judicial Conduct
Rule 603
Definitions
Rule 604
Powers of the Commission
Rule 605
Secretary of the Commission and Panels
Rule 605A
Powers of the Hearing Panel (Repealed May 1, 2019)
Rule 606
Examiner for the Commission
Rule 607
Complaints Relating to Judicial Conduct