Northern Mariana Islands Code of Judicial Conduct – 2026

The only judicial-conduct source for the Commonwealth, adopted permanent September 9, 2025 and superseding the prior code — 38 rules under the four canons, numbered as the court numbers them (Rule 1.1, Rule 2.8). Canon 1 is that a judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary, and Rule 1.1 opens plainly: a judge shall comply with all applicable laws, including this Code. Canon 2, at sixteen rules the largest, is the performance of judicial office — impartiality and fairness, bias, prejudice and harassment, competence and diligence, ensuring the right to be heard, the responsibility to decide, ex parte communications, judicial statements on pending cases, and — at Rule 2.11 — the disqualification provisions pursuant to 1 CMC § 3308. Canon 3 governs extrajudicial activities across fifteen rules, including testifying as a character witness, affiliation with discriminatory organizations, the practice of law, and the acceptance and reporting of gifts, loans and bequests. Canon 4 covers political and campaign activity, separately for judges standing in retention elections and for judges who become candidates for nonjudicial office.

Last updated September 09, 2026

Browse all 38 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.

Canon 1

Rule 1.1 Compliance with the Law Rule 1.2 Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary Rule 1.3 Avoiding Abuse of the Prestige of Judicial Office

Canon 2

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 Communications Rule 2.10 Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases Rule 2.11 Disqualification Provisions Pursuant to 1 CMC § 3308 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

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 Organizations 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 Rule 3.14 Reimbursement of Expenses and Waivers of Fees or Charges Rule 3.15 Reporting Requirements

Canon 4

Rule 4.1 Political and Campaign Activities of Judges Rule 4.2 Political and Campaign Activities of Judges in Retention Elections Rule 4.3 Campaign Committees Rule 4.4 Activities of Judges Who Become Candidates for Nonjudicial Office