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Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct – 2026

The standards Tennessee judges are held to — Supreme Court Rule 10, thirty-nine rules in four canons, with the Preamble, Scope, Terminology and Application that the canons turn on. A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and avoid impropriety and its appearance; shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently and diligently; shall conduct personal and extrajudicial activities to minimise the risk of conflict; and shall not engage in political or campaign activity inconsistent with judicial independence. Canon 2 is the working half — precedence of the duties of office, bias and harassment, ensuring the right to be heard, ex parte communications, and disqualification. Canon 3 covers extrajudicial activities, appearances before governmental bodies, testifying as a character witness, fiduciary and arbitral appointments, and the acceptance and reporting of gifts. The Application states which judicial officers each canon reaches and the time each has to comply.

Browse all 43 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.

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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 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 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 Preamble Preamble Rule Scope Scope Rule Terminology Terminology Rule Application Application

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

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: 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 Communications Rule 2.10 Judicial Statements on Pending and Impending Cases Rule 2.11 Disqualification Rule 2.12 Supervisory Duties Rule 2.13 Administrative Responsibilities 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 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: 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 Judges and Judicial Candidates in Public Elections Rule 4.3 Activities of Candidates for Appointive Judicial Office Rule 4.4 Campaign Committees Rule 4.5 Judges and Judicial Candidates Seeking Nonjudicial Office