Supreme Court Judge, Justice Yonny Kulendi, has stressed that judges must be cautious about their social interactions to avoid situations that could create perceptions of bias and undermine public confidence in the justice system.
According to him, the responsibilities of a judge extend beyond the courtroom, as judicial officers are expected to maintain a level of conduct that demonstrates fairness, independence, and impartiality at all times.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Justice Kulendi said judges are held to a higher ethical standard because their actions outside the courtroom can influence how the public perceives the administration of justice.
“You’re a judge in court, you’re a judge out of court, you’re a judge wherever you go. So the code and the expectations of the office are demanding on your personal liberties,,” he said.
Justice Kulendi noted that the principle that “justice must not only be done, but it must appear to be done” requires judges to be deliberate about their relationships and engagements with people in society.
He explained that ordinary social activities could become problematic if they create doubts about a judge’s ability to be fair when a person they have interacted with later appears before them in court.
“If somebody sees me having a coffee with her, and laughing and chatting, and tapping each other, and the next day they walk into court and there I am sitting, and either she’s representing Citi FM or representing herself or her mother, how is that person going to believe that you can be fair and impartial?” he stated.
Justice Kulendi said judges must therefore be mindful of excessive familiarity or close associations that may affect public perception, even when there is no actual compromise of their independence.
He acknowledged that adjusting to the demands of judicial office can be challenging, particularly for judges who previously had active social lives, but said the nature of the profession requires a conscious change in behaviour.
“For those of us who come from a previously very intense and engaged social lifestyle, you must still be a human being, but be mindful of the demands of that office,” he added.
Justice Kulendi emphasised that maintaining public trust in the judiciary requires judges to uphold ethical standards both within and outside the courtroom, as confidence in the justice system depends not only on the decisions judges make but also on how their conduct is perceived by society.
