The New York City Bar Association (NYCBA) is urging Congress to impose enforceable ethics rules on U.S. Supreme Court justices. In a report released Tuesday, the bar endorsed the creation of a Judicial Investigation Panel and an Office of the Inspector General to address growing concerns over the Court’s accountability.
NYC Ethics Rules : Longstanding Call for Reform
NYCBA has advocated for ethics reform at the Supreme Court for more than a decade, but recent scandals have reignited the need for action. After taking office as the bar’s president in May, Muhammad U. Faridi made revisiting the issue a priority amid ongoing media reports highlighting questionable conduct by justices.
“Recent developments have underscored the importance of a thorough examination of this issue,” Faridi told Law360, stressing the need for continued advocacy for ethical reforms.
NYC Ethics Rules : Proposed Judicial Oversight
The NYCBA’s report recommends creating a Judicial Investigation Panel composed of five federal judges to oversee disciplinary matters. The panel would address potential violations, issuing sanctions such as admonitions, censures, or even referrals to Congress or the U.S. Attorney General. The bar also proposed the creation of an Office of the Inspector General for the Supreme Court, which would be overseen by a Chief Justice-appointed inspector general.
