The Madras High Court has recently issued a new set of guidelines for subordinate judicial officers in Tamil Nadu, stressing the significance of maintaining professional boundaries. These directives include suggestions to maintain a certain level of detachment and avoid personal interactions or private meetings with individual lawyers practicing within the same court.

The high court emphasizes the importance of upholding the integrity of the judiciary and maintaining professional decorum.

The office circular dated April 18, 2024, issued by the registrar general of the Madras High Court states:

"Judicial officers of the district judiciary shall avoid mobile contacts and closed chamber meetings with practicing advocates, unless it is necessary to have such chamber meetings and mobile contact with the Bar association office bearers relating to common issues and the smooth functioning of the court."

As per the circular, every judicial officer is reminded to maintain an acute awareness of being under constant public observation. It stresses the imperative for their conduct to consistently mirror the dignity of their esteemed position and the public trust vested in it. The circular emphasizes the necessity to avoid any actions or oversights that could be construed as inappropriate or that might undermine the respect accorded to their office.

Additionally, the circular urges subordinate judicial officers to strictly adhere to judicial ethics, highlighting behaviour and conduct that bolster public trust in the judiciary's impartiality.