Rule 1. Integrity and Independence of Judiciary.

 An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to justice. Magisterial district judges should participate in establishing, maintaining and enforcing, and shall themselves observe, high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved. The provisions for these rules governing standards of conduct of magisterial district judges shall be construed and applied to further that objective.

   Official Note

   This rule is derived from Canon 1, American Bar Association Code of Judicial Conduct. This and the following rules governing standards of conduct of magisterial district judges provide a complete and exclusive code of conduct for magisterial district judges in Pennsylvania. Those canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct of the American Bar Association thought applicable to magisterial district judges have been paraphrased in these rules, and some of the former standards of conduct rules, which were thought to be more pertinent to magisterial district judges in Pennsylvania than counterpart canons of the American Bar Association Code of Judicial Conduct, have been retained. In determining the standards that apply to them, the magisterial district judges need now consult only these rules and will not be required to consult other sources as was the case heretofore. When canons of the American Bar Association Code of Judicial Conduct have been paraphrased in these rules, pertinent official commentaries to those canons and those parts of the canons thought to be merely expository are set forth in the notes rather than in the rules.

   The provisions of this Rule 1 amended February 1, 1973, 3 Pa.B. 275.