Iowa Code. Jud. Cond. 51:2.2
A judge shall uphold and apply the law,* and shall perform all duties of judicial office fairly and impartially.*
Iowa. Code. Jud. Cond. 51:2.2
Comment
[1] To ensure impartiality and fairness to all parties, a judge must be objective and open-minded.
[2] Although each judge comes to the bench with a unique background and personal philosophy, a judge must interpret and apply the law without regard to whether the judge approves or disapproves of the law in question.
[3] When applying and interpreting the law, a judge sometimes may make good-faith errors of fact or law. Errors of this kind do not violate this rule.
[4] It is not a violation of this rule for a judge to make reasonable accommodations to ensure self-represented litigants the opportunity to have their matters fairly heard. By way of illustration, a judge may:
(1) provide brief information about the proceeding;
(2) provide information about evidentiary and foundational requirements;
(3) modify the traditional order of taking evidence;
(4) refrain from using legal jargon;
(5) explain the basis for a ruling; and
(6) make referrals to any resources available to assist the litigant in the preparation of the case.