Vt. Admin. Ord. Of. Sup. Ct. 2.12

As amended through November 4, 2024

Rule 2.12 - Supervisory Duties

(A) A judge shall require court staff, court officials, and others subject to the judge's direction and control to act in a manner consistent with the judge's obligations under this Code.

(B) A judge with supervisory authority for the performance of other judges shall take reasonable measures to ensure that those judges properly discharge their judicial responsibilities, including the prompt disposition of matters before them.

Vt. Admin. Ord. Of. Sup. Ct. 2.12

Amended August 6, 2019, eff. 10/7/2019.

Comment

[1] A judge is responsible for his or her own conduct and for the conduct of others, such as staff, when those persons are acting at the judge's direction or control. A judge may not direct court personnel to engage in conduct on the judge's behalf or as the judge's representative when such conduct would violate the Code if undertaken by the judge.

[2] Public confidence in the judicial system depends upon timely justice. To promote the efficient administration of justice, judges with supervisory authority must take the steps needed to ensure that judges under their supervision administer their workloads promptly.

Reporter's Notes

Rule 2.12 carries forward Vermont Code 1994, Canon 3C(2) and (3) with some clarifying changes. New Comment [1] emphasizes the importance of staff and the limits that the Code places on their activities in the court room and otherwise in the performance of their official duties when under "the judge's direction and control." New Comment [2] highlights the connection between public confidence and the timely administration of justice. See ABA Reporter's Explanation 106-07.