Article VI. Judicial Recusal and Disqualification
§ 2-601 Recusal.
A. Judges must recuse themselves in proceedings in which they have a direct personal or financial interest or their impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including, but not limited to, instances where:
1. The judge has demonstrated a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party or personal knowledge of disputed evidentiary facts;
2. The judge served as a lawyer, advocate, or personal representative in the matter before the Court, or a person with whom the judge has been associated in a professional capacity served as a lawyer, advocate, or personal representative concerning the matter;
3. The judge knows that they individually (or a member of the judge’s family residing in his or her household) has a financial interest in the subject matter of the controversy;
4. The judge is a party to the proceeding, or has any other interest that could be substantially affected by the proceedings; or
5. The judge’s immediate family or household member:
a. Is a party to the proceeding, or an officer, director, or trustee of a party;
b. Is acting as a lawyer or advocate in the proceeding;
c. Is known by the judge to have an interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding; or
d. Is, to the judge’s knowledge, likely to be a material witness in the proceeding.
B. Judges required to recuse themselves pursuant this rule may, instead of withdrawing from the proceeding, disclose on the record the basis of their disqualification. If, based on such disclosure, the parties and lawyers or advocates, independent of the judge’s participation, all agree that the judge’s participation is not prejudicial or that the judge’s interest is insubstantial, the judge is no longer disqualified, and may participate in the proceeding. (Res. 2021-43; Res. 2020-59; Res. 2020-42 Exh. A)