The president will be able to consult the new ethics council whenever they consider it necessary to give guidance to a judge seeking advice on compliance with the ethical standards in a given situation.

The ethics council will have competence to give guidance regarding serving, ad hoc and former judges. Guidance can also concern the court itself, as an institution.

It will be made up of five members — the most senior vice-president of the court, the most senior section president and the three most senior sitting judges — assisted by the registrar of the court.

The decision to establish the ethics council was taken by the plenary court in December and announced today.

Announcing the move, the court said: “This development marks another important step taken by the court to demonstrate its commitment to judicial ethics. This includes in particular ensuring the ethical standards its judges are held to being both visible and robust.”