TITLE III :
THE DISCIPLINE TO BE OBSERVED IN TRIBUNALS (Cann. 1446 -
1475)
CHAPTER I :
THE DUTIES OF THE JUDGES AND OF THE OFFICERS OF THE TRIBUNAL
Can.
1446 §1 All Christ's faithful, and especially Bishops, are to strive earnestly,
with due regard for justice, to ensure that disputes among the people of God
are as far as possible avoided, and are settled promptly and without rancour.
§2 In the
early stages of litigation, and indeed at any other time as often as he
discerns any hope of a successful outcome, the judge is not to fail to exhort
and assist the parties to seek an equitable solution to their controversy in
discussions with one another. He is to indicate to them suitable means to this
end and avail himself of serious-minded persons to mediate.
§3 If the
issue is about the private good of the parties, the judge is to discern whether
an agreement or a judgement by an arbitrator, in accordance with the norms of
cann. 1717 - 1720[6 ], might usefully serve to resolve the controversy.
Can.
1447 Any person involved in a case as judge, promotor of justice, defender of
the bond, procurator, advocate, witness or expert cannot subsequently, in
another instance, validly determine the same case as a judge or exercise the
role of assessor in it.
Can.
1448 §1 The judge is not to undertake the hearing of a case in which any
personal interest may be involved by reason of consanguinity or affinity in any
degree of the direct line and up to the fourth degree of the collateral line,
or by reason of guardianship or tutelage, or of close acquaintanceship or
marked hostility or possible financial profit or loss.
§2 The
promotor of justice, the defender of the bond, the assessor and the auditor
must likewise refrain from exercising their offices in these circumstances.
Can.
1449 §1 In the cases mentioned in can. 1448, if the judge himself does not
refrain from exercising his office, a party may object to him.
§2 The
judicial Vicar is to deal with this objection. If the objection is directed
against the judicial Vicar himself, the Bishop in charge of the tribunal is to
deal with the matter.
§3 If the
Bishop is the judge and the objection is directed against him, he is to refrain
from judging.
§4 If the
objection is directed against the promotor of justice, the defender of the bond
or any other officer of the tribunal, it is to be dealt with by the presiding
judge of a collegial tribunal, or by the sole judge if there is only one.
Can.
1450 If the objection is upheld, the persons in question are to be changed, but
not the grade of trial.
Can.
1451 §1 The objection is to be decided with maximum expedition, after hearing
the parties, the promotor of justice or the defender of the bond, if they are
engaged in the trial and the objection is not directed against them.
§2 Acts
performed by a judge before being objected to are valid. Acts performed after
the objection has been lodged must be rescinded if a party requests this within
ten days of the admission of the objection.
Can.
1452 §1 In a matter which concerns private persons exclusively, a judge can
proceed only at the request of a party. In penal cases, however, and in other
cases which affect the public good of the Church or the salvation of souls,
once the case has been lawfully introduced, the judge can and must proceed ex
officio.
§2 The
judge can also supply for the negligence of the parties in bringing forward
evidence or in opposing exceptions, whenever this is considered necessary in
order to avoid a gravely unjust judgement, without prejudice to the provisions
of can. 1600.
Can.
1453 Judges and tribunals are to ensure that, within the bounds of justice, all
cases are brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible. They are to see to it
that in the tribunal of first instance cases are not protracted beyond a year,
and in the tribunal of second instance not beyond six months.
Can.
1454 All who constitute a tribunal or assist in it must take an oath to
exercise their office properly and faithfully.
Can.
1455 §1 In a penal trial, the judges and tribunal assistants are bound to
observe always the secret of the office; in a contentious trial, they are bound
to observe it if the revelation of any part of the acts of the process could be
prejudicial to the parties.
§2 They are
also obliged to maintain permanent secrecy concerning the discussion held by
the judges before giving their judgement, and concerning the various votes and
opinions expressed there, without prejudice to the provisions of can. 1609 §4.
§3 Indeed,
the judge can oblige witnesses, experts, and the parties and their advocates or
procurators, to swear an oath to observe secrecy. This may be done if the
nature of the case or of the evidence is such that revelation of the acts or
evidence would put at risk the reputation of others, or give rise to quarrels,
or cause scandal or have any similar untoward consequence.
Can.
1456 The judge and all who work in the tribunal are forbidden to accept any
gifts on the occasion of a trial.
Can.
1457 §1 Judges can be punished by the competent authority with appropriate
penalties, not excluding the loss of office, if, though certainly and
manifestly competent, they refuse to give judgement; if, with no legal support,
they declare themselves competent and hear and determine cases; if they breach
the law of secrecy; or if, through deceit or serious negligence, they cause
harm to the litigants.
§2 Tribunal
officers and assistants are subject to the same penalties if they fail in their
duty as above. The judge also has the power to punish them.
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