“I pick and choose my friends” – Supreme Court Nominee Justice Mensah on why judges limit social ties

Supreme Court Judge nominee, Justice Philip Bright Mensah, says the nature of judicial work demands that judges withdraw from many social circles in order to protect the credibility of the bench and uphold public trust in the justice system.

Speaking candidly during his vetting by Parliament's Appointments Committee on Tuesday, June 17, Justice Mensah highlighted the intense public scrutiny judges face—scrutiny that makes it risky to maintain even innocent social relationships.

“The life of a judge is such that you won’t understand unless you are in the field. Every step that you take and the things that you do are in the public eye, so when we are talking about trust in the system, you, as a judge, must behave yourself such that people will have confidence in the court that they are coming for justice," he explained.

"If you even associate yourself with some people, it gives room for suspicion, so you would have to isolate yourself from some things. I pick and choose my friends,” he added.

Justice Mensah stressed that the high ethical expectations placed on judges mean they must often sacrifice aspects of personal and social life in order to preserve the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.