It is the duty of a judge to declare the law, not to make it.

Explanation

Legislation belongs to the legislature; the judicial office is to interpret and apply existing law, never to invent new law from the bench.

Where this applies

• A judge created a new rule from the bench that the legislature never enacted.
• The court is essentially making new law instead of applying existing law.

See also

• 2.1.1 The law makes the government, not the government the law.
• 8.10.1 Stand by decisions and do not disturb settled matters.