חושן משפט י׳Choshen Mishpat 10

Se’if 1א׳

להיות מתון בדין ושימלך בגדול ממנו. ובו ד סעיפים: צריך הדיין להיות מתון בדין שלא יפסיקנו עד שיחמיצנו וישא ויתן בו ויהיה ברור לו כשמש והגס לבו בהוראה וקופץ ופוסק הדין קודם שיחקרנו היטב בינו לבין עצמו עד שיהיה ברור לו כשמש הרי זה שוטה רשע וגס רוח:

The judge needs to be deliberate in judgement, so that he will not rule on it until he processes it and deals with it, and it is clear to him like the Sun. And one who is haughty of heart in ruling, and who jumps and rules on the judgement before he investigates it well to himself, until it is clear to him like the Sun - he is an idiot, evil, and haughty of spirit.

Se’if 2ב׳

כל מי שבא לידו דין ומדמהו לדין אחר שבא לידו כבר ופסקו ויש עמו בעיר גדול ממנו בחכמה ואינו נמלך בו ה"ז בכלל הרשעים שלבם גס בהורא':

Every [Judge] before whom a lawsuit comes and he compares it to another case that had already come before him6At which time he did consult the scholar who is greater than he — M.E. and gave a decision [by analogy] whilst there is with him in the [same] town [a scholar who] is greater than he in wisdom and he fails to consult him [in the present case], is regarded as included among the wicked who give decisions in haughtiness.7For it is quite possible that the present case is not similar to the first in all respects and consequently, requires a new orientation. Yad, Sanhedrin XX, 8, derived from Yeb. 109b in accord with the alternate exposition of R. Isaac : ‘Or I may explain, “he who nails himself to the matter of the law,” refers to a Judge before whom a case comes, and he having learned a certain Halachah (with respect to a similar case) decides by analogy, while there is a greater scholar than he whom he fails to consult.’ The same ruling applies to ritual law — Tummim.

Se’if 3ג׳

כי רבים חללים הפילה זה ת"ח שלא הגיע להוראה ומורה ועצומים כל הרוגיה זה שהגיע להוראה ואינו מורה והוא שיהיה הדור צריך לו אבל ידע שיש שם ראוי להוראה ומונע עצמו מההוראה ה"ז משובח וכל המונע עצמו מן הדין מונע ממנו איבה וגזל ושבועת שוא:

For she hath cast down many wounded,'8Prov. VII, 26. refers to a scholar who has not attained [the age of] ordination, and [yet,] renders decisions; 'Yea, a mighty host are her slain,'8Prov. VII, 26. refers to one who has attained [the age of] ordination, but avoids giving decisions,9A.Z. 19b. provided [his] generation has need of him.10Yad, Sanhedrin XX, 8; Tur. Derived from Ber. 63a. However, if he knew that there is [another scholar available] there [who is] fit to render decisions, and [on account of this] he refrains from giving decisions, he is considered praiseworthy.11For this entire ruling v. supra § 8, 3, nn. 26-28. Whosoever refrains from [trying] a lawsuit avoids enmity and robbery and a vain oath.12Aboth IV, 7. This is applicable even if the generation has need of him, for even if the law is quite clear, the Judge should endeavour to arbitrate the case — M.E.