"With righteousness, judge your neighbor"—Leviticus 19:15.
The judge presiding over a case must treat both litigants equally, giving each the opportunity to speak whatever is on his mind—whether he speaks briefly or at length.
Also included in this mitzvah is the obligation on a qualified judge who is versed in Torah's legal code to issue a verdict. This obligation takes effect as soon as the two litigants present their arguments before him.
And also included in this mitzvah is that every individual is commanded to give his fellow the benefit of the doubt, and, when circumstances allow, to interpret his fellow's actions or words in a favorable light.
