The 177th mitzvah is that judges are commanded to treat both litigants equally. Both must be allowed [to speak], whether it takes a long time or a short time.
The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement,1 "Judge your people fairly."
The Sifra2 explains, "He should not allow one to speak as long as he needs and then tell the other, 'Speak for a short time.' " This is one of the laws included in this commandment.
It also includes the law that if one is qualified to judge, and the litigants have begun to present their case, one is required to complete hearing the case. Our Sages explicitly said,3 "One is required by the Torah to act as a judge, as the verse says, 'Judge your people fairly.' "
This mitzvah also includes the law4 that one is required to judge other people favorably, and to explain their words and actions only in a good and kind way.
The details of this mitzvah are explained in a number of passages in the Talmud.
