QUESTION: Does a judge violate Canon 3B(4) by the appointment of his bailiff as investigator to make social studies in adoption cases when: such appointment is made with the consent of all counsel in the case and only in contested matters; and where the prior results were found to be excellent, the task performed diligently, and economically?

ANSWER: Upon the basis of recited facts, it is the unanimous opinion of the Committee that such action is not violative of the cited provision of the Code of Judicial Conduct.