TITLE 1: GOVERNMENT
DIVISION 3: JUDICIAL BRANCH
§ 3305. Appointment of Special Judges. (a) Whenever the prompt and efficient dispatch of the business of any court of the Commonwealth requires the services of one or more judges in addition to those regularly appointed and serving in the Supreme Court or the Superior Court of the Commonwealth, special judges shall be designated and assigned in accordance with the provisions of this section. (b) The Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate one or more special Commonwealth judges to be available to serve temporarily in the Superior Court or the Supreme Court. The Governor shall, in his discretion, determine the number of special judges to be appointed, after consultation with the Chief Justice of the Commonwealth. (c) A special Commonwealth judge may be designated and assigned to sit or hold court as provided in this section. (d) The Chief Justice of the Commonwealth shall maintain a roster of special Commonwealth judges, which roster shall be known as the roster of special judges. (e) The name of every special Commonwealth judge shall be included in the roster of special judges. (f) When in the discretion of the Chief Justice the prompt and efficient dispatch of the business of the Supreme Court requires the service of a special Commonwealth judge, the Chief Justice may designate and assign a special Commonwealth judge to a particular case or proceeding or to serve for a special period of time. (g) When in the discretion of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court the prompt and efficient dispatch of the business of the Superior Court requires the service of a special Commonwealth judge, the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court shall present the Chief Justice of the Commonwealth with a certificate of necessity and the Chief Justice shall thereupon designate and assign one or more special Commonwealth judges to sit and hold court in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth. (h) All designations and assignments of a special Commonwealth judge shall be in writing and shall specify the judicial duties assigned and duration of the designation and assignment. (i) The salary of special Commonwealth judges shall be paid on a pro rata basis, at the rate set by law for the judicial office which the special judge is designated and assigned to perform. Source: PL 6-25, § 3, ch. 3 (§ 3305).