Utilization of retired judges

Pursuant to detailed court rules promulgated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, former judges of the Courts of the Virgin Islands who completed at least 12 years of service as a Judge of the Superior or Supreme Court, and are not actively engaged in the practice of law before the Superior Court may be assigned by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to preside over a specific case or cases if all active judicial officers are unavailable due to conflict. In every case, before assigning a retired judge, the Chief Justice must certify that no active judicial officers are able to hear the specific matter due to conflict. All current Senior Sitting Judges who do not meet the years of service may complete their current caseload but may not be assigned any new cases in the Superior Court. The compensation to be paid said former judges shall be on a per diem basis, not to exceed the salary of a Superior Court Judge. Utilization of a retired judge hereunder shall in no way interrupt or interfere with the continued payment of said judges retirement annuity under Title 3, chapter 27 of the Code.