§258 Chief Judges; Precedence of Judges

Summary

Names who must serve as the chief judge of the Court of International Trade and how long they serve. The job goes to the active judge who has served the longest and who (1) is 64 years old or younger, (2) has been a judge for at least 1 year, and (3) has never been chief judge. If no one fits that, the youngest active judge who is 65 or older and has served at least 1 year acts as chief. If still none, the active judge who has served the longest and has never been chief acts. The chief judge normally serves 7 years and stays on until another eligible judge is ready. A judge acting under the backup rules serves only until someone meets the main rules. No judge may serve as chief after turning 70 unless no one else is qualified. The chief leads court sessions when present. Other judges lead by how long they have served; if they started the same day, the older judge leads. A chief may give up the chief duties but stay a judge by telling the Chief Justice. If the chief is temporarily unable, the next-in-line able judge takes over.