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GA HB927
Bill
Status
Passed
5/3/2016
Primary Sponsor
Christian Coomer
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AI Summary
- Increases the Georgia Supreme Court from 7 to 9 Justices, with the 2 new positions appointed by the Governor beginning January 1, 2017, and subject to nonpartisan election in 2018 for six-year terms; contingent on funds being appropriated in the 2016 session
- Transfers appellate jurisdiction over several categories of civil cases from the Supreme Court to the Court of Appeals, including cases involving title to land, equity, wills, extraordinary remedies, and divorce/alimony, effective January 1, 2017
- Grants the Court of Appeals greater procedural flexibility by allowing it to establish by rule how cases may be heard by more than a single division, how precedent is set, and how prior decisions may be overruled, replacing the prior rigid statutory framework requiring two divisions plus a seventh judge
- Allows law school graduates who have not yet been admitted to the Georgia bar to serve as law assistants for both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, provided they gain bar admission within one year of appointment
- Revises the Supreme Court's terms of court to begin in December, April, and September (instead of January, April, and August), and adjusts reversal/affirmance rules to require concurrence of at least 5 Justices (up from 4) when fewer than the full 9-member bench decides a case
Legislative Description
"Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Act of 2016"; enact
Last Action
Effective Date
7/1/2016
Full Bill Text
No bill text available