§ 461c - Powers of assistant judges in divorce proceedings - Vermont Statutes

§ 461c. Powers of assistant judges in divorce proceedings

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an assistant judge who has served in that office for a minimum of two years may elect to hear and determine a complaint or action which seeks a divorce in cases where a stipulation of the parties has been reached.

(b) When an assistant judge elects to hear such cases, the clerk shall set it for hearing before the assistant judge. In the event both assistant judges elect to hear such cases, the senior assistant judge shall make case assignments.

(c) Assistant judges shall satisfactorily complete a minimum of 30 hours of training on the subjects of child support and divorce, which shall be provided by the office of child support, and in order to hear and determine complaints under this section upon completion of the training, assistant judges not already conducting hearings under this section as of July 1, 1995, shall conduct a minimum of three uncontested divorce hearings with a family court judge who shall, in his or her sole discretion, certify to the supreme court that the assistant judge is qualified to preside over matters under this section. (Added 1993, No. 237 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 1994; amended 1995, No. 59, § 3; 1997, No. 90 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)