17.1-511 - Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled. - Virginia Statutes

§ 17.1-511. Investigation and certification of necessity before vacanciesfilled.

When a vacancy occurs in the office of judge of any court of record, thevacancy shall not be filled until, after investigation, the Supreme Courtcertifies that the filling of the vacancy is or is not necessary. If theCourt certifies that the filling of the vacancy is necessary, the Court shallpublish notice of such certification in a publication of general circulationamong attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. No notice ofretirement submitted under § 51.1-305 or § 51.1-307 shall be revoked aftercertification of the vacancy by the Court. If the Court certifies that thefilling of the vacancy is not necessary, it shall recommend to the GeneralAssembly the manner of distributing the work of the judge; and the Governorshall not fill the vacancy.

(1940, p. 178, § 17-122; Michie Code 1942, § 5889a; 1944, p. 96; 1962, c.287; 1973, c. 544; 1998, c. 872; 1999, c. 319; 2004, c. 331.)