Rule 18. RULES FOR SERVICE OF SENIOR JUDGES · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 18.2 lets a chief superior court judge request help from another court’s chief judge, a senior judge, a retired judge, or a judge emeritus when a sitting judge is disqualified, unable to preside, or when caseload requires extra help, and lets any active judge call a senior judge directly in an emergency.
Full Text of Rule 18.2
Text size
The chief judge of any superior court of this state may make a written request for assistance to the chief judge of any other superior court, a senior judge of the superior court, a retired judge, or
a judge emeritus of any court. The request by the chief judge may be made if one of the following circumstances arise:
(A) A judge of the requesting court is disqualified for any cause from presiding in any matter pending before the court;
(B) A judge of the requesting court is unable to preside because of disability, illness, or absence; or,
(C) A majority of the judges of the requesting court determines that the business of the court requires the temporary assistance of an additional judge or additional judges. OCGA § 15-1- 9.1(b).
An active judge may, except as hereinafter provided, call upon a senior judge to serve in an emergency or when the volume of cases or other unusual circumstances cause such service to be necessary in order to provide for the speedy and efficient disposition of the business of the circuit.
Plain-English Summary
Courts run short-handed sometimes — a judge recuses, falls ill, or the docket outgrows the bench. Rule 18.2 gives the chief judge of a superior court a formal channel for pulling in help: a written request to the chief judge of another superior court, to a senior judge, to a retired judge, or to a judge emeritus of any court.
The rule limits that request to three situations. A judge on the requesting court might be disqualified from a particular matter for any cause. A judge might be unable to preside because of disability, illness, or absence. Or a majority of the court’s judges might conclude that the volume of business calls for temporary extra judicial help. Any of those triggers the chief judge’s authority to ask for assistance.
The rule also gives active judges a more direct route for senior judges specifically: except as later limited elsewhere in this rule — including the residency requirement in Rule 18.5 and the bar in Rule 18.8 on calling a senior judge who is practicing law — an active judge can call on a senior judge to serve in an emergency, or whenever caseload or other unusual circumstances make that service necessary to keep the court’s business moving efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can a chief judge ask for judicial assistance under Rule 18.2?
The chief judge of any other superior court, a senior judge of the superior court, a retired judge, or a judge emeritus of any court.
What situations justify a chief judge’s request for assistance?
A judge being disqualified from a matter, a judge being unable to preside due to disability, illness, or absence, or a majority of the court’s judges determining that the court’s business requires temporary additional judges.
Can an active judge call on a senior judge without going through the chief judge’s formal request process?
Yes, except as otherwise limited elsewhere in this rule. An active judge may call upon a senior judge to serve in an emergency or when caseload or other unusual circumstances make that service necessary for speedy and efficient disposition of business.
Must the request for assistance be in writing?
The chief judge’s request described in the rule is a written request for assistance.
Does Rule 18.2 rely on any statute for the caseload-based request?
Yes, the caseload circumstance in paragraph (C) references OCGA § 15-1-9.1(b).
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Uniform Superior Court Rules, published by the
Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. Last verified July 17, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:Georgia request senior judge assistanceUSCR 18.2how to request a senior judge Georgia superior courtjudge disqualified request assistance GeorgiaRule 18.2 Georgia Uniform Superior Court Rules