No active judge shall call to serve any senior judge who is not a bona fide resident of and domiciled in this state.
Rule 18.5.Residence of Senior Judge
Rule 18. RULES FOR SERVICE OF SENIOR JUDGES · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 18.5 bars an active judge from calling on a senior judge to serve unless that senior judge is a bona fide resident of and domiciled in Georgia, which ties eligibility for senior-judge service to judges who maintain an ongoing, present-day connection to the state.
Full Text of Rule 18.5
Plain-English Summary
Rule 18.5 sets a residency floor on who can be called back to the bench. An active judge cannot ask a senior judge to serve unless that senior judge is a bona fide resident of Georgia and domiciled in the state.
The requirement keeps senior-judge service tied to judges who remain rooted in Georgia, rather than opening the pool to retired judges who have since moved their residence and domicile elsewhere. It is a short rule, but it functions as a gatekeeping check every time an active judge considers who to call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an active judge call on any retired judge authorized to serve?
No. Rule 18.5 forbids calling on a senior judge who is not a bona fide resident of and domiciled in Georgia.
What two conditions must a senior judge meet under Rule 18.5?
The senior judge must be a bona fide resident of Georgia and domiciled in the state.
Who does the residency requirement in Rule 18.5 restrict?
It restricts the active judge, who is prohibited from calling to serve any senior judge who does not meet the residency and domicile requirement.
Does Rule 18.5 apply to judges emeritus or retired judges from other states?
The rule as written addresses senior judges specifically and requires them to be bona fide residents of and domiciled in Georgia before an active judge may call them to serve.
Why might this residency rule matter in practice?
It ties the pool of judges available for senior-judge service to those with a current connection to Georgia rather than to judges who have relocated their residence and domicile out of state.
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 senior judge residency requirementUSCR 18.5domicile requirement senior judge Georgiawho can serve as senior judge GeorgiaRule 18.5 Georgia Uniform Superior Court Rules