The term "assigned judge" as used in these rules refers to the judge to whom an action is assigned in accordance with these rules; or, if the context permits, in circuits having a general calendaring system, to the trial judge responsible for the matter at any particular time.
Rule 2.5.Assigned Judge
Rule 2. DEFINITIONS · Last amended 2010 · Last verified July 17, 2026
In one sentenceRule 2.5 defines “assigned judge” as the judge to whom a case has been assigned under the assignment rules, or, in circuits using a general calendaring system instead of individual case assignment, whichever judge is currently responsible for the matter.
Full Text of Rule 2.5
Plain-English Summary
Rule 2.5 has to account for two different ways a circuit might run its docket. In the more familiar model, the “assigned judge” is the judge to whom an action is assigned in accordance with these rules — the judge fixed to the case through the method Rule 3 sets out. In circuits that instead run a general calendaring system, the definition shifts: the assigned judge is the trial judge responsible for the matter at any particular time, since no single judge is tied to the case from filing to judgment.
That flexibility matters because so many other provisions turn on who the “assigned judge” is — exclusive control over the action under Rule 3.3, supervision of the calendar clerk under Rule 2.4, and the assignment mechanics of Rule 3.1 all depend on identifying that judge correctly, whichever calendaring model a circuit has chosen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two possible meanings of “assigned judge” under Rule 2.5?
The judge to whom an action is assigned under these rules, or, if the context permits, in circuits with a general calendaring system, the trial judge responsible for the matter at a particular time.
Does the definition assume every circuit assigns one judge to a case for its entire duration?
No. Rule 2.5 accounts for circuits with a general calendaring system, where the responsible judge can be identified by who is handling the matter at a given time.
When was Rule 2.5 last amended?
October 7, 2010.
Which rules govern how a judge becomes the assigned judge for a case in the first place?
The case-assignment rules in Rule 3, including the method of assignment described in Rule 3.1.
Does “assigned judge” always refer to the same judge throughout a case?
Not necessarily — in circuits with a general calendaring system, it can refer to whichever judge is responsible for the matter at a particular time rather than a single fixed judge.
Amendment History
Amended effective October 7, 2010.
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
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