Once a motion that sets forth a ground for recusal under Article151 is referred for hearing, the supreme court shall appoint an ad hoc judge to hear the motion to recuse, and only the ad hoc judge to whom the motion is assigned shall have the power and authority to act in the cause pending disposition of the motion.
Art. 155.Selection of Judge to Try Motion to Recuse
Title I. Courts · Chapter 3. Recusal of Judges · Last amended 2021 · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 155 provides that once a motion stating a valid ground for recusal is referred for hearing, the supreme court appoints an ad hoc judge to hear it, and only that ad hoc judge may act in the case until the motion is resolved.
Full Text of Art. 155
Amendment History
Amended by Acts 2021, No. 143, §1, eff. 8/1/2021. Acts 2001, No. 417, §1.
Plain-English Summary
A judge cannot rule on a motion asking that same judge to step aside. Article 155 hands that job to someone else entirely: once a motion sets out a ground for recusal under Article 151 and gets referred for hearing, the supreme court appoints an ad hoc judge to decide it.
Until that motion is resolved, the case is effectively frozen as far as the original judge is concerned. Only the ad hoc judge assigned to the recusal motion has the power to act in the underlying case while the recusal question is pending — the original judge cannot keep moving the case forward in the meantime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides whether a judge should be recused?
Not the judge whose recusal is sought. Article 155 has the supreme court appoint an ad hoc judge to hear and decide the motion.
Can the original judge keep working on the case while a recusal motion is pending?
No. Article 155 gives the ad hoc judge assigned to the motion exclusive authority to act in the cause until the recusal motion is decided.
Does every recusal motion get an ad hoc judge appointed?
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the vLex (Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, 2026 Edition). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
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