Panel to study senior judge issues.

The Supreme Court of Florida has recently appointed a Committee on Appointment and Assignment of Senior Judges.

Senior judges are defined in rule 2.030(a)(3)(D), Rules of Judicial Administration, as retired judges serving on assignment to temporary judicial duties. Currently there are no specified guidelines or requirements for senior judge appointment and they may be assigned in any court divisions and handle any court proceeding.

With respect to appointment, the Supreme Court has asked the committee to make recommendations as to whether there is a need for a formalized certification process for the appointment of a retired judge as a senior judge. If the committee finds that there is not a need for a certification process, the court would like to know what type of process should be established to determine the eligibility of senior judges for service in the state's trial and appellate courts.

With respect to assignment, the Supreme...