§ 7A-10. Organization; compensation of justices.
Article 3.
The Supreme Court.
§ 7A‑10. Organization;compensation of justices.
(a) The Supreme Courtshall consist of a Chief Justice and six associate justices, elected by thequalified voters of the State for terms of eight years. Before entering upon theduties of his office, each justice shall take an oath of office. Four justicesshall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the business of the court.Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, sessions of the court shall beheld in the city of Raleigh, and scheduled by rule of court so as to dischargeexpeditiously the court's business. The court may by rule hold sessions notmore than twice annually in the Old Chowan County Courthouse (1767) in the Townof Edenton, which is a State‑owned court facility that is designated as aNational Historic Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior.
(b) The Chief Justiceand each of the associate justices shall receive the annual salary provided inCurrent Operations Appropriations Act. Each justice is entitled toreimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses at the rate allowed Stateemployees generally.
(b1) In addition to thereimbursement for travel and subsistence expenses authorized by subsection (b)of this section, and notwithstanding G.S. 138‑6, each justice whosepermanent residence is at least 50 miles from the City of Raleigh shall also bereimbursed for the mileage the justice travels each week to the City of Raleighfrom the justice's home for business of the court. The reimbursement authorizedby this subsection shall be calculated for each justice by multiplying theactual round‑trip mileage from that justice's home to the City of Raleighby a rate‑per‑mile established by the Director of theAdministrative Office of the Courts, but not to exceed the business standardmileage rate set by the Internal Revenue Service.
(c) In lieu of meritand other increment raises paid to regular State employees, the Chief Justiceand each of the Associate Justices shall receive as longevity pay an annualamount equal to four and eight‑tenths percent (4.8%) of the annual salaryset forth in the Current Operations Appropriations Act payable monthly afterfive years of service, nine and six‑tenths percent (9.6%) after 10 yearsof service, fourteen and four‑tenths percent (14.4%) after 15 years ofservice, nineteen and two‑tenths percent (19.2%) after 20 years ofservice, and twenty‑four percent (24%) after 25 years of service."Service" means service as a justice or judge of the General Court ofJustice or as a member of the Utilities Commission. Service shall also meanservice as a district attorney or as a clerk of superior court. (1967, c. 108, s. 1; 1983, c.761, s. 242; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1034, s. 165; c. 1109, ss. 11, 13.1;1985, c. 698, s. 10(a); 1997‑56, s. 1; 2007‑323, ss. 14.21(a),28.18A(a).)