17.1-107 - Designation of judge to assist regular judge holding case under advisement for unreasonable length of time.
§ 17.1-107. Designation of judge to assist regular judge holding case underadvisement for unreasonable length of time.
A. A judge of a circuit court in a civil case shall report, in writing, tothe parties or their counsel on any cause held under advisement for more than90 days after final submission stating an expected time of a decision. In anycivil case in which a judge holds any cause under advisement for more than 90days after final submission, fails to report as required by this section, orfails to render a decision within the expected time stated in the report, anyparty or their counsel may notify the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.Whenever the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or any justice designated byhim, has reasonable cause to believe that any judge of a court of record maybe holding one or more civil cases under advisement for an unreasonablelength of time, he shall inquire into the cause of such delay, and if hefinds it necessary in order to expedite the administration of justice, heshall designate a judge or retired judge of a court of record to assist theregular judge in the performance of his duties.
B. Complaints made hereunder shall be absolutely privileged and the name ofthe complainant shall not be disclosed without his consent.
(1962, c. 285, § 17-7.1; 1973, c. 544; 1998, c. 872; 2008, c. 813.)