District of Columbia Retired Judge Service Act
PL 98-598 (H.R.6007), enacted 10/30/1984

98 STAT. 3142 
PUBLIC LAW 98-598—OCT. 30, 1984 
Public Law 98-598 
98th Congress 
An Act 
Oct. 30, 1984 
[H.R. 6007] 
District of 
Columbia 
Retired Judge 
Service Act. 
To establish certain procedures regarding the judicial service of retired judges of 
District of Columbia courts, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SHORT TITLE 
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "District of Columbia 
Retired Judge Service Act". 
SERVICE OF RETIRED JUDGES 
SEC. 2. (a) Section 11-1504 of the District of Columbia Code is 
amended to read as follows: 
*'§ 11-1504. Services of Retired Judges 
"(a)(1) A judge, retired for reasons other than disability, who has 
been favorably recommended and appointed as a senior judge, in 
accordance with subsection (b), may perform such judicial duties as 
such senior judge is assigned and willing and able to undertake. A 
senior judge shall be subject to reappointment every two years in 
accordance with subsection (b). Except as provided under this sec-
tion, retired judges may not perform judicial duties in District of 
Columbia courts. 
"(2) Within 180 days of the date of retirement, a judge may 
request recommendation from the District of Columbia Commission 
on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure (hereinafter in this section 
referred to as the "Commission") to be appointed as a senior judge in 
accordance with this section. 
"(3) Retired judges actively serving on the date of enactment of 
the District of Columbia Retired Judge Service Act and willing to 
continue to perform judicial duties shall request recommendation 
from the Commission to be appointed as senior judges within 180 
days of the date of enactment of such Act in accordance with this 
section. 
"(bXD A retired judge willing to perform judicial duties may 
request a recommendation as a senior judge from the Commission. 
Such judge shall submit to the Commission such information as the 
Commission considers necessary to a recommendation under this 
subsection. 
"(2) The Commission shall submit a written report of its recom-
mendations and findings to the appropriate chief judge and the 
judge requesting appointment within 180 days of the date of the 
request for recommendation. The Commission, under such criteria 
as it considers appropriate, shall make a favorable or unfavorable 
recommendation to the appropriate chief judge regarding an ap-
pointment as senior judge. The recommendation of the Commission 
shall be final. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-598—OCT. 30, 1984 
98 STAT. 3143 
"(3) The appropriate chief judge shall notify the Commission and 
the judge requesting, appointment of such chief judge's decision 
regarding appointment within 30 days after receipt of the Comimis-
sion's recommendation and findings. The decision of such chief 
judge regarding such appointment shall be final. 
"(c) A judge may continue to perform judicial duties upon retire-
ment, without appointment as a senior judge, until such judge's 
successor assumes office. 
"(d) A retired judge, actively performing judicial duties as of the 
date of enactment of the District of Columbia Retired Judge Service 
Act, may continue to perform such judicial duties as he or she may 
be willing and able to assume, subject to the approval of the 
appropriate chief judge, for a period not to exceed one year from the 
date of enactment of such Act, without appointment as a senior 
judge.". 
Ot)) Section 431(g) of the District of Columbia Self-Government and 
Governmental Reorganization Act is amended by inserting "and to 
make recommendations regarding the appointment of senior judges 
of the District of Columbia courts as provided in section 11-1504 of 
the District of Columbia Code" after "in section 432". 
RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE DISTRICT OF 
COLUMBIA COURTS 
SEC. 3. Section ll-1703(c) of title 11, District of Columbia Code, is 
amended by inserting ", including retirement benefits," after "com-
pensation". 
CHANGES IN THE SMALL CLAIMS COURT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 
SEC 4. Section 1321 of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code is 
amended by striking out "$750" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"$2,000". 
EFFECTIVE DATE 
SEC 5. The provisions of this Act shall take effect on the date of 
the enactment of this Act. 
Approved October 30, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 6007: 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-910 (Comm. on the District of Columbia). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
July 30, considered and passed House. 
Sept. 28, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 9, House concurred in Senate amendments.