reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-6 - [See Note] [Terms of court]

(a)
The terms of court for the court shall be the same as the terms of court for the Supreme Court.
(b)
The court shall sit at the seat of government in Atlanta and shall conduct proceedings and trials in locations as provided for in this Code section.
(c)
Proper venue in the Georgia Tax Court shall be in Fulton County, as the principal place of business of the Department of Revenue. The pleadings to initiate an action to the court do not need to establish venue.
(d)
The court may also hold hearings at any place within this state, with a view toward securing to taxpayers a reasonable opportunity to appear before the court with as little inconvenience as practicable. When the court holds hearings outside of its principal location, it shall do so in a place that is physically separate from facilities regularly occupied by the state revenue commissioner.
(e)
All cases before the Georgia Tax Court may have pretrial proceedings or trials, in the sole discretion of the court judge to whom the case is assigned, conducted via video, telephone, or other efficient technological means as may be deemed necessary or useful to conserve the resources of the parties or the court.
(f)
The court judge to whom a case is assigned shall preside over a bench trial.
(g)
When a court judge is disqualified from presiding over a case or proceeding pursuant to Code Section
15-1-8
or any other applicable law, the case shall be transferred to another court judge, if applicable, and if no other court judge may preside over such case, then the Supreme Court shall order a sitting judge of the Court of Appeals, a superior court, or a state court to sit by designation as a court judge.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-7 - [See Note] [Seat; electronic filing system]

(a)
The offices of the judges and clerk of the Georgia Tax Court shall sit at the seat of government in Atlanta.
(b)
The chief court judge, in coordination with the clerk, shall be responsible for designating an electronic filing system.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-8 - [See Note] [Law assistants]

(a)
The chief court judge shall be authorized to appoint law assistants for the use of the court and to remove them at pleasure. Each law assistant of the court shall have been admitted to the bar of this state as a practicing attorney; provided, however, that an individual who graduated from law school but who is not a member of the bar of this state may be appointed as a law assistant so long as he or she is admitted to the bar of this state within one year of such appointment.
(b)
It shall be the duty of a law assistant to attend all sessions of the court, if so ordered, and generally to perform the duties incident to the role of law assistant.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-9 - [See Note] [Salaries of clerk, stenographers, clerical assistants, and other employees]

The chief court judge may employ and fix the salaries of a clerk, stenographers, clerical assistants, and such other employees as may be deemed necessary by the court, and the salaries therefor shall be paid by the clerk from the amount appropriated by the General Assembly for such purposes.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-10 - [See Note] [Budget unit]

The Georgia Tax Court shall be a budget unit as defined in Part 1 of Article 4 of Chapter 12 of Title 45, the 'Budget Act'; provided, however, that the court shall be assigned for administrative purposes only to the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-11 - [See Note] [Petition for relief; jurisdiction]

(a)
On and after August 1, 2026, any person may petition the court for relief as set forth in Code Sections
48-2-18
,
48-2-35
,
48-2-59
,
48-5-519
,
48-6-7
, and
48-6-76
and subparagraph (d)(2)(C) of Code Section
48-7-31
. The court shall have jurisdiction over actions for declaratory judgment that fall within subsection (a) of Code Section
50-13-10
and involve a rule of the state revenue commissioner that is applicable to taxes administered by the state revenue commissioner under Title 48.
(b)
The court shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the superior courts over all matters arising from petitions filed under subsection (a) of this Code section and all related legal claims.
(c)
The court shall not have jurisdiction to hear any matter arising under Title 3 or Title 40.
(d)
No person shall be required as a condition either to initiating or maintaining an action before the court to provide a surety bond or other security for any amounts that may be in dispute in such action. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the state revenue commissioner from requiring a bond under those circumstances set forth in Code Section
48-2-51
.
(e)
The court shall also have jurisdiction over refund petitions filed pursuant to Code Section
48-5-342
.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-13 - [See Note] [Stay]

(a)
Except as provided for in Code Section
48-2-51
, involving jeopardy assessments, the filing of a petition with the court shall operate as a stay of any enforcement or collection action by the state revenue commissioner with respect to any tax, penalty, interest, or collection costs that are disputed in the petition until the court decision is finalized, including appeals to any appellate court.
(b)
Upon petition by the state revenue commissioner, and for good cause shown, the court judge may lift the stay provided for in subsection (a) of this Code section.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-14 - [See Note] [Fees]

(a)
Upon filing a petition, the petitioner shall pay to the clerk of the court a fee as determined by the rules established by the court.
(b)
A similar fee shall be paid by other parties making an appearance in the proceeding, except that no fee shall be charged to a government body or government official appearing in a representative capacity.
(c)
The chief court judge may fix a fee, not in excess of the fees charged and collected by the clerks of the superior courts of this state, for compiling, or for preparing and compiling, a transcript of the record, or for copying any record, entry, or other paper and the compilation and certification thereof.
(d)
All fees collected by the clerk of the court pursuant to this Code section shall be the property of the state, and the same shall be paid into the state treasury.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-16 - [See Note] [Trials]

(a)
Trials in proceedings before the court shall be de novo and without a jury. All questions of law decided by the court, including interpretations of constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions, shall be made without any deference to any determination or interpretation, whether written or unwritten, that may have been made on the matter by the department, except such requirement shall have no effect on the judicial standard of deference accorded to rules promulgated pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia Administrative Procedure Act.' Hearings shall be open to the public, but on motion of any party, if such party shows good cause to protect certain information from being disclosed to the public, the court judge may issue a protective order or an order closing part or all of a hearing to the public.
(b)
The court shall take evidence, and the court judges shall conduct hearings and issue final judgments and interlocutory orders.
(c)
The court judges shall apply the rules of evidence as applied in the trial of civil nonjury cases in the superior courts; provided, however, that, for hearings conducted in the small claims division, the court judge may, when necessary to ascertain facts not reasonably susceptible of proof under such rules, consider evidence not otherwise admissible thereunder if it is of a type commonly relied upon by reasonably prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs.
(d)
Testimony before a court judge shall be given only on oath or affirmation.
(e)
The petition and other pleadings in the proceeding shall be deemed to conform to the proof presented at the hearing, unless a party satisfies the court judge that presentation of the evidence would unfairly prejudice the party in maintaining its position on the merits or unless deeming the taxpayer's petition to conform to the proof would confer jurisdiction on the court over a matter that would not otherwise come within the court's jurisdiction.
(f)
Except for hearings conducted in the small claims division of the court as provided in Code Section 15-5B-18, all hearings before the court shall be recorded by means acceptable for use in courts of this state.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-17 - [See Note] [Final judgments and interlocutory orders; confidentiality; stare decisis]

(a)
Except with regard to proceedings in the small claims division of the court pursuant to Code Section 15-5B-18, the court judge shall render all final judgments and interlocutory orders in writing, as appropriate, including therein a concise statement of the facts found and the conclusions of law reached. The court judge's final judgment or interlocutory order shall, subject to law, grant such relief, invoke such remedies, and issue such orders as the court judge deems appropriate to carry out its final judgment or interlocutory order.
(b)
The chief court judge shall adopt rules and regulations to address confidentiality of taxpayer information and proceedings before the court.
(c)
The court judges shall adhere to the principle of stare decisis. The court judge's interpretation of a tax statute subject to contest in one case shall be followed by the court in subsequent cases involving the same statute, and its application of a statute to the facts of one case shall be followed by court judges in subsequent cases involving similar facts, unless the court judge's interpretation or application conflicts with that of an appellate court or the court judge provides satisfactory reasons for departing from prior precedent.
(d)
Except as to a final judgment of the small claims division, all other final judgments of the court shall be indexed and published in such print or electronic form as the chief court judge deems best adapted for public convenience. Such publications shall be made permanently available and constitute the official reports of the court.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-18 - [See Note] [Small claims division]

(a)
There is hereby established a small claims division of the court.
(b)
Court judges shall sit as the judges of the small claims division.
(c)
Within 90 days of filing a petition pursuant to Code Section 15-5B-12, a taxpayer may elect to have the small claims division have jurisdiction over any proceeding with respect to which the amount of tax and penalties in controversy, exclusive of interest, is less than a threshold amount determined by the rules of the court. A taxpayer shall not revoke such election to proceed in the small claims division after this 90 day period. For good cause, the court judge may, on his or her own motion or on the motion of a party to the case, remove a case from the small claims division.
(d)
In proceedings before the small claims division of the court, accountants and other tax return preparers designated by the taxpayer shall be permitted to accompany and appear with the taxpayer in order to provide factual information regarding positions taken on tax returns of the taxpayer. An accountant or tax return preparer accompanying and appearing with a taxpayer for this purpose shall not be deemed to be acting as an advocate of the taxpayer or representing the taxpayer before the court.
(e)
At any time prior to entry of judgment, a taxpayer may dismiss a proceeding in the small claims division by notifying the clerk of the court in writing. Such dismissal shall be without prejudice.
(f)
Hearings in the small claims division shall be conducted in a manner consistent with proceedings before magistrate courts, as specified in Article 3 of Chapter 10 of this title. The court judge may receive such evidence as the judge deems appropriate for determination of the case. Testimony shall be given under oath or affirmation.
(g)
A judgment of the small claims division shall be conclusive upon all parties and shall not be appealed. A judgment of the small claims division shall not be considered or cited as precedent in any other case, hearing, or proceeding.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-19 - [See Note] [Adoption of rules of practice and procedure; adoption of rules and forms]

The court shall adopt rules of practice and procedure and adopt all reasonable rules and forms as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this chapter.
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 5B - GEORGIA TAX COURT ACT OF 2025 (§§ 15-5B-1 — 15-5B-20) › Section 15-5B-20 - [See Note] [Docket; interlocutory order regarding delay]

(a)
The court shall docket the declaratory judgments of the state revenue commissioner pursuant to subsection (h) of Code Section
48-2-35
as actions in the court without the filing of a petition for relief.
(b)
(1)
The court shall determine by interlocutory order the party at fault for the delay in finally determining a claim for refund.
(2)
If the court determines that the department is primarily at fault, the order shall require that the department pay all interest due to the taxpayer on the claim for refund, including the interest due on the local sales and use tax deemed to have been illegally or erroneously collected. The court shall thereafter remand the matter back to the department for determination on the underlying claim for refund.
(3)
If the court determines that the taxpayer who made the claim for refund is primarily at fault, the order shall prohibit the accrual of any interest due to the taxpayer on the finally determined claim for refund. The court shall thereafter remand the matter back to the department for determination on the underlying claim for refund.
(4)
If the court determines that the delay is justified, the order shall remand the matter back to the department for determination and for further hearings at the court's discretion.
(c)
The court, at its discretion, may award reasonable attorney's fees to either party in such proceedings.
(d)
Orders of the court issued pursuant to this Code section shall be excluded from the provisions of subsection (d) of Code Section 15-5B-17.
(e)
Except as otherwise provided in this Code section, such actions shall follow the procedures and court rules applicable to other proceedings within the court.
PART II
Added by 2024 Ga. Laws 601,§ 1-2, eff. for administrative purposes only on 1/1/2025, only if amendment to Constitution to provide that Georgia Tax Court shall have state-wide jurisdiction as provided by law and that decisions of such court shall be appealed to Court of Appeals, subject to review by Supreme Court of Georgia, is ratified by voters at the November, 2024, state-wide general election; If such amendment is not so ratified, then this Act shall not become effective and shall stand repealed on 1/1/2025; if amendment is ratified, effective for all other purposes on 7/1/2026.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-4 - Qualifications of judges

(a)
No individual shall be judge of the superior courts unless, at the time of his or her election, he or she has attained the age of 30 years, has been a citizen of the state for three years, has practiced law for seven years, and is a member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia and has been duly reinstated to the practice of law in the event of his or her disbarment therefrom.
(b)
The office of any superior court judge shall be vacated upon the disbarment or suspension from the practice of law of such judge by the Supreme Court whether voluntary or involuntary and upon order of the Supreme Court providing for such removal from office.
Amended by 2017 Ga. Laws 48,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2017.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-4.1 - Election of judges

Each judge of the superior courts shall be elected by the electors of the judicial circuit in which the judge is to serve.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-5 - Restrictions on practice of law

Following their election, the judges of the superior courts are prohibited from practicing law in any of the courts of this state, provided that they may practice until their qualification in any case in which they may have been actually employed before their election. They are also prohibited from practicing as attorneys, proctors, or solicitors in any district or circuit courts of the United States after their election or while in commission.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-6 - Oath of judges

Before entering on the duties of their office, superior court judges must take the oath required of all civil officers and in addition they must take the following oath:
"I swear that I will administer justice without respect to person and do equal rights to the poor and the rich and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as judge of the superior courts of this state, according to the best of my ability and understanding, and agreeably to the laws and Constitution of this state and the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-7 - Effect of attachment of county to different judicial circuit

A person who has been elected a judge of the superior courts of any circuit cannot be deprived of his office by attachment of the county in which he resides to a different judicial circuit; such person may continue to discharge the duties of his office as though he resided in the circuit.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-8 - Jurisdiction and powers of superior courts

The superior courts have authority:
(1)
To exercise original, exclusive, or concurrent jurisdiction, as the case may be, of all causes, both civil and criminal, granted to them by the Constitution and laws;
(2)
To exercise the powers of a court of equity;
(3)
To exercise appellate jurisdiction from judgments of the probate or magistrate courts as provided by law;
(4)
To exercise a general supervision over all inferior tribunals and to review and correct, in the manner prescribed by law, the judgments of:
(A)
Magistrates;
(B)
Municipal courts or councils;
(C)
Any inferior judicature;
(D)
Any person exercising judicial powers; and
(E)
Judges of the probate courts, except in cases touching the probate of wills and the granting of letters of administration, in which a jury must be impaneled;
(5)
To punish contempt by fines not exceeding $1,000.00, by imprisonment not exceeding 20 days, or both; and
(6)
To exercise such other powers, not contrary to the Constitution, as are or may be given to such courts by law.
Amended by 2013 Ga. Laws 173,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-9 - Authority of judges generally

The judges of the superior courts have authority:
(1)
To grant for their respective circuits writs of supersedeas, quo warranto, mandamus, habeas corpus, and bail in actions ex delicto;
(2)
To entertain bills quia timet;
(3)
To grant writs of injunction, prohibition, and ne exeat;
(4)
To grant all other writs, original or remedial, either legal or equitable, which may be necessary to the exercise of their jurisdiction and which are not expressly prohibited;
(5)
To hear and determine questions arising upon:
(A)
Writs of habeas corpus or bail, when properly brought before them;
(B)
All motions to grant, revive, or dissolve injunctions; and
(C)
The giving of new security or the lessening of the amount of bail;
(6)
To perform any and all other acts required of them at chambers;
(7)
To hear and determine all motions to dismiss petitions for equitable relief, and all motions to revoke or change orders appointing receivers, after ten days' written notice has been given to the opposite party or his attorney by either party by service with a copy of such motion to dismiss or to revoke or change such order; and
(8)
To administer oaths and to exercise all other powers necessarily appertaining to their jurisdiction or which may be granted them by law.
Amended by 2022 Ga. Laws 875,§ 2-7, eff. 7/1/2023, app. to petitions for review filed in superior or state court on or after such date.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-10 - Discharge of duties

Each of the judges of the superior courts shall discharge all the duties required of him by the Constitution and laws for the circuit for which he was elected or appointed and may also hold court and exercise other judicial functions for other circuits when permitted by law.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-11.1 - Superior court judges performing ordered military duty

(a)
Any judge of superior court who is performing ordered military duty, as defined in Code Section
38-2-279
, shall be eligible for reelection in any primary or general election which may be held to elect a successor for the next term of office and may qualify in absentia as a candidate for reelection to such office. The performance of ordered military duty shall not create a vacancy in such office during the term for which such judge was elected.
(b)
Where the giving of written notice of candidacy is required, any judge of superior court who is performing ordered military duty may deliver such notice by mail, agent, or messenger to the proper elections official. Any other act required by law of a candidate for public office may, during the time such official is on ordered military duty, be performed by an agent designated in writing by the absent public official.
Added by 2008 Ga. Laws 555,§ 2, eff. 5/12/2008.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-12 - Judges' jurisdiction coextensive with limits of state; authority when serving in other circuits

(a)
The jurisdiction of the judges of the superior courts is coextensive with the limits of this state; they may act in circuits other than their own when authorized by law, but they are not compelled to alternate unless required by law.
(b)
The authority granted in subsection (a) of this Code section to each judge in his own circuit may be exercised by any judge of another circuit whenever the resident judge is absent from the circuit so that the business thereof cannot be done as speedily as necessary, or is indisposed, or is interested in a case, or is laboring under any disqualification or inability to serve, or in case the circuit is, from any cause, without a judge. The grounds for the exercise of such authority should be shown.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-13 - Disqualified judge to procure replacement; failure as ground of impeachment

(a)
When from any cause a judge of the superior court is disqualified from presiding in a matter, he shall procure the services of another superior court judge to try the matter, even if he has to call for a special term of court for that purpose.
(b)
Failure of a judge to comply with subsection (a) of this Code section within a reasonable time, when it is in his power to do so, is a ground of impeachment.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-14 - Selection of replacement judge when disqualified judge fails to act

(a)
When from any cause the judge of the superior court or any city court is disqualified from presiding in any civil case and has failed to procure the services of a judge to try the case, then the parties litigant, by consent, may select any attorney of this state to preside in the case; the attorney so selected, when the consent is entered on the minutes, shall exercise all the functions of a judge in that case. Any senior judge of the superior courts may likewise be selected.
(b)
In all cases mentioned in subsection (a) of this Code section, when the case or cases are reached in their order on the docket without an agreement by the parties as to the selection of an attorney to preside as judge, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the superior court or in his absence, the deputy clerk to select some competent attorney practicing in that court, who shall likewise have authority and preside in the case as aforesaid. Any senior judge of the superior courts may likewise be selected.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-15 - Assignment by Governor of alternate for disabled judge; duty of judge assigned

(a)
Whenever it is satisfactorily made to appear to the Governor that any regular term of the superior court, as fixed by law, in any county, will not be held or continued in session because of the bodily or mental sickness or other disability of the judge of the superior court of the circuit in which such county is located and when it is likewise made to appear that any special term of the superior court, in any county, for like causes, will not be held or continued in session, it shall be the duty of the Governor to name and assign another superior court judge to proceed to the county and to hold the regular or special term of the court. However, no judge shall be named or assigned to hold such court when the time fixed for holding the same conflicts with the time fixed by law for the holding of any regular or special term already called by him in his circuit.
(b)
It shall be the duty of any judge of the superior courts, when named and assigned by the Governor as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section, to proceed to the county where the court in question is to be held and to open and hold the same in the manner prescribed by law or by the order of the presiding judge of that circuit in the calling of a special term.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-16 - Authority of superior court judges

Each judge of the superior court shall have authority to perform any judicial act which he or she is lawfully entitled to perform, regardless of where such judge is located when such judicial act is performed.
Amended by 2021 Ga. Laws 202,§ 1-1, eff. 5/4/2021.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-17 - Time and place of holding court generally; habeas corpus and other nonjury proceedings; satellite courthouses

(a)
One or more of the judges of the superior courts must hold the superior court of each circuit at the county site and courthouse, if any, of each county in the respective judicial circuit or at some other place at the county site designated by law not less than twice each year, at such times as are prescribed by the General Assembly; provided, however, that, in any county in which a state correctional institution, county correctional institution, or jail is located, one or more judges of the superior court of such county shall be authorized to conduct habeas corpus and other nonjury proceedings pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 9 involving inmates of such state correctional institution, county correctional institution, or jail in a suitable room at the institution. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed or interpreted to require any judge to conduct habeas corpus and other nonjury proceedings pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 9 involving inmates of such state correctional institution, county correctional institution, or jail nor to establish any right of any inmate of any such correctional institution to have any habeas corpus and other nonjury proceedings pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 14 of Title 9 involving inmates of such correctional institutions.
(b)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, in a county where the county site is located in an unincorporated area of the county, the county governing authority may construct one or more permanent satellite courthouses within the county and designate each such structure as a courthouse annex or otherwise establish each such structure as an additional courthouse to the courthouse located at the county site. The judges of the superior court in such county may hold sessions of superior court and conduct all other superior court business at the additional courthouse locations or at the courthouse at the county site. One or more of the judges of the superior court must hold a session of superior court at the county site not less than twice each year. All actions taken by a superior court judge at any additional courthouse in accordance with this subsection shall be fully valid and binding as though taken and performed at the county site.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-19 - Length of terms of courts

The regular terms of the superior and state courts shall continue until the commencement of the next regular term, at which time they shall stand adjourned.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-20 - Special terms

The judges of the superior courts may, in their discretion, hold special terms of court in any county within their respective circuits when the business requires it to close the dockets and may, in the exercise of a sound discretion, cause new juries to be drawn for the same or may order the juries drawn for the regular term to give their attendance upon such special terms. The judges are authorized to hold special terms of court for the trial of criminal cases or for the disposition of civil business, or both, in any county of their circuits, at their discretion, and either to compel the attendance of grand or trial jurors of a previous term or to draw new jurors, according to law.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-21 - Time for deciding motions; filing and notification; noncompliance as ground for impeachment

(a)
In a county with less than 100,000 inhabitants, it shall be the duty of the judge of the superior, state, or city court, unless providentially hindered or unless counsel for the plaintiff and the defendant agree in writing to extend the time, to decide promptly, within 30 days after the same have been argued before him or submitted to him without argument, all motions for new trials, injunctions, demurrers, and all other motions of any nature.
(b)
In all counties with more than 100,000 inhabitants, it shall be the duty of the judge of the superior, state, or city court, unless providentially hindered or unless counsel for the plaintiff and the defendant agree in writing to extend the time, to decide promptly, within 90 days after the same have been argued before him or submitted to him without argument, all motions for new trials, injunctions, demurrers, and all other motions of any nature.
(c)
When he or she has so decided, it shall be the duty of the judge to file his or her decision with the clerk of the court in which the cases are pending and to notify the attorney or attorneys of the losing party of his or her decision. Said notice shall not be required if such notice has been waived pursuant to subsection (a) of Code Section
9-11-5
.
(d)
If any judge fails or refuses, unless providentially hindered or unless counsel for the plaintiff and the defendant agree in writing to extend the time, to obey the provisions of subsections (a) through (c) of this Code section, or if any judge repeatedly or persistently fails or refuses to decide the various motions, demurrers, and injunctions coming before him in the manner provided by such subsections, such conduct shall be grounds for impeachment and the penalty therefor shall be his removal from office.
Amended by 2001 Ga. Laws 264, § 2, eff. 7/1/2001.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-22 - Adjournments

(a)
The judge may, during a term of court, adjourn the court to such time as he may think fit.
(b)
In case of unavoidable accidents, whereby the superior court in any county is not held at the time appointed for holding the same, the clerk of court shall adjourn the court from day to day, not exceeding two days. Unless the presiding judge orders to the contrary within the two days, the clerk shall then adjourn the court to the next term.
(c)
When the clerk of the superior court is informed by the presiding judge that it is not possible for the judge to attend the regular term of the court, from sickness of himself or his family or other unavoidable cause which shall be expressed in the order of adjournment, and the judge for proper reasons in his discretion does not procure another judge to preside in his absence, the clerk shall adjourn the court to such time as the judge may direct and shall advertise the same at the courthouse of the county in which the court is to be held and one or more times in a public newspaper.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-23 - Signing documents in any county in circuit

Any judge of the superior courts may sign any document connected with the official duties of his office in any county comprising a part of his circuit, including all writs, orders, judgments, and warrants required to be signed by the judge. The document may be signed by the judge in any county within his circuit in which he is present at the time the document is signed.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-24 - Payment of court's contingent expenses

(a)
Any contingent expenses incurred in holding any session of the superior court, including lights, fuel, stationery, rent, publication of grand jury presentments when ordered published, and similar items, such as taking down testimony in felony cases, etc., shall be paid out of the county treasury of such county upon the certificate of the judge of the superior court and without further order.
(b)
Any costs incurred in providing defense services pursuant to Chapter 12 of Title 17, the "Georgia Indigent Defense Act of 2003," for persons accused of crimes shall not be considered contingent expenses of the superior court for purposes of this Code section.
Amended by 2007 Ga. Laws 63,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2007.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-25 - Employment of secretary authorized

(a)
Each superior court judge is authorized to employ a secretary.
(b)
All personnel actions involving secretaries appointed pursuant to this Code section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Code Section
15-6-27
.
2023 CODE OF GEORGIA › Title 15 - COURTS (§§ 15-1-1 — 15-25-3) › Chapter 6 - SUPERIOR COURTS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-100) › Article 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS (§§ 15-6-1 — 15-6-36) › Section 15-6-28 - Law assistants and court administrators for judicial circuits; circuits having institutions for carrying out death sentences

(a)
The chief judge of each judicial circuit is authorized to employ either one law assistant or one court administrator for the circuit. Each judicial circuit is authorized to employ additional law assistants and administrators subject to availability of funds.
(b)
The chief judge of a judicial circuit wherein there is located an institution of the state designated by the Department of Corrections for carrying out the death sentence is authorized to employ a law assistant whose primary duty shall be to assist the court in handling appeals made by individuals awaiting execution.
(c)
All personnel actions involving law assistants and court administrators employed pursuant to this Code section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Code Section
15-6-27
.
(d)
Funds for salaries, expenses, and other remuneration for law assistants and court administrators employed pursuant to this Code section shall be paid from state funds appropriated or otherwise available for the operation of the superior courts.