Senate Engrossed House Bill

 

civil case assignment; judges

 

 

 

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2022

 

 

 

CHAPTER 283

 

HOUSE BILL 2723

 

An Act

 

amending title 12, chapter 1, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 12-137; relating to the superior court.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 12, chapter 1, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 12-137, to read:

START_STATUTE12-137. Civil case assignment

A. The assignment of a civil case to a superior court judge in a county with a population of more than one million persons must be done by either automated means or a formula that is approved by the supreme court and must be done in a blind manner. In an emergency matter or when a judge who is assigned to a case becomes unavailable, the superior court must assign a judge in a blind manner, except that the superior court may account for judicial availability. The superior court may deviate from a blind assignment protocol to ensure that cases are assigned to appropriate specialty courts for tax, complex, commercial and water rights cases.

B. A judge may not select a case for assignment to the judge. A judge may not refuse to accept an assigned case unless good cause exists or a court rule or ethical consideration requires or allows for refusal. END_STATUTE

 

 

 

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR JUNE 7, 2022.

 

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE JUNE 7, 2022.