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NOTICE: Supreme Court Reinstates Filing Deadlines in its Cases (Click Here)
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ANNOUNCEMENT: The Chief Justice has extended the Statewide Judicial Emergency Order until Wednesday, June 30, 2021
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IN-PERSON ORAL ARGUMENT GUIDELINES (REVISED) (posted March 2022)
Court Information Regarding The Coronavirus.
Information
Orders
8/19/2021 – UPDATED ORDER REGARDING REMOTE ADMISSION DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (ends effective April 19, 2022 – March 16, 2022 order)
Press Releases
12/21/2022—Supreme Court to Review, Seeks Public Comment on Georgia Lawyer Competency Task Force Report
Atlanta, December 21, 2022 – Georgia’s Lawyer Competency Task Force has submitted its preliminary report to the Supreme Court of Georgia. Created in March 2021 by former Chief Justice Harold D. Melton, the task force was charged with evaluating the current requirements for admission to practice law in Georgia and exploring alternatives to the existing regulatory framework. The task [...]
9/9/21 – JUDGE DARRISAW APPOINTED TO JQC
Atlanta, September 9, 2021 – The Supreme Court of Georgia has appointed Dougherty County Superior Court Judge Victoria S. Darrisaw to the Investigative Panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission. Judge Darrisaw replaces Justice Verda M. Colvin, who resigned from the JQC after her appointment as a Justice. Judge Darrisaw will complete Justice Colvin’s term, ending on June 30, 2023. [...]
8/19/2021 – JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION FILINGS ADDED TO SUPREME COURT WEBSITE
Atlanta, August 19, 2021 – In an effort to increase transparency and convenience, the Supreme Court of Georgia is making the most commonly requested, publicly filed documents regarding Judicial Qualifications Commission matters available on its website. These filings, including formal charges, answers, and associated orders and opinions of the Supreme Court, may be found on our website (gasupreme.us) under [...]
8/5/2021 – SUPREME COURT TO HOLD AUGUST ORAL ARGUMENTS REMOTELY
Atlanta, August 5, 2021 – Chief Justice David E. Nahmias announced today that the Supreme Court’s oral arguments scheduled for Aug. 24, 25 and 26 will be conducted remotely. The Court’s decision to return to video conferencing for oral arguments comes in the wake of revised public health guidance and the increase of delta variant COVID-19 cases in Georgia. [...]
6/22/2021 – COURTS MAY CONTINUE REMOTE PROCEEDINGS
Atlanta, June 22, 2021 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced today that even though the Statewide Judicial Emergency is due to expire at the end of this month, Georgia’s courts may continue to conduct proceedings using video and other remote technology under rules initially adopted during the judicial emergency. In consultation with trial courts, the Supreme Court has [...]
6/4/2021 – STATEWIDE JUDICIAL EMERGENCY EXPECTED TO END JUNE 30
Atlanta, June 4, 2021 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced today that he plans to issue an order Monday extending for the fifteenth time the Statewide Judicial Emergency he first declared March 14, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. But he expects this order extending the judicial emergency will be the last.In a virtual emergency meeting this afternoon [...]
5/8/2021 – DEADLINES TO BE REINSTATED FOR INDICTING THOSE IN JAIL
Atlanta, May 8, 2021 – Under an order signed today by Chief Justice Harold D. Melton, next Friday, May 14, deadlines will be reimposed on prosecutors for presenting cases to the grand jury involving detained adults and juveniles. The order is the 14th the Chief Justice has signed that extends for 30 days the Statewide Judicial Emergency he first [...]
5/5/2021 – SUPREME COURT TO RESUME IN-PERSON PROCEEDINGS
Atlanta, May 5, 2021 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced today that beginning June 9, 2021, the state’s highest court will resume conducting oral arguments in person at the Nathan Deal Judicial Center in downtown Atlanta. For the first time in more than a year, all nine justices will be seated together on the bench in the sixth [...]
4/8/2021 – JUDICIAL EMERGENCY EXTENDED, BUT MORE RESTRICTIONS DUE TO BE LIFTED
Atlanta, April 8, 2021 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton today extended for another month the Statewide Judicial Emergency he first declared more than a year ago on March 14, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s order, which will be in effect until May 8, is nearly identical to the previous order he signed last month extending the [...]
3/24/2021 – JULY BAR EXAM TO BE REMOTE, WHILE TASK FORCE WILL STUDY ALL ASPECTS OF ASSESSING LAWYER COMPETENCY
Atlanta, March 24, 2021 – The Supreme Court of Georgia announced today that the Georgia Bar Exam scheduled for this summer will be given remotely due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. It will be the third Georgia bar exam administered remotely during the past year. More than 1,000 applicants are expected to take the test that is required for [...]
3/9/2021 – JURY TRIALS TO RESUME IN GEORGIA, AGAIN
Atlanta, March 9, 2021 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton today issued an order that lifts the suspension of jury trials in Georgia, “effective immediately.” With today’s order, which is the 12th he has signed extending the Statewide Judicial Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, trial courts may resume jury trials, “if that can be done safely and in [...]
2/7/2021 – STATEWIDE JUDICIAL EMERGENCY EXTENDED
Atlanta, Feb. 7, 2021 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton today extended for another month the Statewide Judicial Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order he signed today is the 11th he has signed that extends the emergency he first declared on March 14, 2020. Under state law, the Chief Justice is authorized to declare an emergency for [...]
12/22/2020 – CHIEF JUSTICE TO SUSPEND JURY TRIALS
Atlanta, December 22, 2020 – In an emergency session today with state judicial leaders, Chief Justice Harold D. Melton said he will sign an order tomorrow, Dec. 23, that will suspend jury trials statewide in the face of the disturbing spread of the coronavirus. The order will amend the most recent order he signed on Dec. 9, which extended [...]
12/9/2020 – JUDGES URGED TO EXERCISE RENEWED CAUTION FOR IN-PERSON COURT PROCEEDINGS IN LIGHT OF COVID SURGE
Atlanta, Dec. 9, 2020 – With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Georgia, Chief Justice Harold D. Melton signaled today that judges should stand ready to reverse course and pull back on in-person court proceedings if the spread of the virus in their area prevents them from doing so safely. The Chief Justice made the statement in signing [...]
11/9/2020 – STATEWIDE JUDICIAL EMERGENCY EXTENDED
Atlanta, November 9, 2020 –Chief Justice Harold D. Melton today signed his eighth order extending for one month the Statewide Judicial Emergency he first declared on March 14, 2020 due to COVID-19. The Chief Justice is authorized under state law to declare such an emergency for a period of 30 days. He has continued to do so every month [...]
11/9/2020 – GEORGIA BAR EXAM AGAIN TO BE OFFERED ONLINE
Atlanta, November 9, 2020 –In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Supreme Court of Georgia has decided for a second time to replace an in-person Georgia Bar examination with an online test that will be offered remotely on Feb. 23 and 24, 2021. Chief Justice Harold D. Melton made the announcement today and said that registration will open tomorrow, [...]
10/7/2020 – JURY TRIALS ALLOWED TO RESUME IN GEORGIA; WILL FOLLOW COVID-19 SAFETY GUIDELINES
Atlanta, October 7, 2020 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia announced today that he will sign an order Saturday, Oct. 10 that lifts the suspension of jury trials across Georgia. The order will extend until Nov. 9, 2020 the Statewide Judicial Emergency the Chief Justice declared on March 14, 2020 in response to [...]
9/10/2020 – GRAND JURY PROCEEDINGS TO RESUME IN GEORGIA
Atlanta, September 10, 2020 – Grand jury proceedings may resume under an order signed today by Chief Justice Harold D. Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia. The order extends until Oct. 10 the Statewide Judicial Emergency Chief Justice Melton first declared on March 14, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the sixth time it has been [...]
8/11/2020 – CHIEF JUSTICE AGAIN EXTENDS JUDICIAL EMERGENCY
Atlanta, August 11, 2020 – For the fifth time since mid-March, Chief Justice Harold D. Melton has extended for another month the Statewide Judicial Emergency that he first announced March 14, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “[R]ecognizing again that most in-court proceedings compel the attendance of various individuals rather than allowing them to decide how best to [...]
7/20/2020 – ONLINE TEST WILL REPLACE IN-PERSON GEORGIA BAR EXAM
Atlanta, July 20, 2020 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced today that the Supreme Court of Georgia has canceled the in-person Georgia bar examination that was scheduled for Sept. 9-10 at the Georgia International Convention Center. Due to public health concerns during the pandemic, an online exam will be administered Oct. 5-6 in its place. At that time, [...]
7/10/2020 – CHIEF JUSTICE EXTENDS JUDICIAL EMERGENCY
Atlanta, July 10, 2020 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton today signed an order extending the Statewide Judicial Emergency that he first announced March 14, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the fourth time he has extended the emergency – this time until Aug. 11 in keeping with state law that authorizes him to extend an [...]
6/12/2020 – Chief Justice Extends Statewide Judicial Emergency Order
Atlanta, June 12, 2020 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced today that he has extended until Sunday, July 12, 2020, the statewide judicial emergency that he initially declared on March 14. After consulting with the Judicial Council of Georgia, the Judicial COVID- 19 Task Force, and other judicial partners, and recognizing again that most in-court proceedings compel the [...]
5/20/2020 – SUPREME COURT TO RESTART ITS CASES AND REINSTATE ITS FILING DEADLINES
Atlanta, May 20, 2020 – On Thursday, May 21, 2020, the Supreme Court of Georgia will issue orders designed to keep the Court operating to the fullest extent possible during and after the statewide judicial emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Court takes this action recognizing that most of the deadlines imposed by the Court’s rules pertain to [...]
5/4/2020 – CHIEF JUSTICE WILL EXTEND STATEWIDE JUDICIAL EMERGENCY
Atlanta, May 4, 2020 - Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced today that he will extend for another month the Statewide Judicial Emergency, which is due to expire May 13. Under an order the Chief Justice plans to sign later this week, the emergency initially declared on March 14 will be extended for a second time until Friday, June [...]
5/4/2020 – DRAFT VIDEO TRIAL FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
The Council of Superior Court Judges has drafted an amendment to Uniform Superior Court Rule 9.1 that would authorize civil non-jury trials to be conducted by video conference. The Supreme Court is seeking comments from the judiciary, members of the bar, and the public regarding this draft rule. Please submit any comments no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, [...]
4/17/2020 – SUPREME COURT RESCHEDULES BAR EXAM, ADOPTS RULE ALLOWING LAW SCHOOL GRADUATES TO PRACTICE TEMPORARILY WITHOUT BAR LICENSE
The Supreme Court of Georgia announced today that due to the coronavirus, it has rescheduled the July 28-29 bar exam for September 9-10. Out of concern for the difficulties this necessary delay creates for recent law school graduates, the Court also has adopted a temporary rule allowing recent graduates to become provisionally admitted to practice law before taking the [...]
4/6/2020 – CHIEF JUSTICE EXTENDS JUDICIAL EMERGENCY
Atlanta, April 6, 2020 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton issued an order today that extends the statewide judicial emergency until May 13, 2020. The Chief Justice first declared a judicial emergency on March 14 which was due to expire April 13. While under a statewide judicial emergency, courts are ordered to remain open to deal with matters that [...]
3/31/2020 – HIGH COURT APPROVES RULES TO KEEP COURTS OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE
Atlanta, March 31, 2020 – The Supreme Court of Georgia has issued orders approving amendments to current trial court rules for the purpose of keeping Georgia’s courts open and accessible during the COVID-19 emergency. Under the statewide judicial emergency that Chief Justice Harold D. Melton declared on March 14, 2020, courts throughout the state must remain open to address [...]
3/27/2020 – GA SUPREME COURT TO HOLD VIRTUAL COURT SESSION
Atlanta, March 27, 2020 – The Supreme Court of Georgia is gearing up to hold oral arguments via video conferencing the week of April 20, Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced today. In the face of the coronavirus outbreak, this is the first time in history the state’s highest court will hold a virtual session. “We are committed to [...]
3/17/2020 – GEORGIA SUPREME COURT SUSPENDS FILING DEADLINES
In response to the Chief Justice’s declaration Saturday, March 14 of a statewide judicial emergency, the Supreme Court of Georgia has determined the following: The declaration order automatically suspends filing deadlines in this Court until 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2020, which is the date the order terminates; When the order does expire, attorneys will have the same amount [...]
3/14/2020 – March oral argument sessions are canceled.
Atlanta, March 14, 2020 – March oral argument sessions are canceled. The cases scheduled for March oral argument will be added to the April 2020 oral argument calendar.
3/14/2020 – CHIEF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE JUDICIAL EMERGENCY
Atlanta, March 14, 2020 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton today declared a Statewide Judicial Emergency effective immediately due to the spread of the coronavirus throughout Georgia “and the potential infection of those who work in or are required to appear in our courts.” The order states that courts “should remain open to address essential functions, and in particular [...]
3/12/2020 – COURTS MAY SUSPEND JURY TRIALS IF NECESSARY
Atlanta, March 12, 2020 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton today directed Georgia’s judges to consider limiting all non-essential functions in courthouses across the state for at least two weeks. In an emergency telephone meeting with judges representing all classes of courts, the Chief Justice informed the judicial leaders that under state law, the Chief Judge of each judicial [...]
3/12/2020 – SUPREME COURT TAKES STEPS TO LIMIT EXPOSURE TO VIRUS
Atlanta, March 12, 2020 – Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced that effective today, the Supreme Court of Georgia will take the following steps to curtail the amount of people coming into the Nathan Deal Judicial Center during the threat of the coronavirus. All tours of the new building are canceled until further notice; The swearing-in ceremonies of attorneys [...]