99-25 IN RE: JUDGES - RETENTION OF CASES BY JUDGE AFTER REASSIGNMENT - ORDERED 7/22/1999 BY J. PRESTON SILVERNAIL
EXCERPT: “There are certain cases which should be retained by a judge which have been reassigned as a result of the annual rotation. These cases include, but are not limited to, cases in which there has been considerable judicial labor which will likely have to be duplicated and cases in which a judge has developed a certain area of expertise. The following procedures will be used to vacate the annual rotation assignment order in specific cases:
1. By the judge formerly assigned to the case.
The judge who was formerly assigned to the case may sua sponte enter an order vacating the assignment within sixty days after the case is reassigned. Reassignment after sixty days must be approved by the Chief Judge.
2. By any of the parties.
Any party may file a “Motion to Vacate Assignment” with the judge who was previously assigned to the case stating the grounds which justify the motion and may schedule a hearing before that judge for a determination of whether the case should be reassigned. If the judge determines that the case should be retained, the judge may enter an order vacating the reassignment.
Done and Ordered this 22nd day of July 1999.”