When a vacancy occurs in the office of judge of any court of record, the vacancy shall not be filled until, after investigation, the Supreme Court certifies that the filling of the vacancy is or is not necessary. If the Court certifies that the filling of the vacancy is necessary, the Court shall publish notice of such certification in a publication of general circulation among attorneys licensed to practice in the Commonwealth. No notice of retirement submitted under § 51.1-305 or § 51.1-307 shall be revoked after certification of the vacancy by the Court. If the Court certifies that the filling of the vacancy is not necessary, it shall recommend to the General Assembly the manner of distributing the work of the judge; and the Governor shall not fill the vacancy.
1940, p. 178, § 17-122; Michie Code 1942, § 5889a; 1944, p. 96; 1962, c. 287; 1973, c. 544; 1998, c. 872; 1999, c. 319; 2004, c. 331.
Structure Code of Virginia
§ 17.1-500. Establishment of circuit courts
§ 17.1-503. Rules of practice and procedure; rules not to preclude judges from hearing certain cases
§ 17.1-505. Circuit court of county to constitute circuit court of certain cities
§ 17.1-507. Maximum number of judges; residence requirement; compensation; powers; etc.
§ 17.1-508. Judges in new or changed circuits; ratifying, validating and confirming certain actions
§ 17.1-509. Vacancies in office of judge
§ 17.1-510. Election of judge of new circuit; how court held meanwhile
§ 17.1-511. Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled
§ 17.1-512. Election of successor judge before date of vacancy
§ 17.1-513. Jurisdiction of circuit courts
§ 17.1-513.01. Jurisdiction of circuit courts with respect to charitable assets
§ 17.1-513.1. Appeals from administrative proceedings; abuse and neglect; record to be sealed
§ 17.1-514. When plaintiff entitled to less than $100; judgment for defendant
§ 17.1-515. Jurisdiction formerly in county courts
§ 17.1-515.1. Territorial jurisdiction of the Circuit Court for the City of Lynchburg
§ 17.1-515.4. Designation of certain courtrooms within sixteenth circuit for trial of certain cases
§ 17.1-515.6. Concurrent law-enforcement jurisdiction over Joint Judicial Center in Winchester
§ 17.1-516. Jurisdiction of courts over certain waters
§ 17.1-517. Number of terms; how fixed
§ 17.1-518. Special terms; when, how and by whom appointed
§ 17.1-519. Adjournment thereof to a future day
§ 17.1-520. What tried at a special term
§ 17.1-521. Who to hold special term; powers
§ 17.1-522. Adjournment of special term