Section 1. In case of a vacancy in the office of chief justice of the supreme judicial or the superior court, or of his illness or absence, his duties shall be performed by the senior justice present and qualified to act.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases
Title I - Courts and Judicial Officers
Chapter 213 - Provisions Common to the Supreme Judicial and Superior Courts
Section 1 - Chief Justices; Vacancies
Section 1a - Concurrent Jurisdiction; Exception
Section 1b - Questions of Law; Reservation; Report to Appeals Court
Section 2 - Process; Issuance in Other Counties
Section 3 - Rules; Power to Make and Promulgate
Section 3a - Rules; Printing and Disposition of Copies
Section 4 - Courts Always Open
Section 5 - Transaction of Business in Any County
Section 6 - Duration of Sittings; Adjournments
Section 7 - Simultaneous Sessions
Section 8 - Accounts and Expenses; Allowance
Section 9 - Attendance of Justices
Section 10 - Adjournment to Another Shire Town
Section 11 - Adjournment in Absence of Justice; Sheriff's Duty
Section 12 - Written Order to Sheriff to Adjourn; Absence of Justice