                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

INVESTIGATION AND CERTIFICATION OF NECESSITY BEFORE VACANCIES FILLED (§
17.1-511)

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.

HISTORY: 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.