KSC, TITLE 6.  THE JUDICIARY
 
Chapter 12.  Justices

Section 6.1201.  Standards of conduct.
Section 6.1202.  Legislature consent.
Section 6.1203.  Compensation and benefits of justices.
Section 6.1204.  Justice pro tempore.
Section 6.1205.  Extra-State action.
Section 6.1206.  Representation funds.

      Section 6.1201.  Standards of conduct.
 
        The standards of conduct for justices consist of:

     (1)  the provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct of the American Bar Association in effect on the effective date of the Code, except to the extent made stricter by rule; and

     (2)  any other standard established by rule consistent with the Code of Judicial Conduct.

Cross reference:
The constitutional provisions on the Judiciary are found in Kosrae Const., Art. VI.

      Section 6.1202.  Legislature consent.
 
        When the Legislature is considering a nomination to a justiceship the term “learned in the law” means either:

     (1)  having completed law school and practiced law for at least two years in the State; or

     (2)  having had at least eight years of experience in making, interpreting, enforcing or executing law, or advising or representing clients in legal matters.

      Section 6.1203.  Compensation and benefits of justices.
 
        The annual salary of the Chief Justice is eighteen thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars ($18,375).  The annual salary of an Associate Justice is sixteen thousand nine hundred and ten dollars ($16,910).

Background
Amended by State Laws 5-198 and 6-132 (effective October 1, 1997).

      Section 6.1204.  Justice pro tempore.

     (1)  The Court proposes to the Legislature a person with the qualifications of a justice for the Legislature’s approval by resolution of the Legislature to be available to serve as a justice pro tempore for a period of one year.

     (2)  The Court may appoint only an approved person as a justice pro tempore to exercise the powers of a justice in an action for which a justice is not lawfully available.

     (3)  Appointment is pursuant to a method of regular rotation established by rule.

     (4)  Unless a justice pro tempore dies, becomes disabled, resigns, or is absent from the State on non-judicial matters for three months, or his term expires, an appointment once made continues in effect until the entry of a final judgment or order in the designated matter and the expiration of the time for filing of a post-trial motion, or until final disposition of a post-trial motion.  If, upon remand after appeal the same person is eligible for appointment as justice pro tempore, he continues as justice pro tempore in that matter.

      Section 6.1205.  Extra-State action.
 
        A judicial act by the Court or a justice outside the State has the same effect as if taken within the State.

      Section 6.1206.   Representation funds.
 
        In addition to compensation provided by this Chapter, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices are entitled to receive reimbursement for actual expenses incurred in the performance of the duties of their offices to the extent funds are appropriated for that purpose.

     (1)   Reimbursement is not available under this Section for personal or political expenses.  Reimbursement is not available under this Section if the expense is reimbursable from any other source, including sources other than the State.

     (2)  Funds may be provided to the Chief Justice or an Associate Justice only after presentation of evidence of the amount of expenses and documentation that the expenses were incurred in the performance of official duties.  Any permanent physical items for which reimbursement is provided under this Section become the property of the State.

     (3)  The Director of Administration and Finance shall provide a monthly report to the Chief Justice of expenses for which reimbursement is provided under this Section.  The Chief Justice is the final arbiter of any dispute regarding a claim for reimbursement under this Section and shall adopt internal rules or regulations regarding the reimbursement procedure.

Background
Added by State Law 7-44.

Cross reference:
The constitutional provisions on the Judiciary are found in Kosrae Const., Art. VI.