Organization of court of claims

§ 2. Organization of court of claims. 1. The court of claims is hereby continued.

2. Such court shall consist of (a) twenty-seven judges, who shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate; (b) such number of additional judges not exceeding seventeen to and including December thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-two, and not exceeding fifteen on and after January first, nineteen hundred eighty-three, as shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate; (c) such number of additional judges not exceeding nineteen as shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate prior to December thirty-first, nineteen hundred eighty-two; (d) such number of additional judges not exceeding thirty-seven as shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate; (e) such number of additional judges not exceeding twelve as shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, provided that no more than five of such judges shall be appointed prior to July first, nineteen hundred ninety.

3. The term of each judge hereafter appointed shall be nine years, provided, however, that the existing terms of present judges shall continue until the expiration thereof.

4. Whenever the term of office of a judge shall expire, or his office become vacant from any cause, his successor shall be appointed for the unexpired term. Notwithstanding the provisions of section five of the public officers law, a judge of the court of claims shall hold over and continue to discharge the duties of his office, after the expiration of the term for which he shall have been appointed, until his successor shall have been chosen and qualified but after the expiration of such term the office shall be deemed vacant for the purpose of choosing his successor.

6. By an order to be filed in the office of the secretary of state, the governor shall designate one of the judges as presiding judge, who shall act as such during his term, and thereafter upon the appointment of his successor, the governor shall designate such successor or any other judge of the court as presiding judge, who shall act as such during his term.

7. A judge of the court of claims must be an attorney and counselor-at-law admitted to practice in the courts of this state, of at least ten years' experience in practice.

8. Whenever in any other statute reference is made to the board of claims or any officer thereof, the same shall be deemed to refer to and mean the court of claims or an officer thereof. A determination of the board of claims heretofore rendered shall have the same force and effect and be subjected to the same procedure as provided in this act for a judgment.