Assignment of Judges.

a. Upon the filing of a case, the case must be randomly assigned to a court authorized to preside over the case. The judge of the originally assigned court is responsible for the case, absent an official transfer of the case to another court. A bench exchange is not a transfer. A bench exchange is available at the discretion of the judge of the originally assigned court, but the judge of the originally assigned court must maintain responsibility for the case.

b. Judges may be assigned in the manner provided by Chapter 74 of the Texas Government Code to hold court when:

(1) the regular judge of the court is absent or is disabled, recuses himself, or is recused under the provisions of Rule 18a, T.R.C.P., or is disqualified for any cause;

(2) the regular judge of the court is present and is trying cases as authorized by the constitution and laws of this State; or

(3) the office of the judge is vacant because of death, resignation, or other cause.

c. A Presiding Judge from time to time shall assign the judges of the administrative region, including qualified retired appellate judges, to hold special or regular terms of court in any county of the administrative region to try cases and dispose of accumulated business.

d. The Presiding Judge of one administrative region may request the Presiding Judge of another administrative region to furnish judges to aid in the disposition of litigation pending in a court in the administrative region of the Presiding Judge who makes the request.

e. In addition to the assignment of judges by the Presiding Judges as authorized by Chapter 74 of the Texas Government Code, the Chief Justice may assign judges of one or more administrative regions for service in other administrative regions when he considers the assignment necessary to the prompt and efficient administration of justice. A judge assigned by the Chief Justice shall perform the same duties and functions that the judge would perform if he were assigned by the Presiding Judge.