State Courts Guide New Hampshire

State High Court & Judicial Nominating Commission	Composition & Terms of Judicial Nominating Commission*	Judicial Selection Process	Source of Commission’s Authority
New Hampshire Supreme Court New Hampshire Judicial Selection Commission	9-11 members**: All appointed by the Governor Terms: 3 years (non-staggered)	General Commission submits a list of names of qualified persons to the Governor from which the Governor may choose one. The Governor nominates and appoints Supreme Court Justices. The majority of the Executive Council is required to approve the Governor’s nominee to confirm the nomination. Interim Vacancies Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of a Supreme Court justice, a Superior Court justice, or a Circuit court judge, the Governor shall forthwith notify the chair of the Commission of the vacancy. The Commission shall proceed to recommend to the Governor the names of qualified persons for each vacancy in accordance with a schedule provided by the Governor. Whenever the Governor nominates a person to any vacancy occurring in the office of a Supreme Court justice, a Superior Court justice, or a Circuit Court judge, the Governor shall do so from the list of names of qualified persons submitted by the Commission. The Governor may from time to time request the Commission to engage in a further search for qualified applicants.	New Hampshire CONST. art. LXXIII New Hampshire CONST. art. XLVI Exec. Order 2013-06

State High Court & Judicial Nominating Commission

Composition & Terms of Judicial Nominating Commission*

Judicial Selection Process

Source of Commission’s Authority

9-11 members**:

Terms: 3 years (non-staggered)

General

Commission submits a list of names of qualified persons to the Governor from which the Governor may choose one.
The Governor nominates and appoints Supreme Court Justices.
The majority of the Executive Council is required to approve the Governor’s nominee to confirm the nomination.

Interim Vacancies

Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of a Supreme Court justice, a Superior Court justice, or a Circuit court judge, the Governor shall forthwith notify the chair of the Commission of the vacancy. The Commission shall proceed to recommend to the Governor the names of qualified persons for each vacancy in accordance with a schedule provided by the Governor.
Whenever the Governor nominates a person to any vacancy occurring in the office of a Supreme Court justice, a Superior Court justice, or a Circuit Court judge, the Governor shall do so from the list of names of qualified persons submitted by the Commission. The Governor may from time to time request the Commission to engage in a further search for qualified applicants.

* Commission established pursuant to Executive Order

Percentage of Lawyers on the Nominating Commission

Who Selects the Nominating Commissioners?

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