Number of justices -- Terms -- Chief justice and associate chief justice -- Selection and functions.
Utah Code § 78A-3-101
in effect78A-3-101. Number of justices -- Terms -- Chief justice and associate chief justice -- Selection and functions.
(1) The Supreme Court consists of seven justices.
(2)
(a) A justice of the Supreme Court is appointed initially to serve until the first general election held more than three years after the effective date of the appointment.
(b) After the first term of appointment under Subsection (2)(a), the term of office of a justice of the Supreme Court is 10 years and commences on the first Monday in January following the date of election.
(3)
(a) Upon any vacancy in the office of chief justice, including expiration of a term of the office of chief justice, or upon a chief justice's death, removal, or resignation, the governor shall appoint a chief justice from among the members of the Supreme Court, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
(b) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(c), the term of the office of chief justice is eight years.
(c)
(i) For a chief justice whose term of office began on April 1, 2024, the term of the office of the chief justice is four years.
(ii) The term of the office of chief justice expires on April 1, 2028, for any chief justice who is elected to serve by the justices of the Supreme Court before October 14, 2025.
(d) On and after October 14, 2025, a member of the Supreme Court may not serve as chief justice for more than one term.
(e) The chief justice may resign from the office of chief justice without resigning from the Supreme Court.
(f) The chief justice may be removed from the office of chief justice by a majority vote of all justices of the Supreme Court.
(g) The chief justice shall receive the sum of $2,000 per annum as additional compensation for the period served as chief justice.
(4)
(a) If a chief justice has not been appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate within 30 days of a vacancy in that office, the associate chief justice shall act as interim chief justice until a chief justice is appointed and confirmed under this section.
(b) If the associate chief justice is unable or unwilling to act as interim chief justice as described in Subsection (4)(a), the most senior justice shall act as interim chief justice until a chief justice is appointed and confirmed under this section.
(5) In addition to the chief justice's duties as a member of the Supreme Court, the chief justice has duties as provided by law.
(6)
(a) There is created the office of associate chief justice.
(b) The associate chief justice is elected by a majority vote of the members of the Supreme Court.
(c) The term of office of the associate chief justice is two years.
(d) The chief justice may:
(i) determine the allocated duties of the associate chief justice; and
(ii) delegate responsibilities to the associate chief justice as consistent with law.
(e) If the chief justice is absent or otherwise unable to serve, the associate chief justice shall perform the duties of the office of the chief justice until the chief justice is no longer absent or unable to serve.
(f) The associate chief justice shall receive the sum of $1,000 per annum for the period served as associate chief justice.
Amended by Chapter 10, 2026 General Session
Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title78A/Chapter3/78A-3-S101.html?v=C78A-3-S101_2026013120260131Fetched: 10/26/2026