Rule 25 - Review by the Supreme CourtA.Docketing.(1) The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall docket any case in which the Hearing Panel recommended a sanction or the respondent or the Director filed a notice of exceptions.(2) In cases the Hearing Panel has dismissed to which no exceptions were filed, the dismissal shall be final unless the Supreme Court orders a review within 30 days.B.Briefs, Oral Argument, and Supplemental Filings.(1) The Director and the respondent shall file briefs as directed by the Supreme Court. The Director or the respondent may request oral argument as provided in Supreme Court Rule 51.(2) If the Supreme Court desires an expansion of the record or additional findings, it shall remand the case to the Hearing Panel with appropriate directions.(3) The Supreme Court may order additional briefs or oral argument as to the entire case or specified issues.(4) Where the Hearing Panel in rendering an order, decision, or judgment, not otherwise subject to direct appeal, certifies within ten days of entry thereof that the order, decision, or judgment is of such importance to the case that immediate review should be had, the Supreme Court, in their respective discretion, may permit an appeal to be taken from the order, decision, or judgment if application is made thereto within ten days after such certificate is granted. The application shall be in the nature of a petition and shall set forth the need for such an appeal and the issue or issues involved therein. The applicant shall include citations to such parts of the record as he or she deems appropriate, and the Supreme Court shall take notice of the record of the Hearing Panel maintained by the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The application shall be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court and shall be served upon the opposing party or parties in the manner prescribed by Code Section 5-6-32, except that such service shall be perfected at or before the filing of the application. The opposing party or parties shall have ten days from the date on which the application is filed in which to file a response. The Supreme Court shall issue an order granting or denying such an appeal. An order granting the appeal shall suffice to docket the matter at the Supreme Court, and no notice of appeal shall be necessary. The appeal shall proceed as ordered by the Supreme Court and consistent with its rules.C.Notice of Additional Complaints. If during review by the Supreme Court the Director receives another complaint against the respondent, the Director shall confidentially advise the Supreme Court and the respondent.D.Decision.(1) The Supreme Court shall file a written decision dismissing the case or imposing a sanction. All decisions issued by the Supreme Court shall be published in the official Georgia Reports for the guidance of other judges and for public information.(2) The Supreme Court may accept, reject, or modify in whole or in part the findings and conclusions of the Hearing Panel.E.Notice. If the Supreme Court orders a public reprimand, the judge selected to impose such shall issue and file with the Clerk of the Supreme Court an order setting the date, time, and place for the imposition of the public reprimand and shall serve such order on the Director and the respondent or respondent's counsel at least 10 days prior to the date set.R. Judi. Qual. Commi. Ga. 25
Adopted effective 1/1/2018; amended effective 2/3/2023.