Rule 5 - JUDICIAL SERVICE BY RETIRED AND FORMER JUDGES5.1 Definitions: a. A "retired" judge is a judge who served as a district, appellate court, or statutory county court judge and is receiving an annuity under the judge's respective retirement system.b. A "senior" judge is a retired district or appellate court judge who served for at least 96 months and has elected to be a judicial officer under Section 75.001.c. A "former" judge is a person who served as an active judge in a district, statutory county, statutory probate, or appellate court for at least 96 months and is not yet retired.5.2 Pursuant to Section 74.055(a), the Presiding Judge is required to maintain a list of qualified retired and former judges eligible to sit by assignment in the Region.5.3 Qualified retired and former judges may elect to serve as judicial officers eligible for assignment pursuant to Chapters 74 and 75. The statutory requirements are detailed in Section 74.055(c) and include the certification to the Presiding Judge of a willingness not to appear and plead as an attorney in any court in this state for a period of two years and compliance with annual continuing judicial education requirements.5.4 The Section 74.055(a) list of retired and former judges shall include the areas of expertise (criminal, civil, or family) for each eligible judge. Although a judge may qualify for assignment in more than one area of expertise, a judge may not be assigned to a case or docket outside the judge's listed area(s) of expertise,5.5 Retired and former judges must certify annually their continued eligibility for judicial assignment on the form provided by the Region.Tex. 1st. Admin. Jud. Reg. L. R. 5