Rule 39 - Assignment to Specific Judges (a)Circuit Court-District Division (1)Special Assignments. The administrative judge of the circuit court may specially assign a case to a specific judge. (2)Motion for Special Assignment. If an attorney of record seeks a special assignment to a judge, a motion for special assignment shall be filed. The motion shall set forth the grounds justifying the request and shall state whether or not counsel of record join in or object to the motion. Thereafter, the administrative judge of the circuit court shall rule on the motion. (b)Superior Court (1)Complex Cases. Those cases that are of a complex nature, or are potentially of prolonged duration, may be assigned to a specific judge by the chief justice of the superior court sua sponte, or upon a motion for special assignment filed by any party. A party seeking special assignment shall file a motion setting forth the grounds justifying the request and shall state whether or not counsel of record join in or object to the motion. Thereafter, the chief justice shall rule on the motion. (2)Assigned Docketing. In the event that the case is brought in a superior court which uses a system of assigned docketing, the clerk shall assign the case to a particular judge. Adopted effective 1/1/2016 in Strafford and Cheshire counties and 7/1/2016 in Belknap County.Comment
Rule 17 (a) derivesion Company, 105 N.H. 25 (1963).