Me. Rev. Stat. » Title 4
Maine Revised Statutes

Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 4, § 1 (2026)

Constitution of the court; administrative responsibilities of the court and the Chief Justice

✓ current as of May 2026
Find cases: SyfertCases citing this section ME-LEGlegislature.maine.gov JustiaTitle on Justia CornellLII Search CasesGoogle Scholar
The Supreme Judicial Court, as heretofore established, consists of a Chief Justice and 6 associate justices and such Active Retired Justices as may be appointed and serving on said court, learned in the law and of sobriety of manners.   [PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. QQ, §1 (AMD).]
The Chief Justice is the head of the judicial branch of the State. In the event of the Chief Justice's disability for any cause, the senior associate, not under disability, shall perform any and all of the duties of the Chief Justice.   [PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. QQ, §1 (AMD).]
The Supreme Judicial Court has general administrative and supervisory authority over the judicial branch and shall make and promulgate rules, regulations and orders governing the administration of the judicial branch.   [PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. QQ, §1 (AMD).]
The Chief Justice, as head of the judicial branch, shall prepare the budget for the judicial branch. The Chief Justice may approve financial orders for transfers and revisions of and increases to allotment within the judicial branch in accordance with procedures for financial orders established in the executive branch. The Chief Justice shall provide a copy of each approved financial order to the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of the Budget and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review.   [PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. W, §1 (AMD).]
The Chief Justice, as the head of the judicial branch, shall, in accordance with the rules, regulations and orders of the Supreme Judicial Court, be responsible for the efficient operation of the judicial branch and for the expeditious dispatch of litigation therein and for the proper conduct of business in all courts. The Chief Justice may require reports from all courts in the State and may issue orders and regulations necessary for the efficient operation of the judicial branch and the prompt and proper administration of justice.   [PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. QQ, §1 (AMD).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1975, c. 408, §1 (RPR). PL 1975, c. 623, §§3-A (AMD). PL 2009, c. 213, Pt. QQ, §1 (AMD). PL 2011, c. 655, Pt. W, §1 (AMD).
The Revisor's Office cannot provide legal advice or interpretation of Maine law to the public.
If you need legal advice, please consult a qualified attorney.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10 cases, 1980–2020 · leading case: The Bank of New York Mellon v. Danielle Shone, 2020 ME 122 (Me. 2020).
Sort: Relevance Newest Treatment
The Bank of New York Mellon v. Danielle Shone, 2020 ME 122 (Me. 2020). · cites it 2× “See 4 M.R.S. §§ 1, 8, 9-A, 51 (2020). [¶63] By concluding that the proponent need present evidence only that the receiving entity received, verified, and relied on a record generated by the originating entity, see Court’s Opinion ¶ 30, the Court effectively eliminates the…”
In Re Dunleavy, 2003 ME 124 (Me. 2003). · cites it 2× “It is not a provision that applies only to candidates for judicial office in contrast to other offices.”
Matter of Ross, 428 A.2d 858 (Me. 1981). “In pertinent part, 4 M.R.S.A. § 1 provides: The Supreme Judicial Court shall have general administrative and supervisory authority over the judicial department and shall make and promulgate rules, regulations and orders governing the administration of the judicial department.”
In the Matter of Robert M.A. Nadeau, 2017 ME 121 (Me. 2017). “[¶ 41] While the State court system has an institutional structure that allows its judges, including the Chief Justice, the Supreme Judicial Court, the trial court chiefs, and regional judges, to speak broadly of court needs, see 4 M.R.S. §§ 1, 101-A, 157(1)(B) (2016);…”
Matter of Benoit, 487 A.2d 1158 (Me. 1985). “By enacting 4 M.R.S.A. § 1 (1979), the legislature has recognized the inherent power of the Supreme Judicial Court to regulate the judiciary.”
York Register of Prob. v. York Cnty. Prob. Court, 847 A.2d 395 (Me. 2004). “4 M.R.S.A. § 1 (1989) (“The Supreme Judicial Court shall have general administrative and supervisory authority over the Judicial Department.”
In re Nadeau, 914 A.2d 714 (Me. 2007). “[¶ 8] The Court’s regulatory control over the State’s judiciary has been codified in 4 M.R.S. § 1 (2006), which provides in relevant part: The Supreme Judicial Court shall have general administrative and supervisory authority over the Judicial Department and shall make and…”
Hart v. Cnty. of Sagadahoc, 609 A.2d 282 (Me. 1992). “See 4 M.R.S.A. §§ 1, 7 to 9-A (1989). In addition, the state is responsible for the discipline of probate judges.”
Mitchell v. Jud. Ethics Comm., 2000 ME 83 (Me. 2000). · cites it 2× “The Legislature recognized this power in 4 M.R.S.A. § 1, which provides in relevant part: The Supreme Judicial Court shall have general administrative and supervisory authority over the judicial department and shall make and promulgate rules, regulations and orders governing the…”
Opinion of the Justices, 412 A.2d 958 (Me. 1980). “See 4 M.R.S.A. § 1 (1979). It would thereby establish a different system.”
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.