QUICK SHEET · CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERATED REPUBLIC
The Judiciary
One Judicial Pool feeds every federal court. The same eligibility floor, the same nomination-and-confirmation pattern, all the way from a district bench to the Supreme Court — with a vacancy cascade that never leaves a seat empty.
§4.1 – §4.6, §9.4.a
14 provisions
14 provisions
Three Tiers, One Source
District Courts
Established by statute · trial-level jurisdiction
→
Appellate Courts
Senior judge auto-fills any SC vacancy
→
Supreme Court
9 justices · 3 staggered classes · final word
The Judicial Pool — §4.2, §9.4.a
One unified pool feeds every federal judicial appointment. Entry requires 15 years of legal practice or 10 years of judicial service, no current government position, and no disqualifying financial interest — the same floor for an inferior court nominee and a Supreme Court nominee alike. The Elections Panel administers it; the JM audits it; the pool is publicly accessible on the NRS at all times.
Inferior Court Judge
CC nominates → Senate confirms 2/3 → 12-year term
Supreme Court Justice
CC nominates → Senate confirms 2/3 (120 days) → 12-year term
When a Supreme Court Seat Opens Unexpectedly — §4.4, §4.4.a
STAGE 1 · 5 DAYS
Auto-Designation
Most senior Appellate judge becomes Temporary Associate Justice — full voting rights, no nomination needed.
→
NORMAL PATH
CC Nominates
Within 60–90 days, from the Judicial Pool. Senate must vote within 120 days — no deemed confirmation.
→
IF CC FAILS TO NOMINATE
Senate Direct Selection
CC misses the 30-day window after an LM finding of CC breach: Senate selects from the Pool directly, 2/3 vote — no further CC nomination needed.
or
IF SENATE FAILS TO CONFIRM
Public Confirmation
LM finds a Senate breach: CC + 2/3 Assembly may put the Temporary Justice on the next ballot — 60% of votes cast confirms.
How a Judge Leaves
Supreme Court Justice §4.3.a
Cause required→
Concurrent vote→
2/3 both chambers
Three grounds only: constitutional breach, certified permanent incapacity (EM + LM jointly), or disqualifying conviction. Judicial disagreement is never grounds — independence of judgment is absolute.
Inferior Court Judge §4.2
Legislative/
Judicial discipline/
Criminal
Three independent tracks: legislative removal (2/3 both chambers), SC-overseen discipline process by statute, or criminal conviction. Policy disagreement is never cause on any track.
Numbers Worth Remembering
12
years — single non-renewable term, identical for inferior court judges and SC justices alike. No reappointment, ever.
5
justices minimum to decide a constitutional question — regardless of how many seats are currently filled.
3
justices minimum to sit the emergency panel reviewing immediate defensive military authority — must rule within 48 hours.