ORDER EXTENDING DECLARATION OF STATEWIDE JUDICIAL EMERGENCY

ORDER EXTENDING DECLARATION OF STATEWIDE

JUDICIAL EMERGENCY

Pursuant to OCGA § 38-3-61 , and due to the continuing statewide emergency involving the transmission of Coronavirus/COVID-19 , the Honorable Harold D. Melt on, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, does hereby extend the March 14, 2020 (amended) Order Declaring Statewide Judicial Emergency, which would have expired on April 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m., until Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at 11:59

p.m., unless otherwise further modified or extended. The Chief Justice will provide notice as to the expected termination of the Order at least one week in advance to allow courts to plan the transition to fuller operations.

With regard to matters not deemed essential functions under the Statewide Judicial Emergency Order, courts and litigants are encouraged to proceed to the extent feasible and consistent with public health guidance, for example through the use of teleconferences and videoconferences, to reduce backlogs when the judicial emergency ends.

With regard to all matters in this challenging time, all lawyers are reminded of their obligations of professionalism.

It is ordered, pursuant to OCGA § 38-3- 63, that notice and service of a copy of this Order shall immediately be sent to the judges and clerks of all courts in this State and to the clerk of the Georgia Court of Appeals, such service to be accomplished through means to assure expeditious receipt, which include electronic means; and

It is further ordered that notice shall also be sent to the media , the State Bar of Georgia, and the officials and entities listed below and shall constitute sufficient notice of the issuance of this Order to the affected

parties, counsel for the affected parties , and the public.

IT IS SO ORDERED this 6th day of April 6th, 2020.