MEMORANDUM ORDER
LOCAL RULE 97-4

       Effective immediately, the following procedures are to be followed when screening applicants for appointment or reappointment of Substitute Judges, Commissioner of Accounts, Assistant Commissioner of accounts and Commissioners in Chancery:

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN SCREENING APPLICANTS FOR APPOINTMENT OR REAPOINTMENT OF SUBSTITUTE JUDGES

1. Individual will be required to fill out an application and sign a release of credit report.
2. Must provide an affidavit under oath he/she has no pending Virginia State Bar complaints, judgments or liens.
3. The Circuit Court Judges will interview applicants.

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY PERSON APPOINTED OR REAPPOINTED AS SUBSTITUTE JUDGE

1. All substitute judges shall comply with the Canons of Judicial Conduct.
2. File with the Court each year Statement of Economic Interests; the clerk will provide copies to each Circuit Court judge.
3. Certify each year there are no pending bar complaints or law suits; if there are he/she must bring to the attention of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court immediately.
4. The Judges of the Circuit Court will investigate any allegations of misconduct made to determine if they may be true or correct and also whether it will have an impact on his/her ability to remain a substitute judge.

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN SCREENING APPLICANTS FOR COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS

1. Individual will be required to fill out an application and sign a release of credit report.
2. Certify by affidavit under oath he/she has no pending Virginia State Bar complaints, no judgments or liens.
3. The Circuit Court Judges will interview applicants.

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY PERSON SELECTED AS COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS

1. The Commissioner of Accounts shall refer to the Canons of Judicial Conduct when making the decisions concerning when to disqualify himself or herself from matters.
2. File with the court each year Statement of Economic Interests; the clerk will provide copies to each Circuit Court judge.
3. Certify each year there are no pending bar complaints or law suits; if there are he/she must bring to the attention of the Chief Judge immediately.
4. Judges of the Circuit Court will then have an investigation conducted concerning any allegations of misconduct made to determine if they are true or correct and also what impact same may have on the fitness he/she to remain Commissioner of Accounts.
5. While the investigation is pending the matters handled by the Commissioner of Accounts may be transferred to the Assistant Commissioner of Accounts. The Circuit Court Clerk will at the request of the Chief Judge refer all matters to Assistant Commissioner of Accounts until further notice of the Judges.
6. Should the Commissioner of Accounts have a conflict of interest or an appearance of impropriety in handling a matter he/she shall refer the matter to the Assistant Commissioner of Accounts. If both have conflicts or appearances of impropriety it shall be brought to the attention of the Chief Judge.

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN SCREENING APPLICANTS FOR ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS

1. Individual will be required to fill out an application and sign a release of credit report.
2. Certify by affidavit under oath he/she has no pending Virginia State Bar complaints, no judgments or liens.
3. The Circuit Court Judges will interview applicants.

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY PERSON SELECTED AS ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER OF ACCOUNTS

1. The Assistant Commissioner of Accounts shall refer to the Canons of Judicial Conduct when making decisions concerning when to disqualify himself or herself from matters.
2. File with the Court each year Statement of Economic Interests; the clerk will provide copies to each Circuit Court judge.
3. Certify each year there are no pending bar complaints or law suits; if there are he/she must bring to the attention of the Chief Judge immediately.
4. Judges of the Circuit Court will then have investigation conduct concerning any allegations of misconduct made to determine if they are true or correct and also what impact same may have on the fitness of he/she to remain Assistant Commissioner of Accounts.
5. While the investigation is pending the matters handled by the Assistant Commissioner of Accounts may be transferred to the Commissioner of Accounts. The Circuit Court Clerk at the request of the Chief Judge will refer all additional matters handled by Assistant Commissioner of Accounts to the Commissioner of Accounts until further notice of the Judges.
6. Should the Assistant Commissioner of Accounts have a conflict of interest or an appearance of impropriety in handling a matter he/she shall refer the matter to the Commissioner of Accounts.

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED WHEN SCREENING APPLICANTS FOR COMMISSIONER IN CHANCERY

1. Individual will be required to fill out an application and sign a release of credit report.
2. Must provide an affidavit under oath he/she has no pending Virginia State Bar complaints, judgments or liens.
3. The Circuit Cout Judges will interview applicants.

PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY PERSON SELECTED AS COMMISSIONER IN CHANCERY

1. The Commissioner in Chancery shall refer to the Canons of Judicial Conduct when making the decisions concerning when to disqualify himself or herself from matters.
2. File with the Court each year Statement of Economic Interests; the clerk will provide copies to each Circuit Court judge.
3. Certify each year there are no pending bar complaints or law suits; if there are he/she must bring to the attention of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court immediately.
4. The Judges of the Circuit Court will have an investigation conducted concerning any allegations of misconduct made to determine if they may be true or correct and also whether it will have an impact on his/her ability to remain a Commissioner in Chancery.
5. File with the Court evidence that malpractice insurance is current.

      Pursuant to Rule 1:15, the original of the Memorandum Order shall forthwith be spread upon the Order Book and an attested copy of same shall be (1) posted in the Clerk's Office, (2) filed with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, and (3) furnished to all the Court's appointees.

      Entered this 16^th day of May, 1997.