(a) At the time of the filing of a notice of retirement under the Judges’ Retirement Law to be effective after 6912 years of age but before the end of the term of office during which the judge attains 70 years of age, a judge may apply to the chairperson of the Judicial Council for senior judge status.
(b) A retired judge who retired under the Judges’ Retirement Law before July 1, 1985, and who has attained 60 years of age, may apply to the Chairperson of the Judicial Council for senior judge status.
(c) A judge who has left office at 60 years of age or older on or after July 1, 1985, and who has 20 years or more of retirement service credit under the Judges’ Retirement Law, may apply to the Chairperson of the Judicial Council for senior judge status.
(d) A judge serving on senior judge status shall serve full time as assigned for up to five consecutive years and by accepting that status waives the right to refuse any assignment as otherwise provided by law. A judge who elects to retire under this section is deemed retired, and the judicial office from which the judge retired shall become vacant and a successor shall then be appointed to fill the vacancy.