(a) Any commissioner of the Superior Court, admitted to practice in this state for at least two years, who is able and willing to hear small claims, may submit his or her name to the clerk of the superior court for any small claims area in which the commissioner may have a law office or in which such commissioner is convenient and available to the litigants and counsel of the small claims area. The name shall be submitted to the Chief Court Administrator for approval to be placed on a list of available commissioners in any small claims area for hearing of small claims. The approved name shall thereupon be returned to the clerk who shall maintain a list of all approved names.
(b) Except as provided in section 52-549c , no commissioner may receive compensation or reimbursement for any expense incurred or for any services performed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and section 51-15 .