For the purposes of this article the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them unless the context in which such terms are used otherwise requires:
“Department” means the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
“Judge” means the resident judge of the circuit or county court in the district where the cause is pending, or a special judge residing in the district, or the judge of the circuit or county court assigned to hold the courts of the district, or the emergency or special judge holding court in the county where the cause is pending.