1. The district judges shall also serve as ex officio circuit judges, and in that capacity shall perform such judicial duties as may be designated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as provided in subsection 2.
2. The Chief Justice shall seek to expedite judicial business and to equalize the work of the district judges, and shall provide for the assignment of any district judge to another district court to assist a court or judge whose calendar is congested, to act for a district judge who is disqualified or unable to act, or to sit and hold court where a vacancy in the office of district judge has occurred.