involving the crimes of armed robbery, rape, and kidnapping wherein the death penalty has not been imposed.

may come before it; to grant judgments of affirmance or reversal, or any other order, direction, or decree required therein; and, if necessary, to make a final disposition of a case in the manner prescribed elsewhere in this Code; (3)  To grant any writ necessary to carry out any purpose of its organization or to compel any inferior tribunal or officers thereof to obey its order; (4)  To appoint its own officers and to commission any person to execute any specific order it may make; (5)  To establish, amend, and alter its own rules of practice and to regulate the admission of attorneys to the practice of law; (6)  To punish for contempt by the infliction of a fine as high as $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding ten days, or both; and (7)  To exercise such other powers, not contrary to the Constitution of this state, as given to it by law. This paragraph shall not be interpreted to abrogate the inherent power of the court.

cases: (1)  Cases involving title to land; (2)  All equity cases, except those cases concerning proceedings in which a sentence of death was imposed or could be imposed and those cases concerning the execution of a sentence of death; (3)  All cases involving wills; (4)  All cases involving extraordinary remedies, except those cases concerning proceedings in which a sentence of death was imposed or could be imposed and those cases concerning the execution of a sentence of death; (5)  All divorce and alimony cases; and (6)  All other cases not reserved to the Supreme Court or conferred on other courts;   (b)  This Code section shall not otherwise affect the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals.

this chapter shall preclude a superior court from creating or continuing an existing business court division for its circuit on or after May 7, 2019, or preclude a state court from creating or continuing an existing business court division on or after the May 7, 2019, in the manner provided by law.

and the powers of a court of equity, to the extent that such powers are exercised:(A)  Notwithstanding the amount in controversy, where equity relief is requested in claims: (i)  Arising under Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 9, the "Georgia Arbitration Code"; (ii)  Arising under Part 2 of Article 1 of Chapter 9 of Title 9, the "Georgia International Commercial Arbitration Code," for which an application may be made to a court of this state; (iii)  Arising under Article 27 of Chapter 1 of Title 10, the "Georgia Trade Secrets Act of 1990"; (iv)  Involving securities, including, but not limited to, disputes arising under Chapter 5 of Title 10, the "Georgia Uniform Securities Act of 2008"; (v)  Arising under Title 11, the "Uniform Commercial Code"; (vi)  Arising under Chapter 2 of Title 14, the "Georgia Business Corporation Code"; (vii)  Arising under Chapter 8 of Title 14, the "Uniform Partnership Act"; (viii)  Arising under Chapter 9 of Title 14, the "Georgia Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act"; (ix)  Arising under Chapter 9A of Title 14, the "Uniform Limited Partnership Act"; (x)  Arising under Chapter 11 of Title 14, the "Georgia Limited Liability Company Act"; (xi)  That relate to the internal affairs of businesses, including, but not limited to, rights or obligations between or among business participants regarding the liability or indemnity of business participants, officers, directors, managers, trustees, or partners; (xii)  Arising under federal law over which courts of this state have concurrent jurisdiction; (xiii)  Where the complaint includes a professional malpractice claim arising out of a business dispute; (xiv)  Involving tort claims between or among two or more business entities or individuals as to their business or investment activities relating to contracts, transactions, or relationships between or among such entities or individuals; (xv)  For breach of contract, fraud, or misrepresentation between businesses arising out of business transactions or relationships; (xvi)  Arising from e-commerce agreements; technology licensing agreements, including, but not limited to, software and biotechnology license agreements; or any other agreement involving the licensing of any intellectual property right, including, but not limited to, an agreement relating to patent rights; and (xvii)  Involving commercial real property; and (B)  Where damages are requested the amount in controversy shall be at least: (i)  One million dollars for claims under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph involving commercial real property; or (ii)  Five hundred thousand dollars for claims under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph not involving commercial real property; (2)  Have supplemental jurisdiction over all pending claims that are so related to the claims in cases provided for under paragraph (1) of this subsection that such pending claims form part of the same case or controversy; (3)  Punish contempt by fines not exceeding $1,000.00, by imprisonment not exceeding 20 days, or both; and (4)  Exercise such other powers, not contrary to the Constitution, as are or may be given to such a court by law;   (b)  The Georgia State-wide Business Court shall not have authority to exercise jurisdiction over claims arising under federal or state law, as applicable, involving: (1)  Physical injury inflicted upon the body of a person or death; (2)  Mental or emotional injury inflicted upon a person; (3)  Physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the body of a person; (4)  A threat of physical violence toward another person; (5)  Matters arising under Title 19; (6)  Residential landlord and tenant disputes; (7)  Foreclosures; (8)  Individual consumer claims involving a retail customer of goods or services who uses or intends to use such goods or services primarily for personal, family, or household purposes; provided, however, that this paragraph shall not be construed to preclude the court from exercising jurisdiction over mass actions or class actions involving such individual consumer claims; or (9)  Collections in matters involving a family owned farm entity as defined in Code Section 48-5-41.1 or an individual farmer.

be the "State Court of (whatever county or counties in which the court is located)."

(1)  The trial of criminal cases below the grade of felony; (2)  The trial of civil actions without regard to the amount in controversy, except those actions in which exclusive jurisdiction is vested in the superior courts; (3)  The hearing of applications for and the issuance of arrest and search warrants; (4)  The holding of courts of inquiry; (5)  The punishment of contempt by fines not exceeding $1,000.00, by imprisonment not exceeding 20 days, or both; and (6)  Review of decisions of other courts as may be provided by law;  (b)  Each state court shall have jurisdiction, within the territorial limits of the county or counties for which it was created and concurrent with other courts having such jurisdiction, over possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, in accordance with Code Sections 16-13-2 and 16-13-30.

and of administration and the repeal or revocation of the same; (3)  All controversies in relation to the right of executorship or administration; (4)  The sale and disposition of the property belonging to, and the distribution of, deceased persons' estates; (5)  The appointment and removal of guardians of minors, conservators of minors, guardians of incapacitated adults, and conservators of incapacitated adults and persons who are incompetent because of mental illness or intellectual disability; (6)  All controversies as to the right of guardianship and conservatorship, except that the probate court shall not be an appropriate court to take action under Code Section 19-7-4; (7)  The auditing and passing of returns of all executors, administrators, guardians of property, conservators, and guardians; (8)  The discharge of former sureties and the requiring of new sureties from administrators, guardians of property, conservators, and guardians; (9)  All matters as may be conferred on them by Chapter 3 of Title 37; (10)  All matters as may be conferred on them by Chapter 13 of Title 53; (11)  All other matters and things as appertain or relate to estates of deceased persons and to persons who are incompetent because of mental illness or intellectual disability; and (12)  All matters as may be conferred on them by the Constitution and laws;   (b)  In addition to the jurisdiction granted in subsection (a) of this Code section and unless otherwise provided by law, the probate courts shall have the power to carry out the following duties as assigned by specific laws: (1)  Perform county governmental administration duties; (2)  Perform duties relating to elections; (3)  Fill vacancies in public offices by appointment; (4)  Administer oaths to public officers; (5)  Accept, file, approve, and record bonds of public officers; (6)  Register and permit certain enterprises; (7)  Issue marriage licenses; (8)  Hear traffic cases; (9)  Hear cases of violations of game and fish laws; (10)  Hold criminal commitment hearings; and (11)  Perform such other judicial and ministerial functions as may be provided by law;   (c)  To assure proper administration of the court's duties, the judge of the probate court of each county shall be furnished a copy of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated and annual supplements to the Code to keep it current. The costs of such Code and maintenance thereof shall be paid by the governing authority of each such county from the county library fund, if sufficient, otherwise any additional amount required shall be paid from the general funds of the county.

of warrants and related proceedings as provided in Article 4 of Chapter 6 of Title 17, relating to bonds for good behavior and bonds to keep the peace; (3)  The holding of courts of inquiry; (4)  The trial of charges of violations of county ordinances and penal ordinances of state authorities; (5)  The trial of civil claims including garnishment and attachment in which exclusive jurisdiction is not vested in the superior court and the amount demanded or the value of the property claimed does not exceed $15,000.00, provided that no prejudgment attachment may be granted; (6)  The issuance of summons, trial of issues, and issuance of writs and judgments in dispossessory proceedings and distress warrant proceedings as provided in Articles 3 and 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 44; (7)  The punishment of contempts by fine not exceeding $200.00 or by imprisonment not exceeding ten days or both; (8)  The administration of any oath which is not required by law to be administered by some other officer; (9)  The granting of bail in all cases where the granting of bail is not exclusively committed to some other court or officer; (10)  The issuing of subpoenas to compel attendance of witnesses in the magistrate court and subpoenas for the production of documentary evidence before the magistrate court; (11)  Such other matters as are committed to their jurisdiction by other general laws; (12)  The trial and sentencing of misdemeanor violations of Code Section 16-9-20, relating to criminal issuance of bad checks, as provided by Article 10 of this chapter; (13)  The execution or subscribing and the acceptance of written waivers of extradition in the same manner provided for in Code Section 17-13-46; (14)  The trial and sentencing of misdemeanor violations of other Code sections as provided by Article 13 of this chapter; (15)  The foreclosure of liens on animals as established in Title 4; (16)  The foreclosure of liens on abandoned mobile homes as established in Article 6 of Chapter 7 of Title 44; and (17)  The foreclosure of liens on abandoned motor vehicles as established in Article 1A of Chapter 11 of Title 40, "The Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act."

to conduct trials, receive pleas of guilty, and impose sentence upon defendants for violating any provision of Part 2, Part 3, or Part 3A of Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 16 or Code Section 32-6-51 or 40-6-248.1 that is punishable for its violation as a misdemeanor. Such jurisdiction shall be concurrent with other courts having jurisdiction over such violations;   (b)  A magistrate court shall not have the power to dispose of misdemeanor cases as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section unless the defendant shall first waive in writing a trial by jury. If the defendant does not waive a trial by jury, the defendant shall notify the court and, if reasonable cause exists, the defendant shall be immediately bound over to a court in the county having jurisdiction to try the offense wherein a jury may be impaneled.

(A)  Is alleged to be a delinquent child; (B)  Is alleged to be a child in need of services; (C)  Is alleged to be a dependent child; (D)  Is alleged to be in need of treatment or commitment as a mentally ill or developmentally disabled child; (E)  Has been placed under the supervision of the court or on probation to the court; provided, however, that such jurisdiction shall be for the purpose of completing, effectuating, and enforcing such supervision or a probation begun either prior to such child's seventeenth birthday if the order is entered as a disposition for an adjudication for delinquency or prior to such child's eighteenth birthday if the order is entered for an adjudication for a child in need of services; (F)  Has remained in foster care after such child's eighteenth birthday or who is receiving independent living services from DFCS after such child's eighteenth birthday; provided, however, that such jurisdiction shall be for the purpose of reviewing the status of such child and the services being provided to such child as a result of such child's independent living plan or status as a child in foster care; or (G)  Requires a comprehensive services plan in accordance with Code Section 15-11-658;   (2)  Concerning any individual under the age of 17 years alleged to have committed a juvenile traffic offense as defined in Code Section 15-11-630; or .  (3)  Involving any proceedings: (A)  For obtaining judicial consent to the marriage, employment, or enlistment in the armed services of any child if such consent is required by law; (B)  For permanent guardianship brought pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 of this chapter; (C)  Under Chapter 4B of Title 49, the Interstate Compact for Juveniles, or any comparable law, enacted or adopted in this state; (D)  For the termination of the legal parent-child relationship and the rights of the biological father who is not the legal father of the child in accordance with Article 4 of this chapter; provided, however, that such jurisdiction shall not affect the superior court's exclusive jurisdiction to terminate the legal parent-child relationship and the rights of a biological father who is not the legal father of the child as set forth in Chapters 6 through 9 of Title 19; (E)  For emancipation brought pursuant to the provisions of Article 10 of this chapter; (F)  Under Article 8 of this chapter, relating to prior notice to a parent, guardian, or legal custodian relative to an unemancipated minor's decision to seek an abortion; or (G)  Brought by a local board of education pursuant to Code Section 20-2-766.1, relating to court orders requiring that a parent, guardian, or legal custodian attend a conference or participate in programs or treatment to improve a student's behavior.

by proper order of the superior court; (3)  The issue of custody and support when the issue is transferred by proper order of the superior court; provided, however, that if a demand for a jury trial as to support has been properly filed by either parent, then the case shall be transferred to superior court for the jury trial; (4)  Any petition for the establishment or termination of a temporary guardianship transferred to the court by proper order of the probate court; and (5)  Any criminal case transferred to the court pursuant to subsection (d) of Code Section 15-11-15.

court as may from time to time be established by law.

disability of the chief justice, the judge having the period of longest total service upon the court shall be the acting chief justice. If any member of the court shall be unable, by reason of illness, disability or disqualification, to hear, consider and decide a cause or causes, the chief justice or the acting chief justice may direct any judge of any court of appeals to sit with the judges of the supreme court in the place and stead of the absent judge. A majority of the Supreme Court shall be necessary to constitute a quorum or to render a judgment. (B)(1) The Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction in the following: (a) Quo warranto; (b)Mandamus; (c) Habeas corpus; (d) Prohibition; (e) Procedendo; (f) In any cause on review as may be necessary to its complete determination; g) Admission to the practice of law, the discipline of persons so admitted, and all other matters relating to the practice of law. 2) The supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction as follows: (a) In appeals from the courts of appeals as a matter of right in the following: (i) Cases originating in the courts of appeals; (ii) Cases in which the death penalty has been affirmed; (iii) Cases involving questions arising under the constitution of the United States or of this state. (b) In appeals from the courts of appeals in cases of felony on leave first obtained, (c) In direct appeals from the courts of common pleas or other courts of record inferior to the court of appeals as a matter of right in cases in which the death penalty has been imposed; (d) Such revisory jurisdiction of the proceedings of administrative officers or agencies as may be conferred by law; (e) In cases of public or great general interest, the supreme court may direct any court of appeals to certify its record to the supreme court, and may review and affirm, modify, or reverse the judgment of the court of appeals; (f) The Supreme Court shall review and affirm, modify, or reverse the judgment in any case certified by any court of appeals pursuant to section 3(B)(4) of this article.(3) No law shall be passed or rule made whereby any person shall be prevented from invoking the original jurisdiction of the supreme court. (C) The decisions in all cases in the Supreme Court shall be reported, together with the reasons therefor.

common pleas or a division thereof may temporarily hold court in any county. In the interests of the fair, impartial, speedy, and sure administration of justice, each county shall have one or more resident judges, or two or more counties may be combined into districts having one or more judges resident in the district and serving the common pleas courts of all counties in the district, as may be provided by law. Judges serving a district shall sit in each county in the district as the business of the court requires. In counties or districts having more than one judge of the court of common pleas, the judges shall select one of their number to act as presiding judge, to serve at their pleasure. If the judges are unable because of equal division of the vote to make such selection, the judge having the longest total service on the court of common pleas shall serve as presiding judge until selection is made by vote. The presiding judge shall have such duties and exercise such powers as are prescribed by rule of the supreme court.

(B) The courts of common pleas and divisions thereof shall have such original jurisdiction over all justiciable matters and such powers of review of proceedings of administrative officers and agencies as may be provided by law.

(C) Unless otherwise provided by law, there shall be a probate division and such other divisions of the courts of common pleas as may be provided by law. Judges shall be elected specifically to such probate division and to such other divisions. The judges of the probate division shall be empowered to employ and control the clerks, employees, deputies, and referees of such probate division of the common pleas courts.

increasing the number of judges in any district wherein the volume of business may require such additional judge or judges. In districts having additional judges, three judges shall participate in the hearing and disposition of each case. The court shall hold sessions in each county of the district as the necessity arises. The county commissioners of each county shall provide a proper and convenient place for the court of appeals to hold court.

(B) (1) The courts of appeals shall have original jurisdiction in the following:

(a) Quo warranto;

(b) Mandamus;

(c) Habeas corpus;

(d) Prohibition;

(e) Procedendo;

(f) In any cause on review as may be necessary to its complete determination.

(2) Courts of appeals shall have such jurisdiction as may be provided by law to review and affirm, modify, or reverse judgments or final orders of the courts of record inferior to the court of appeals within the district, except that courts of appeals shall not have jurisdiction to review on direct appeal a judgment that imposes a sentence of death. Courts of appeals shall have such appellate jurisdiction as may be provided by law to review and affirm, modify, or reverse final orders or actions of administrative officers or agencies.

(3) A majority of the judges hearing the cause shall be necessary to render a judgment. Judgments of the courts of appeals are final except as provided in section 2(B) (2) of this article. No judgment resulting from a trial by jury shall be reversed on the weight of the evidence except by the concurrence of all three judges hearing the cause.

(4) Whenever the judges of a court of appeals find that a judgment upon which they have agreed is in conflict with a judgment pronounced upon the same question by any other court of appeals of the state, the judges shall certify the record of the case to the supreme court for review and final determination.

(C) Laws may be passed providing for the reporting of cases in the courts of appeals.

modify, set aside, or reverse judgments or final orders of courts of record inferior to the court of appeals within the district, including the finding, order, or judgment of a juvenile court that a child is delinquent, neglected, abused, or dependent, for prejudicial error committed by such lower court.

The court, on good cause shown, may issue writs of supersedeas in any case, and all other writs, not specially provided for or prohibited by statute, necessary to enforce the administration of justice.