Supreme Court of Missouri
en banc

In re:

Repeal of subdivision 5.04, entitled "Disciplinary Hearing Panels -- Officers -- Appointment - Reassignment," of Supreme Court Rule 5, entitled "Complaints and Proceedings Thereon," and in lieu thereof adoption of a new subdivision 5.04, entitled "Disciplinary Hearing Panels -- Officers -- Appointment - Reassignment."

1.  It is ordered that effective January 1, 2000, subdivision 5.04 of Supreme Court Rule 5 be and the same is hereby repealed and a new subdivision 5.04 adopted in lieu thereof to read as follows:

5.04  DISCIPLINARY HEARING PANELS - OFFICERS -        
         APPOINTMENT - REASSIGNMENT

This Court shall appoint a minimum of twenty-four lawyers and twelve nonlawyers as disciplinary hearing officers.  The qualifications, terms, and reimbursement of a disciplinary hearing officer shall be the same as for a member of the advisory committee.  In addition, each member of the advisory committee shall be a disciplinary hearing officer. 

The chair of the advisory committee shall appoint a three-member disciplinary hearing panel to hear each matter for which an information is filed.  Each panel shall consist of two lawyers, one of whom shall be designated as the presiding officer, and one nonlawyer.  The chair of the advisory committee may reassign or replace disciplinary hearing officers as may be necessary. 

Before commencing duties as a disciplinary hearing officer, the officer shall take an oath to support the constitution of the United States and this state and to perform the officer's duties fairly and impartially.  Members of the advisory committee need not take an oath in addition to that prescribed in Rule 5.01.

2.  It is ordered that notice of this order be published in the Journal of The Missouri Bar.

3.  It is ordered that this order be published in the South Western Reporter.

Day - to - Day

______________________________
WILLIAM RAY PRICE, JR.
Chief Justice