(a)  There is established in the state of Rhode Island a workers’ compensation court consisting of a chief judge and nine (9) associate judges having the jurisdiction that may be necessary to carry out its duties under the provisions of the workers’ compensation act, chapters 29 — 38 of this title and the provisions of § 45-21.2-9, except those provisions of the act that establish violations of the act as crimes, offenses, or misdemeanors. The jurisdiction of those crimes, offenses, or misdemeanors shall remain in the district and superior courts as otherwise provided by law.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 28-30-1

  • Chief judge: The judge who has primary responsibility for the administration of a court but also decides cases; chief judges are determined by seniority.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • seal: shall be construed to include an impression of the seal made with or without the use of wax or wafer on the paper. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-15
  • Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.

(b)  The court shall be a court of record with the same authority and power to subpoena and also the same authority and power to cite and punish for civil contempt as exist in the superior court. The court shall have a seal, and the members, administrator, deputy administrator, and assistant clerks of the court shall have the authority and power to administer oaths and affirmations.

History of Section.
G.L. 1938, ch. 300, art. 3, § 3; P.L. 1954, ch. 3297, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 28-30-1; P.L. 1965, ch. 93, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 28, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 507, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 132, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 205, § 3; P.L. 1994, ch. 42, § 6; P.L. 2011, ch. 151, art. 12, § 4.