The Court of Appeals of Georgia is a court of review.  It exercises appellate and certiorari jurisdiction in all cases not reserved to the Supreme court or conferred on other courts of law.  It is not an intermediate court such as exists in most states. Rather, this Court may be described as a court of final jurisdiction, subject to certiorari, with statewide original appellate jurisdiction of all cases except those involving constitutional questions, land title disputes, equity, the construction of wills, murder, election contests, habeas corpus, extraordinary remedies, divorce and alimony, and cases where original appellate jurisdiction lies with the superior courts. The Court of Appeals may certify such legal questions as it may wish to the Supreme Court. However, certification is rarely used, and in practice the Supreme Court has limited the exercise of its right to certiorari.
 

The first sessions of the Court of Appeals were held in what had been the single courtroom located in the State Capitol building. Initially, it was used in the afternoons by the Court of Appeals and in the mornings by its brother tribunal. Later, this same courtroom continued to be used by both courts, sitting on separate days, until the State Judicial Building was completed in 1956. A report of the dedication proceedings of the present courtroom appears in 93 Ga. App. 901. The speakers properly noted the motto engraved upon the marble wall behind the bench: "Upon the integrity, wisdom and independence of the judiciary depend the sacred rights of free men." This credo was conceived and formulated by Chief Judge Jule Wimberly Felton, as documented in the memorial service for Judge Felton held June 7, 1979, and reported in 243 Georgia XXIX. In 1992, the Court of Appeals revised its motto to read: "Upon the integrity, wisdom and independence of the judiciary depend the sacred rights of free men and women." These thought provoking words have served well for many years and continue to inspire the Court of Appeals.
 

 

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