Section 12-3-17
Decision of cases in event of absence or disqualification of judge or judges.
In the absence of a judge of either of the courts of appeals or in case of the disqualification of a judge, a majority can hold court and decide cases and announce the result when concurred in by them. In the event the remaining judges are equally divided as to the decision, or the court is reduced to less than a majority, the fact must be certified to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and he shall appoint a justice or justices of that court to sit with the divided members to consider and decide said case, or, if the entire court is disqualified, the appointed justice shall consider and decide the case.
(Acts 1969, No. 987, p. 1744, §13.)