The Supreme Court of Georgia could soon decide the fate of several lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the Legislature's enactment of a bill that created a new judicial circuit by splitting an existing one.

With all but Justices John J. Ellington and Shawn E. LaGrua unmasked, the fully vaccinated nine-member high court panel gathered in person Tuesday for oral arguments surrounding the creation of the Columbia Judicial Circuit by splitting Columbia County from the existing Augusta Judicial Circuit under Senate Bill 9. Following the split, the Augusta Judicial Circuit consists of Richmond and Burke counties.