(a)The Southwest Intertribal Court of Appeals is a court of limited jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is granted expressly by participating pueblo and tribal governments in resolutions and protocols on file with each respective government and the Southwest Intertribal Court of Appeals.
(b) The Southwest Intertribal Court of Appeals shall consist of a chief judge and all duly selected judges.
(c) The chief judge shall be elected annually from the members of the Standing Administrative Committee who serve as judges for a pueblo or tribe.
(d) A single judge appellate panel shall hear and decide each appeal unless the appellate chief judge determines that a multiple judge panel is appropriate or a tribal resolution requires a multiple judge panel. A multiple judge appellate panel shall select a presiding appellate judge as soon as possible after appointment and shall decide the case by majority vote.
(e) Judges shall avoid conflicts of interest and provide an impartial and independent review of the complete record and file in each case.