The court was no longer impregnable; by 1982, plaintiff's lawyers had a majority on the nine-member court.

Currently, the nine-member court is made up of the following justices:

Removal requires a unanimous vote of the nine-member court.

Mr. Perpich appointed Justice Wahl to what was then a nine-member court in 1977, at a time when only four other states had women justices.

In Quebec's case, the province will be given formal authority to nominate candidates for the three positions on the nine-member court that have traditionally gone to Quebecers.

In a nine-member court, all the judges know one another and can work together smoothly and efficiently.

Four of the current members of the nine-member court were first appointed by Governor Bush to fill vacancies.

Seven justices heard the case, but decided after several months that it should be reargued and decided by a nine-member court.

A Catholic majority on the nine-member court would be a significant historical shift.