The highest State Court is the Supreme Court of Appeals, located in Richmond. It consists of seven members: one Chief Justice and six associate justices. The Chief Justice is always the Senior Justice in years of continuous service; in case the total years of service are equaled by two or more justices, seniority is then determined by age. The term of office of the justice is twelve years, and they are elected by a joint vote of the Senate and the House of Delegates. Their sole constitutional qualification is that they must have held a "judicial station" in the United States or have practiced law in Virginia or some other state for five years previously. The annual salary of a justice of the Court of Appeals is $15,500 with the Chief Justice receiving an additional $4,500 or a salary of $20,000. When meeting in court session, the members of the Supreme Court of Appeals may sit as an entire group or may sit in two divisions consisting of not less than three justices each. By sitting in two such divisions, it is possible to hear more cases at a rapid pace. Whenever convening in this manner, each division has the full power and authority on the determination of causes, in the issuing of writs, and in the exercise of all powers authorized by the State Constitution for the Supreme Court of Appeals or provided by law. Each division is subject, however, to the general control of the Supreme Court of Appeals and is subject to any rules and regulations which this court may make. Likewise, the decision of either division does not become the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeals unless concurred in by at least three judges. Any case which involves a construction of the State Constitution or of the Constitution of the United States must be decided upon by the Supreme Court of Appeals in toto and, furthermore, the assent of at least four of the judges is necessary for the court to determine that any law is or is not contrary to the State Constitution or the Constitution of the United States. If, in such a case, it is impossible for more than three of the judges to agree on the constitutional questions involved and if the case cannot be determined without passing on such questions, the case must be reheard by a full court. Whenever the judges within either division differ as to the judgment to be rendered in any cause, or whenever any judge of either division within a time and in a manner fixed by the court rules certifies that in his opinion any decision of any division of the court is in conflict with a prior decision of the court, the cause must be considered and adjudged (decreed) by the full court or at least a quorum of the full court.