The Deputy Chief Judge of Mega-City One fills in for the Chief Judge when they are absent or ill. Not all Chiefs have had a Deputy Chief: the office was vacant between 2103 to 2116 and 2132 onwards. During McGruder's second reign, she would appoint a random senior Judge as acting-Chief in her absence (Barbara Hershey during Judgement Day and Greel in 2116 when she was on Hestia). In the past, they became the Chief Judge if the incumbent died but after the Volt reforms of 2117 they are only acting-Chief Judge until an election can be held.