The last time the Georgia Supreme Court changed its chief justice, the departing one and the incoming one were the same age. Chief Justice Hugh Thompson was 73 when he retired, the same age as Chief Justice P. Harris Hines when he took on the role in January 2017.

The new chief justice who will be sworn in Tuesday, Harold Melton, is 23 years younger than his predecessor. Hines will turn 75 in September; Melton will turn 52.