ATLANTA (AP) — The State Supreme Court has named judge Hugh Thompson as its new chief justice.

Georgia Supreme Court spokeswoman Jane Hansen says Thompson — who serves at the court's presiding justice — will be sworn in Thursday afternoon.

Thompson, of Milledgeville, will be sworn in by former Gov. Zell Miller. Before being appointed to the state Supreme Court in 1994, Thompson served as superior court judge in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, which spans eight counties. He was appointed to that position in 1979.

Officials say P. Harris Hines will be appointed to serve as the state Supreme Court's new presiding justice.

Hansen says Gov. Nathan Deal, six living former Georgia Supreme Court chief justices and additional state lawmakers are expected to attend the ceremony.