Governor Brian Kemp will have to appoint a new judge to serve in the Tallapoosa Circuit Superior Court in the coming days after it was confirmed Meng Lim is resigning from his position on the court.

According to several sources with knowledge of the situation who wished for anonymity since it hasn’t been officially announced, they confirmed the rumors going around that Lim is turning in his resignation.

Lim, who has served on the bench since 2015 and has been in past years the Chief Judge of the circuit, is stepping down but the timeline of which he is leaving remains in question.

His resignation goes directly to Governor Brian Kemp, who can then appoint anyone to fill the remaining time in the seat, which would expire at the end of the year.

Lim, who was elected in 2014, stepped down after voters in the May primary decided to go with local judge and attorney Andrew Roper to take over the Superior Court seat representing the two counties. Roper’s term is set to start in January 2023.

Several officials from the courthouse reported the rumors circulating in offices today in Haralson and Polk that Lim was leaving as the new fiscal year begins for the State of Georgia.

Lim has faced challenges in recent years including arrest on domestic violence charges that were later thrown out by a Haralson County Grand Jury, and charges that so far remain open from the state Judicial Qualification Commisssion.

He served nearly two full terms in office, and would have closed out his time in late December.

No announcement has yet been made by the Governors office on the matter so far.

Roper could either be his immediate replacement if Gov. Kemp decides to appoint him in the final months of the term, or would have to wait until January 1 to take his oath. If the latter were the case, it is unknown who Kemp might appoint or how that would impact the budget or court calendar for the Superior Court at the moment.

The Tallapoosa Circuit in recent months as they seek to catch up from delays caused by COVID-19 have utilized senior judges to take on cases, but the amount they can undertake is limited by the budget in place for the judges who come into serve and courtroom staff and space.