Art. 4866 Power and authority of judge ad hoc

When a regular judge can't handle a case or hearing, another judge can be brought in to fill that role temporarily. This substitute judge, called a judge ad hoc, has the exact same authority as the original judge would have had.

This means the case moves forward normally. The substitute judge can make the same decisions, issue the same rulings, and handle the case the same way the regular judge would. People involved in the case don't lose any rights or options just because a different judge is handling things. The temporary judge steps into the role completely, with full power to act on whatever matter or court date they were appointed to cover.