Function. It is designed to operate with nine justices as every member of the extreme case occurred when the justice resigned from the courts so his son ramsey would not have to face the issue but it demonstrates powerfully. But i really do think the justices should wrestle with a and embark on a course of conduct that eliminates this entirely. Because of financial interest. If one becomes the justice of the court then i think there is a deal. It is the implicit deal to order the Financial Affairs to conduct yourself as a justice and do your duty. There may come in times with one death in the family there may be a process but i would hope the justices would move to a system since they are not subject to the code of judicial conduct that has no authority over the Supreme Court of the United States so self regulation or heaven Forbid Congress getting into the session that you will decide every case of less you have the of a decade in or tom clark type of issue. Even if this is in the bud