CONCORD – New Hampshire Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice James P. Bassett notified Governor Kelly Ayotte Tuesday that he will retire from the Supreme Court as of August 31, 2025, one year before the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Bassett has served on the Supreme Court since he was sworn in on July 19, 2012, after being nominated by then-Governor John Lynch, according to a court news release.

In his letter to Ayotte, Justice Bassett said, “It has been an honor and my great privilege to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court since 2012.  During the past 13 years, I have endeavored to serve the citizens of New Hampshire with diligence and humility.  I will miss working with fellow Justices and colleagues on the Supreme Court, and all of the dedicated members of the Judicial Branch.”

Justice Bassett will continue to participate fully as a member of the court until his retirement from the court, although he will no longer sit on the bench for oral arguments. Justice Bassett last sat for oral arguments in March.

During his time on the bench, Justice Bassett has chaired a number of Supreme Court committees and commissions, including the Access to Justice Commission for the last 6 years.

Justice Bassett heard oral arguments in both of the major school funding cases before the court, but it is unclear what happens if no decisions are made before he retires.

Court spokesman Av Harris said Bassett is pushing off interview requests until summer.

Justice Bassett practiced law in Concord for 27 years prior to his service on the Supreme Court. Prior to being appointed to the bench, Justice Bassett had an active trial practice in both state and federal courts, and frequently presented oral arguments before the Supreme Court.

For more than two decades, he served on local government boards in the town of Canterbury where he and his family have resided since 1985. Justice Bassett also volunteered and served on the board for various charitable and non-profit community organizations in Concord and throughout the state.

“Justice Bassett’s legacy is one of exceptional service to the public,” said New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon J. MacDonald.  “Prior to joining the court, Justice Bassett had spent decades in service to his community and New Hampshire’s non-profit sector.  On the court, he has not only been a highly dedicated and respected jurist, but also a tireless advocate for improvements to our justice system. His contributions have been many, and on behalf of the Supreme Court and the entire Judicial Branch, I thank him.  We all look forward to benefitting from Justice Bassett’s further contributions to our state as he enters this next chapter.”