 A five-justice panel determines how appeals to the Montana Supreme Court are reviewed by the court, such as for full oral argument before the court sitting "en banc", or to be decided purely on the briefs submitted to either the court "en banc" or to a five-justice panel.The court’s annual calendar was previously divided into four terms, but legislation effective January 6, 2006 changed this to one term, beginning on January 1 of each year.The Chief Justice may also call a special term at any time.