R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-1-1: Composition — Effect of resignation or retirement on pending cases.

The supreme court shall consist of a chief justice and four (4) associate justices; provided, however, that whenever any justice of the supreme court shall cease to be a justice thereof by reason of resignation or retirement, the resigned or retired justice shall be eligible to exercise the function of a justice of the supreme court for the purpose of participating in rendering decisions in all causes argued to the court prior to the resignation or retirement of the justice. The provisions of this section shall be interpreted and construed liberally, for the purpose of accomplishing the purpose thereof.