The presiding justice of the superior court shall appoint four (4) general assistant clerks, who shall hold office until removed by the presiding justice. Each of the general assistant clerks may be designated by the presiding justice for service in assisting any of the clerks of the superior court for the several counties throughout the state. When so designated, that general assistant clerk shall aid the clerk of the county or counties where he or she shall be so designated and any act done by him or her, under direction of the clerk of the county, in the line of duty of the clerk, shall have the same force and effect as though done by the clerk; each general assistant clerk shall have the authority in any county to administer oaths to parties, witnesses, and others, as required in the conduct of the proceedings of the court. The general assistant clerks may be advanced to the rank of deputy clerk by appointment of the presiding justice of the superior court and may in their capacities as deputy clerks be designated by the presiding justice for service in assisting any of the clerks of the superior court for the several counties throughout the state and may discharge all of the duties which could be performed by the clerk of the superior court for any county.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-4-21