On what point of law were they making a decision? What case? What court? What jurisdiction did they have on the particular case? Who submited the specific case upon which these judges just ruled? Upon what grounds did they make their judgement?
Alabama law provides that the Chief Judge can make rules governing the operation of the Courthouse, and that a majority of the court can modify those rules. It was that procedure which was used. Attorney General Pryor was the one who came up with this plan.