A former Mississippi chief justice will lead a group that will study the feasibility of starting a business court.

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann named more than 40 people to serve on the study group.

He chose Ed Pittman as chairman. Pittman has been chief justice of the state Supreme Court and has served as secretary of state.

Hosemann says business disputes too often get bogged down in circuit court because of a backlog of criminal cases.

Hosemann picked James Holland, Joey Diaz and Blake Wilson to serve as vice chairmen.