W. Va. Code § 50-1-7

The judge of the circuit court, or the chief judge thereof if there is more than one judge of the circuit court, may appoint one of the magistrates, to serve at the will and pleasure of such circuit court judge, as the chief magistrate of the county. The chief magistrate, if there is one, shall be responsible for all of the administrative functions required of the magistrate court in each county by this code and as required by rules and regulations of the Supreme Court of Appeals. These functions shall include, but not be limited to, supervising the circuit clerk or magistrate court clerk in the establishment and maintenance of a centralized docketing system, submitting all reports required by law and promptly notifying such circuit court judge that additional magistrates are required to handle the cases then pending in the magistrate court of said county. Chief magistrates shall have the additional duties of acting as liaison between the magistrate court and the judge of the circuit court, or the chief judge thereof if there is more than one judge of the circuit court, and such other additional duties as may be assigned by such judge.