... with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. in place

[GoodTaste]

At the end of the first full Supreme Court term with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. in place, liberal Justice Stephen G. Breyer said he was amazed — and not in a particularly good way — what President George W. Bush’s nominees to the bench had accomplished.

What does "in place" mean？ Does it mean "In the appropriate or usual position or order" here?

Source: WashingtonPost

 

[Skrej]

I can't read that article without subscribing. Can you copy and paste the excerpt you're asking about?

 

[GoodTaste]

I've immediately added the content after posting.
Refresh the page and read again.

 

[Skrej]

It means those two new (at the time) judges had taken their place on the court. It was the end of the first full term with those two judges presiding.

You can read 'in place' as 'in position'.