Selya, 73, is a senior judge on the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. He has been a member of the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review since 2005, the Providence (R.I.) Journal reported Monday.

He was appointed to lead the spy court by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Jr.

Selya begins as presiding judge May 19, the newspaper said. His term on the court ends in 2012.

"I consider it an honor and a responsibility that I will take seriously," Selya was quoted as saying this week. "I certainly appreciate the confidence that it reflects ... in me, and I will do everything in my power to make sure I will justify that confidence."

The special court consists of three judges chosen from among the U.S. district courts and courts of appeals by the Supreme Court chief justice.

Selya succeeds Judge Edward Leavy, a senior judge on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, as presiding judge.