Virginia Court Rules Guide
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Overview
Virginia state courts operate under the Virginia Rules of Court and Code of Virginia. The Supreme Court of Virginia promulgates rules for all trial and appellate courts. Fairfax County, Richmond, and Norfolk have local rules and administrative orders.
Important: Virginia's answer deadline is 21 days (not 30). Mail service adds 3 days. Always check for local rules in Fairfax, Richmond, and other major circuits.
Virginia Rules of Court Overview
Key Rules
- • Rule 1:7: Computation of time
- • Rule 1:12: Service and mail extension
- • Rule 3:8: 21-day answer to complaint
- • Rule 4:8: Discovery
- • Rule 5:9: Notice of appeal
Key Deadlines
- • 21 days: Answer to complaint
- • 14 days: Motion response
- • +3 days: Mail service extension
- • 30 days: Notice of appeal
- • 21 days: Discovery responses
Service Method Extensions (Rule 1:12)
| Service Method | Additional Time | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Service | None | Rule 1:12 |
| First-Class Mail | +3 calendar days | Rule 1:12 |
| Electronic Service | +3 calendar days | Rule 1:12 |
Virginia Appellate Rules
Key Appellate Deadlines
- • Rule 5:9: Notice of appeal — 30 days from judgment
- • Rule 5:17: Petition for appeal — 3 months from judgment
- • Rule 5:26: Appellant's brief — 40 days from grant
- • Rule 5:28: Appellee's brief — 25 days after appellant's
Electronic Filing in Virginia
VJEFS System
- • Virginia Judicial E-Filing System (VJEFS)
- • Mandatory for attorneys in many circuits
- • Check each court's specific e-filing status
- • Filing deadline: 11:59 PM on due date
- • Technical failure exceptions available
Fairfax & Richmond
- • Both use VJEFS for e-filing
- • Electronic service to registered users
- • Administrative orders control local practice
Virginia Statutes of Limitations
Personal Injury
- • General negligence: 2 years
- • Medical malpractice: 2 years
- • Wrongful death: 2 years
- • Products liability: 2 years
Contract Disputes
- • Written contracts: 5 years
- • Oral contracts: 3 years
- • UCC sales: 4 years
- • Open accounts: 3 years
Real Property & Other
- • Real property actions: 15 years
- • Adverse possession: 15 years
- • Fraud: 2 years
- • Products liability: 2 years
Key County Local Rules
Fairfax County
- • 19th Judicial Circuit
- • VJEFS mandatory for attorneys
- • Separate probate and family courts
- • Business court available for commercial cases
- • Complex litigation docket for large cases
Richmond (13th Judicial Circuit)
- • VJEFS mandatory filing
- • Specialized business court docket
- • ADR program for civil disputes
- • Family court / Friend of the Court
Official Resources
Calculate Virginia Deadlines Now
Use our free calculator to compute court deadlines under Virginia Rules of Court and Code of Virginia.
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