CODE OF VIRGINIA

DISTRICT COURTS AND CIRCUIT COURTS MAY PRESCRIBE CERTAIN RULES (§ 8.01-4)

The district courts and circuit courts may, from time to time, prescribe rules
for their respective districts and circuits. Such rules shall be limited to
those rules necessary to promote proper order and decorum and the efficient and
safe use of courthouse facilities and clerks’ offices. No rule of any such
court shall be prescribed or enforced which is inconsistent with this statute or
any other statutory provision, or the Rules of Supreme Court or contrary to the
decided cases, or which has the effect of abridging substantive rights of
persons before such court. Any rule of court which violates the provisions of
this section shall be invalid.The courts may prescribe certain docket control
procedures which shall not abridge the substantive rights of the parties nor
deprive any party the opportunity to present its position as to the merits of a
case solely due to the unfamiliarity of counsel of record with any such docket
control procedures. No civil matter shall be dismissed with prejudice by any
district or circuit court for failure to comply with any rule created under this
section.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 8-1.3; 1970, c. 366; 1977, c. 617; 1999, c. 839; 2000, c.
803; 2014, c. 348.