The Sixth Order Extending Declaration of Judicial Emergency In Response to Covid-19 Emergency entered by the Virginia Supreme Court was entered yesterday. Highlights are offered below. You can review the entire Order here.
- The Declaration of Judicial Emergency is EXTENDED until July 19, 2020
- Statutes of Limitations and case related deadlines (except for discovery deadlines) continue to be tolled during period of Judicial Emergency.
- While video conferencing and telephonic hearings are preferred, Courts may hear in-person non-emergency matters and non-jury cases if they determine it is safe to do so.
- Still not necessary for a party to obtain the agreement of any other party to bring a pre-trial motion before the court set a non-jury trial.
- Facemasks required
- Continuances and excuses for failure to appear shall be liberally granted for reasons resulting from impact of Covid-19
- Jury trials remain suspended and no jury trials shall take place for the duration of this Order. Jury trials after July 19 are subject to a further period of suspension if the Declaration of Judicial Emergency is extended.
- Judge Lemons has appointed a Task Force to address the reinstatement of jury trials in the Commonwealth.