by KPMLAW | May 18, 2020 | Court, KPMBlog, News, Updates
The Virginia court’s COVID-19 responses and related information can be found here. As information is quickly evolving, all parties are advised to consult the Virginia court’s website at vacourts.gov for the most up to date...
by KPMLAW | May 7, 2020 | Court, Covid, KPMBlog, News, Profiles
The Supreme Court of Virginia has issued a Fourth Order Modifying and Extending the Declaration of Judicial Emergency in Response to COVID-19. The full order can be viewed here. In all civil cases, any tolling of deadlines and obligations arising out of Part Four of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall terminate as of the effective date of this order (May 18, 2020). All discovery issued with a deadline to respond during the judicial emergency shall be due within twenty-one (21) days of the effective date of this Order (May18, 2020). Litigants are encouraged to resolve as many pretrial matters as possible with or without the assistance of the courts. All courts are authorized to accept pleadings, orders and other documents that are electronically signed, including those where the electronic signature is accomplished by scanning. Continuances and excuses for failure to appear shall be liberally granted for any cause resulting from the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Effective immediately, it is ORDERED that all civil and criminal jury trials are suspended and shall be continued until further notice and no jury trials shall occur in...
by KPMLAW | Apr 22, 2020 | Court, Covid
The Virginia Supreme Court has issued its Third Order Extending Declaration of Judicial Emergency in Response to COVID-19 Emergency through May 17, 2020. Under this extended order, which affects all Circuit Courts and General District Courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the courts have suspended all statute of limitations and case-related deadlines that would otherwise have expired between during the period of judicial emergency, now set as March 16 through May 17. The declaration also prohibits any gathering of more than 10 people within court buildings. Individual county courts in Virginia are preparing their own procedures to hear motions and hold other proceedings by video and teleconference during the period of judicial emergency. The full text from the Virginia Courts can be viewed here. If you have a question related to your matters with KPM, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a member of our team. All attorneys can be reached at first.last@kpmlaw.com or calling our office at...
by KPMLAW | Mar 16, 2020 | Court, Covid
Like all businesses and industries, the judicial system is struggling to maintain normal operations as it attempts to limit gathering of large numbers of people to avoid the spread of COVID-19. In response to directions of the CDC, Virginia Department of Health, and the Governor of Virginia, the courts have all issued orders suspending most matters on the upcoming docket, and they have gone even further with civil jury trials where members of the general public are required to meet. The following orders and changes have been made to the various court dockets in Virginia. STATE COURTS: The Supreme Court of Virginia has issued an Order Declaring a Judicial Emergency such that from Monday, March 16th through April 6, 2020, all non-essential and non-emergency court proceedings in Circuit Courts and District Courts are suspended, and all civil, traffic, and criminal matters, including jury trials are continued (with the exception of emergency matters). It was further ordered that all deadlines are tolled for 21 days. If an emergency matter must be heard, courtroom attendance is limited to attorneys, parties, necessary witnesses, and press in matters that cannot be continued. The following persons may be denied entry to the courthouse: A person may be denied entry to the courthouse if: · They have within 14 days visited China, Iran, South Korea, Europe, or other high-risk country designated by the CDC; · Been asked to quarantine or isolate his or herself by a doctor, hospital or health agency; · Been diagnosed with or had contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19; · Has a fever, cough or shortness of breath or resides with...
