Pursuant to Article VIII § 3 of the West Virginia Constitution, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia "shall have power to promulgate rules for all cases and proceedings, civil and criminal, for all the courts of the State relating to writs, warrants, process, practice and procedure, which shall have the force and effect of law." See also W. Va. Code § 51-1-4. The Court exercises this authority by issuing rules orders at various times throughout the year. Comments from the public, the bench, and the bar are imporant to the judicial rulemaking process. This page lists matters that are currently placed for public comment.
How to File Public Comments
Public comments on proposed rules must be in writing and filed with the Clerk of Court on or before the deadline set forth in the order. The Court encourages interest groups to submit joint comments where appropriate. Email comments are not encouraged and receipt of email comments will not be acknowledged.
Current Requests for Public Comment
- REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMMENDMENTS TO THE RULES FOR ADMISSION TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW. By Order entered March 8, 2012, the Court requested public comment on proposed ammendments to the Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law
- REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMMENDMENTS TO CREATE RULE 29. By Order entered February 9, 2012, the Court requested public comment on proposed ammendments to create Rule 29, Commercial Litigation, West Virginia Trial Court Rules. The public comment period ends May 11, 2012.
- REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMMENDMENTS TO WEST VIRGINIA STATE BAR RULES AND REGULATIONS. By Order entered January 26, 2012, the Court requested public comment on proposed amendments to Chapter VII of the West Virginia State Bar Rules and Regulations, Rules to Govern Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, Rule 4.4. The public comment period ends February 29, 2012.