Recent Rules Orders

Pursuant to Article VIII Section 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. Listed below, in reverse chronological order, are links to recent rules orders issued by the Court, along with a brief explanation of each. For more information about the amendment and promulgation of court rules, please contact the Office of the Clerk.

Date	Description
09-11-2012	APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF NEW TRIAL COURT RULE 29, RELATING TO THE BUSINESS COURT DIVISION. By Order entered September 11, 2012, the Court approved Trial Court Rule 29, establishing a Business Court Division within the circuit courts of West Virginia. The new rule becomes effective on October 10, 2012. On the same day, the Chief Justice entered an order making appointments to the Business Court Division and naming a Chair. The changes were announced by Justice Robin Davis. Read more in the Court's press release.
06-19-2012	APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF PROPOSED RULE CHANGES TO CREATE A NEW WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. By Order entered June 19, 2012, the Court approved a three (3) year pilot program by creating the RULES OF THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
04-20-2012	APPROVAL OF GUIDELINES FOR GUARDIANS AD LITEM IN FAMILY COURT; AMENDMENTS TO TRIAL COURT RULE 21; AND AMENDMENTS TO RULE 47 OF THE RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE FOR FAMILY COURT. By Order entered April 20, 2012, the Court approved guidelines related to the appointment of guardians ad litem in family court, along with a proposed amendment to Trial Court Rule 21 related to compensation of guardians and other matters. The rules are generally effective July 1, 2012. Please refer to the Order for additional details regarding the effective date of the new educational requirements and compensation.
03-27-2012	CORRECTED ORDER NUNC PRO TUNC OF IN RE: APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS. By Order entered March 27, 2012, the Court issued a corrected order regarding the Approval of Amendments to the Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings. The rules are effective January 3, 2012.
03-08-2012	REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES FOR ADMISSION TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW. By Order entered March 8, 2012, the Court requested public comment on proposed amendments to the Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law
02-09-2012	REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO CREATE RULE 29. By Order entered February 9, 2012, the Court requested public comment on proposed amendments to create Rule 29, Commercial Litigation, West Virginia Trial Court Rules. The public comment period ends May 11, 2012.
01-26-2012	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.
11-22-2011	APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS: By Order entered November 22, 2011, the Court approved amendments to the Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings. The rules are effective January 3, 2012.
10-21-2011	REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR GUARDIANS AD LITEM IN FAMILY COURT; AMENDMENTS TO TRIAL COURT RULE 21; AND AMENDMENTS TO RULE 47 OF THE RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE FOR FAMILY COURT. By Order entered October 21, 2011, the Court requested public comment on proposed guidelines related to the appointment of guardians ad litem in family court, along with a proposed amendment to Trial Court Rule 21 related to compensation of guardians and other matters. The public comment period ends December 31, 2011.
09-13-2011	APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS OF THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE BAR: By Order entered September 13, 2011, the Court approved amendments to the by-laws of the West Virginia State Bar, relating to the Bar's power to hold property and to borrow money. The rules are effective immediately.