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
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.
07-13-2011	REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS OF THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE BAR: By Order entered July 13, 2011, the Court approved a period of public comment on proposed 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 public comment period closed on August 26, 2011.
06-21-2011	APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CIVIL PROCEEDINGS: By Order entered June 21, 2011, the Court approved amendments to the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Domestic Violence Civil Proceedings, following an extended period of public comment. The rules are effective July 15, 2011.
05-25-2011	REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS: By Order entered May 25, 2011, the Court approved a period of public comment on amendments to the rules governing child abuse and neglect proceedings that were proposed by the Court Improvement Committee. The public comment period closed August 26, 2011.
05-12-2011	CONTINUATION OF FAMILY COURT APPELLATE PROCEDURES: By Order entered May 12, 2011, the Court directed that the appellate procedures set forth in Rules 26 through 36 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Courts, and Rule 13 of the Revised Rules of Appellate Procedure shall remain in full force and effect.
02-11-2011	TECHNICAL AMENDMENT TO THE RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: By Order dated February 11, 2011, the Court approved a technical amendment to Rule 37(a), which makes clear that the notice of appeal is filed with the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals.