APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE WEST VIRGINIA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE: By order entered November 24, 2015, the Court approved amendments to Rules 3(d)(2), 4(b), 10(c)(10)(a) and (b), 10(g), and 11(i), to the West Virginia Rules of Appellate Procedure and approved changes to the certification in Appendix A of the Notice of Appeal. Rule 3(d)(2) and Rule 10(c)(10)(a) and (b) provide guidance to counsel in criminal cases, habeas corpus cases, or abuse and neglect cases, when counsel lacks a good faith belief that an appeal is warranted, and the client insists that an appeal be advanced. Rule 3(d)(2) sets forth that counsel will not be permitted to withdraw solely on the basis that counsel lacks a good faith belief that an appeal is reasonable and warranted under the circumstances. The amendment to Rule 4(b) prohibits pro se filings whenever a party is represented by counsel in an action regardless of whether counsel has made a filing or an appearance before this Court in that action, unless specifically permitted by order. Rule 10(c)(10) sets forth the requirements that must be observed when counsel in a criminal case, habeas corpus case, or abuse and neglect case lacks a good faith belief that an appeal is reasonable and warranted. Rule 10(c)(10)(a) states that counsel must engage in a candid discussion with the client regarding the merits of the appeal. If, after consultation with the client, the client insists on proceeding with the appeal, counsel must file a notice of appeal and perfect the appeal on the petitioner’s behalf. Rule 10(c)(10)(b) provides that in extraordinary circumstances, if counsel is ethically compelled to disassociate from the contentions presented in the brief, counsel must preface the brief with a statement that the brief is filed pursuant to this Rule. If counsel is ethically compelled to disassociate from any assignments of error that the client wishes to raise on appeal, counsel must file a motion requesting leave for the client to file a pro se supplemental brief raising those assignments of error that the client wishes to raise but that counsel does not have a good faith belief are reasonable and warranted. The amendment to Rule 10(g) applies to all cases and states that unless otherwise provided by order, in cases where more than one respondent’s brief is filed, the petitioner is limited to filing only a single reply brief that consolidates the reply to each of the responses. In cases where more than one response brief is filed, the page limitation for the reply brief under Rule 38 is automatically extended to thirty pages, without need for further order. Also, the statement in lieu of transcript requirement for abuse and neglect cases in Rule 11(i) was deleted. The certification required in Appendix A of the Notice of Appeal was updated in light of the changes to Rules 3 and 10 which clarify the application of good faith belief in the merits of the appeal. The amendments are effective January 1, 2016.