Civil Actions
It is the goal of the Virginia Beach Circuit Court that all civil cases be concluded within 18 months of the date of filing, except for exceptional cases brought to the attention of the Court.
The Circuit Court has established procedures for civil cases. The events and duties of the parties are outlined in the civil case management manual.
A pretrial conference provided for by Rule 1:19 and Rule 4:13 of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia is required in all civil jury trial cases.
The court may require that a court reporter be present at the trial. In a civil case filed directly in the Circuit Court, the services of a court reporter to appear and record the trial proceedings shall be arranged by the plaintiff unless otherwise arranged by the agreement of all counsel or directed by the court.
Counsel may submit for entry by the court the civil pretrial scheduling order. EXCEPTION: A scheduling order is not required in a civil appeal case. The provisions of Supreme Court Rule 1:18 shall apply.
When filing a civil action in the Circuit Court, counsel shall attach a completed civil cover sheet (available on the Supreme Court's website under forms) to the initial pleading filed. This will greatly assist the Clerk’s Office with the filing fee assessment and the indexing of the case.
For actions originating in the Circuit Court, counsel must file a praecipe for the setting of a trial date or contact the court to set an agreed trial date. The Clerk's Office will issue a notice of docket call in civil actions appealed from the general district court.
Counsel shall be responsible for preparing and submitting for approval any continuance request of a trial date.