{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-69.35.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-69.35.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-69.35.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-69.35.html"}],"law_id":74349,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74349,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.35","catch_line":"Administrative duties of chief district judge","history":"1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1976, cc. 307, 444; 1978, c. 200; 1984, c. 570; 1987, c. 703; 1989, c. 264; 1991, cc. 177, 392; 1992, c. 387; 1995, c. 57; 2001, c. 494; 2003, c. 102; 2005, cc. 207, 839; 2006, c. 144; 2014, c. 776; 2017, cc. 37, 225; 2019, cc. 240, 321, 526.","full_text":"The chief judge of each district shall have the following administrative duties and authority with respect to his district:\n\n1\n\nWhen any district court judge is under any disability or for any other cause is unable to hold court and the chief judge determines that assistance is needed:\n\t\t\ta. The chief district judge shall designate a judge within the district or a judge of another district court within the Commonwealth, if one is reasonably available, to hear and dispose of any action or actions properly coming before such district court for disposition;\n\t\t\tb. If unable to designate a judge as provided in subdivision 1 a, the chief district judge may designate a retired district judge eligible for recall pursuant to § 16.1-69.22:1 for such hearing and disposition if such judge consents; or\n\t\t\tc. If unable to assign a retired district court judge, the chief district judge may designate a retired circuit court judge eligible for recall pursuant to § 17.1-106 if such judge consents or the chief district judge may request that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court designate a circuit judge if such judge consents.\n\t\t\tIf no judges are available under subdivision a, b or c, then a substitute judge shall be designated pursuant to § 16.1-69.21.\n\t\t\tWhile acting, any judge so designated shall have all the authority and power of the judge of the court, and his order or judgment shall, to all intents and purposes, be the judgment of the court. A general district court judge designated pursuant to subdivision 1 a, may, with his consent, substitute for or replace a juvenile and domestic relations district court judge, and vice versa. The names of the judges designated under subdivisions b and c shall be selected from a list provided by the Executive Secretary and approved by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.2\n\nThe chief general district court judge of a district may designate any juvenile and domestic relations district court judge of the district, with the judge’s consent, for an individual case or to sit and hear cases for a period of not more than one year, in any of the general district courts within the district. The chief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge of a district may designate any general district court judge of the district, with the judge’s consent, for an individual case or to sit and hear cases for a period of not more than one year, in any of the juvenile and domestic relations district courts within the district. Every judge so designated shall have the same powers and jurisdiction and be authorized to perform the same duties as any judge of the district for which he is designated to assist, and, while so acting, his order or judgment shall be, for all purposes, the judgment of the court to which he is assigned.3\n\nIf on account of congestion in the work of any district court or when in his opinion the administration of justice so requires, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may, upon his own initiative or upon written application of the chief district court judge desiring assistance, designate a judge from another district or any circuit court judge, if such circuit court judge consents, or a retired judge eligible for recall, to provide judicial assistance to such district. Every judge so designated shall have the same powers and jurisdiction and be authorized to perform the same duties as any judge of the district for which he is designated to assist and while so acting his order or judgment shall be, to all intents and purposes, the judgment of the court to which he is assigned.4\n\nSubject to such rules as may be established pursuant to § 16.1-69.32, the chief judge may establish special divisions of any general district court when the work of the court may be more efficiently handled thereby such as through the establishment of special civil, criminal or traffic divisions, and he may assign the judges of the general district court with respect to serving such special divisions. In the City of Richmond the general district court shall, in addition to any specialized divisions, maintain a separate division of such court in that part of Richmond south of the James River with concurrent jurisdiction over all matters arising in the City of Richmond.5\n\nSubject to such rules as may be established pursuant to § 16.1-69.32, the chief judge shall determine when the district courts or divisions of such courts shall be open for the transaction of business. The chief judge or presiding judge of any district court may authorize the clerk’s office to close on any date when the chief judge or presiding judge determines that operation of the clerk’s office, under prevailing conditions, would constitute a threat to the health or safety of the clerk’s office personnel or the general public. Closing of the clerk’s office pursuant to this subsection shall have the same effect as provided in subsection B of § 1-210. In determining whether to close because of a threat to the health or safety of the general public, the chief judge or the presiding judge of the district court shall coordinate with the chief judge or presiding judge of the circuit court so that, where possible and appropriate, both the circuit and district courts take the same action. He shall determine the times each such court shall be held for the trial of civil, criminal or traffic matters and cases. He shall determine whether, in the case of district courts in counties, court shall be held at any place or places in addition to the county seat or other place expressly authorized by statute. He shall determine the office hours and arrange a vacation schedule of the judges within his district, in order to ensure the availability of a judge or judges to the public at normal times of business. A schedule of the times and places at which court is held shall be filed with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court and kept posted at the courthouse, and in any county also at any such other place or places where court may be held, and the clerk shall make such schedules available to the public upon request. Any matter may, in the discretion of the judge, or by direction of the chief district judge, be removed from any one of such designated places to another, or to or from the county seat or other place expressly authorized by statute, in order to serve the convenience of the parties or to expedite the administration of justice; however, any town having a population of over 15,000 as of July 1, 1972, having court facilities and a court with both general criminal and civil jurisdiction prior to July 1, 1972, shall be designated by the chief judge as a place to hold court.6\n\nSubject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.38, the chief judge of a general district court or the chief judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district court may establish a voluntary civil mediation program for the alternate resolution of disputes. The costs of the program shall be paid by the local governing bodies within the district or by the parties who voluntarily participate in the program.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":267260,"text":"The chief judge of each district shall have the following administrative duties and authority with respect to his district:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":267261,"text":"When any district court judge is under any disability or for any other cause is unable to hold court and the chief judge determines that assistance is needed:\n\t\t\ta. The chief district judge shall designate a judge within the district or a judge of another district court within the Commonwealth, if one is reasonably available, to hear and dispose of any action or actions properly coming before such district court for disposition;\n\t\t\tb. If unable to designate a judge as provided in subdivision 1 a, the chief district judge may designate a retired district judge eligible for recall pursuant to § 16.1-69.22:1 for such hearing and disposition if such judge consents; or\n\t\t\tc. If unable to assign a retired district court judge, the chief district judge may designate a retired circuit court judge eligible for recall pursuant to § 17.1-106 if such judge consents or the chief district judge may request that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court designate a circuit judge if such judge consents.\n\t\t\tIf no judges are available under subdivision a, b or c, then a substitute judge shall be designated pursuant to § 16.1-69.21.\n\t\t\tWhile acting, any judge so designated shall have all the authority and power of the judge of the court, and his order or judgment shall, to all intents and purposes, be the judgment of the court. A general district court judge designated pursuant to subdivision 1 a, may, with his consent, substitute for or replace a juvenile and domestic relations district court judge, and vice versa. The names of the judges designated under subdivisions b and c shall be selected from a list provided by the Executive Secretary and approved by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":267262,"text":"The chief general district court judge of a district may designate any juvenile and domestic relations district court judge of the district, with the judge’s consent, for an individual case or to sit and hear cases for a period of not more than one year, in any of the general district courts within the district. The chief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge of a district may designate any general district court judge of the district, with the judge’s consent, for an individual case or to sit and hear cases for a period of not more than one year, in any of the juvenile and domestic relations district courts within the district. Every judge so designated shall have the same powers and jurisdiction and be authorized to perform the same duties as any judge of the district for which he is designated to assist, and, while so acting, his order or judgment shall be, for all purposes, the judgment of the court to which he is assigned.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":267263,"text":"If on account of congestion in the work of any district court or when in his opinion the administration of justice so requires, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may, upon his own initiative or upon written application of the chief district court judge desiring assistance, designate a judge from another district or any circuit court judge, if such circuit court judge consents, or a retired judge eligible for recall, to provide judicial assistance to such district. Every judge so designated shall have the same powers and jurisdiction and be authorized to perform the same duties as any judge of the district for which he is designated to assist and while so acting his order or judgment shall be, to all intents and purposes, the judgment of the court to which he is assigned.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":267264,"text":"Subject to such rules as may be established pursuant to § 16.1-69.32, the chief judge may establish special divisions of any general district court when the work of the court may be more efficiently handled thereby such as through the establishment of special civil, criminal or traffic divisions, and he may assign the judges of the general district court with respect to serving such special divisions. In the City of Richmond the general district court shall, in addition to any specialized divisions, maintain a separate division of such court in that part of Richmond south of the James River with concurrent jurisdiction over all matters arising in the City of Richmond.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":267265,"text":"Subject to such rules as may be established pursuant to § 16.1-69.32, the chief judge shall determine when the district courts or divisions of such courts shall be open for the transaction of business. The chief judge or presiding judge of any district court may authorize the clerk’s office to close on any date when the chief judge or presiding judge determines that operation of the clerk’s office, under prevailing conditions, would constitute a threat to the health or safety of the clerk’s office personnel or the general public. Closing of the clerk’s office pursuant to this subsection shall have the same effect as provided in subsection B of § 1-210. In determining whether to close because of a threat to the health or safety of the general public, the chief judge or the presiding judge of the district court shall coordinate with the chief judge or presiding judge of the circuit court so that, where possible and appropriate, both the circuit and district courts take the same action. He shall determine the times each such court shall be held for the trial of civil, criminal or traffic matters and cases. He shall determine whether, in the case of district courts in counties, court shall be held at any place or places in addition to the county seat or other place expressly authorized by statute. He shall determine the office hours and arrange a vacation schedule of the judges within his district, in order to ensure the availability of a judge or judges to the public at normal times of business. A schedule of the times and places at which court is held shall be filed with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court and kept posted at the courthouse, and in any county also at any such other place or places where court may be held, and the clerk shall make such schedules available to the public upon request. Any matter may, in the discretion of the judge, or by direction of the chief district judge, be removed from any one of such designated places to another, or to or from the county seat or other place expressly authorized by statute, in order to serve the convenience of the parties or to expedite the administration of justice; however, any town having a population of over 15,000 as of July 1, 1972, having court facilities and a court with both general criminal and civil jurisdiction prior to July 1, 1972, shall be designated by the chief judge as a place to hold court.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":267266,"text":"Subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.38, the chief judge of a general district court or the chief judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district court may establish a voluntary civil mediation program for the alternate resolution of disputes. The costs of the program shall be paid by the local governing bodies within the district or by the parties who voluntarily participate in the program.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13494,"edition_id":1,"name":"Administration and Supervision of the District Courts","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13142,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:02","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:02","permalink":{"id":162159,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13494,"identifier":"3","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3","url":"\/16.1\/4.1\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13142,"edition_id":1,"name":"District Courts","identifier":"4.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:21","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:21","permalink":{"id":161993,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13142,"identifier":"4.1","token":"16.1\/4.1","url":"\/16.1\/4.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":54457,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.30","catch_line":"District system within unified court system","url":"\/16.1-69.30\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.30","metadata":false},{"id":55293,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.31","catch_line":"The duties of the Judicial Council","url":"\/16.1-69.31\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.31","metadata":false},{"id":78384,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.32","catch_line":"Rules","url":"\/16.1-69.32\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.32","metadata":false},{"id":68146,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.32:1","catch_line":"Substitution of counsel","url":"\/16.1-69.32_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.32_1","metadata":false},{"id":78281,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.33","catch_line":"Committee on District Courts","url":"\/16.1-69.33\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.33","metadata":false},{"id":72552,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.34","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/16.1-69.34\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.34","metadata":false},{"id":74349,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.35","catch_line":"Administrative duties of chief district judge","url":"\/16.1-69.35\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.35","metadata":false},{"id":61573,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.35:01","catch_line":"Location of district courts for Albemarle County","url":"\/16.1-69.35_01\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.35_01","metadata":false},{"id":85601,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.35:1","catch_line":"Location of district courts for Carroll County","url":"\/16.1-69.35_1\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.35_1","metadata":false},{"id":69451,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.35:2","catch_line":"Recording of proceedings in district courts","url":"\/16.1-69.35_2\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.35_2","metadata":false},{"id":58257,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.35:3","catch_line":"(Expires pursuant to Acts 2025, c. 292, cl. 2) Twelfth Judicial District; chief judges; designation of cases to be heard in Colonial Heights.","url":"\/16.1-69.35_3\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.35_3","metadata":false},{"id":79440,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.36","catch_line":"Where process returnable and trials held in certain cases","url":"\/16.1-69.36\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.36","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72552,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.34","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/16.1-69.34\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.34","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":61573,"structure_id":13494,"section_number":"16.1-69.35:01","catch_line":"Location of district courts for Albemarle County","url":"\/16.1-69.35_01\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.35_01","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-69.35\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1972. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 708 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1972 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 16 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 546; in 1976, chapters 307 and 444; in 1978, chapter 200; in 1984, chapter 570; in 1987, chapter 703; in 1989, chapter 264; in 1991, chapters 177 and 392; in 1992, chapter 387; in 1995, chapter 57<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 494<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 102<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 207<\/a> and 839<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 144<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 776<\/a>; in 2017, chapters 37<\/a> and 225<\/a>; in 2019, chapters 240<\/a>, 321<\/a>, and 526<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61705,"section_number":"16.1-253.1","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders in cases of family abuse; confidentiality","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-253.1\/"},{"id":80739,"section_number":"16.1-336","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-336\/"},{"id":65832,"section_number":"16.1-69.21","catch_line":"When substitute to serve; his powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.21\/"},{"id":66141,"section_number":"16.1-69.22:1","catch_line":"Temporary recall of retired district court judges; evaluation","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.22_1\/"},{"id":57556,"section_number":"19.2-152.9","catch_line":"Preliminary protective orders","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-152.9\/"},{"id":86844,"section_number":"37.2-804","catch_line":"Fees and expenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-804\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":73076,"section_number":"1-210","catch_line":"Computation of time","order_by":null,"url":"\/1-210\/"},{"id":65832,"section_number":"16.1-69.21","catch_line":"When substitute to serve; his powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.21\/"},{"id":66141,"section_number":"16.1-69.22:1","catch_line":"Temporary recall of retired district court judges; evaluation","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.22_1\/"},{"id":78384,"section_number":"16.1-69.32","catch_line":"Rules","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.32\/"},{"id":79551,"section_number":"16.1-69.38","catch_line":"Authorization for substitute judges and personnel","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.38\/"},{"id":63334,"section_number":"17.1-106","catch_line":"Temporary recall of retired judges; evaluation","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-106\/"}],"permalink":{"id":162185,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74349,"identifier":"16.1-69.35","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.35","url":"\/16.1-69.35\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-69.35\/","token":"16.1\/4.1\/3\/16.1-69.35","dublin_core":{"Title":"Administrative duties of chief district judge","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-69.35","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The chief judge<\/span> of each district shall have the following administrative duties and authority with respect to his district:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> When any district court<\/span> judge is under any disability or for any other cause is unable to hold court<\/span> and the chief judge<\/span> determines that assistance is needed:\n\t\t\ta. The chief district judge shall designate a judge within the district or a judge of another district court<\/span> within the Commonwealth, if one is reasonably available, to hear and dispose of any action or actions properly coming before such district court<\/span> for disposition<\/span>;\n\t\t\tb. If unable to designate a judge as provided in subdivision 1 a, the chief district judge may designate a retired district judge eligible for recall pursuant to § 16.1-69.22:1<\/a> for such hearing<\/span> and disposition<\/span> if such judge consents; or\n\t\t\tc. If unable to assign a retired district court<\/span> judge, the chief district judge may designate a retired circuit<\/span> court<\/span> judge eligible for recall pursuant to § 17.1-106<\/a> if such judge consents or the chief district judge may request that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court<\/span> designate a circuit<\/span> judge if such judge consents.\n\t\t\tIf no judges<\/span> are available under subdivision a, b or c, then a substitute judge shall be designated pursuant to § 16.1-69.21<\/a>.\n\t\t\tWhile acting, any judge so designated shall have all the authority and power of the judge of the court<\/span>, and his order<\/span> or judgment<\/span> shall, to all intents<\/span> and purposes, be the judgment<\/span> of the court<\/span>. A general district court<\/span> judge designated pursuant to subdivision 1 a, may, with his consent, substitute for or replace a juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> judge, and vice versa. The names of the judges<\/span> designated under subdivisions b and c shall be selected from a list provided by the Executive Secretary and approved by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The chief general district court<\/span> judge of a district may designate any juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> judge of the district, with the judge’s consent, for an individual case or to sit and hear cases for a period of not more than one year, in any of the general district courts<\/span> within the district. The chief juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> judge of a district may designate any general district court<\/span> judge of the district, with the judge’s consent, for an individual case or to sit and hear cases for a period of not more than one year, in any of the juvenile and domestic relations district courts<\/span> within the district. Every judge so designated shall have the same powers and jurisdiction<\/span> and be authorized to perform the same duties as any judge of the district for which he is designated to assist, and, while so acting, his order<\/span> or judgment<\/span> shall be, for all purposes, the judgment<\/span> of the court<\/span> to which he is assigned. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> If on account of congestion in the work of any district court<\/span> or when in his opinion<\/span> the administration of justice so requires, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court<\/span> may, upon his own initiative or upon written application of the chief district court<\/span> judge desiring assistance, designate a judge from another district or any circuit<\/span> court<\/span> judge, if such circuit<\/span> court<\/span> judge consents, or a retired judge eligible for recall, to provide judicial assistance to such district. Every judge so designated shall have the same powers and jurisdiction<\/span> and be authorized to perform the same duties as any judge of the district for which he is designated to assist and while so acting his order<\/span> or judgment<\/span> shall be, to all intents<\/span> and purposes, the judgment<\/span> of the court<\/span> to which he is assigned. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Subject to such rules as may be established pursuant to § 16.1-69.32<\/a>, the chief judge<\/span> may establish special divisions of any general district court<\/span> when the work of the court<\/span> may be more efficiently handled thereby such as through the establishment of special civil, criminal or traffic divisions, and he may assign the judges<\/span> of the general district court<\/span> with respect to serving such special divisions. In the City of Richmond the general district court<\/span> shall, in addition to any specialized divisions, maintain a separate division of such court<\/span> in that part of Richmond south of the James River with concurrent jurisdiction<\/span> over all matters arising in the City of Richmond. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Subject to such rules as may be established pursuant to § 16.1-69.32<\/a>, the chief judge<\/span> shall determine when the district courts<\/span> or divisions of such courts<\/span> shall be open for the transaction of business. The chief judge<\/span> or presiding judge of any district court<\/span> may authorize the clerk’s office to close on any date when the chief judge<\/span> or presiding judge determines that operation of the clerk’s office, under prevailing conditions, would constitute a threat to the health or safety of the clerk’s office personnel or the general public. Closing of the clerk’s office pursuant to this subsection shall have the same effect as provided in subsection B of § 1-210<\/a>. In determining whether to close because of a threat to the health or safety of the general public, the chief judge<\/span> or the presiding judge of the district court<\/span> shall coordinate with the chief judge<\/span> or presiding judge of the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> so that, where possible and appropriate, both the circuit<\/span> and district courts<\/span> take the same action. He shall determine the times each such court<\/span> shall be held for the trial<\/span> of civil, criminal or traffic matters and cases. He shall determine whether, in the case of district courts<\/span> in counties, court<\/span> shall be held at any place or places in addition to the county seat or other place expressly authorized by statute<\/span>. He shall determine the office hours and arrange a vacation schedule of the judges<\/span> within his district, in order<\/span> to ensure the availability of a judge or judges<\/span> to the public at normal times of business. A schedule of the times and places at which court<\/span> is held shall be filed with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court<\/span> and kept posted at the courthouse, and in any county also at any such other place or places where court<\/span> may be held, and the clerk shall make such schedules<\/span> available to the public upon request. Any matter may, in the discretion of the judge, or by direction of the chief district judge, be removed from any one of such designated places to another, or to or from the county seat or other place expressly authorized by statute<\/span>, in order<\/span> to serve the convenience of the parties or to expedite the administration of justice; however, any town having a population of over 15,000 as of July 1, 1972, having court<\/span> facilities and a court<\/span> with both general criminal and civil jurisdiction<\/span> prior to July 1, 1972, shall be designated by the chief judge<\/span> as a place to hold court<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.38<\/a>, the chief judge<\/span> of a general district court<\/span> or the chief judge<\/span> of a juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span> may establish a voluntary civil mediation program for the alternate resolution of disputes. The costs of the program shall be paid by the local governing bodies within the district or by the parties who voluntarily participate in the program. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES OF CHIEF DISTRICT JUDGE (\u00a7 16.1-69.35)\n\nThe chief judge of each district shall have the following administrative duties\nand authority with respect to his district:\n\n1. When any district court judge is under any disability or for any other cause\nis unable to hold court and the chief judge determines that assistance is\nneeded:\n\t\t\ta. The chief district judge shall designate a judge within the district or a\njudge of another district court within the Commonwealth, if one is reasonably\navailable, to hear and dispose of any action or actions properly coming before\nsuch district court for disposition;\n\t\t\tb. If unable to designate a judge as provided in subdivision 1 a, the chief\ndistrict judge may designate a retired district judge eligible for recall\npursuant to § 16.1-69.22:1 for such hearing and disposition if such judge\nconsents; or\n\t\t\tc. If unable to assign a retired district court judge, the chief district\njudge may designate a retired circuit court judge eligible for recall pursuant\nto § 17.1-106 if such judge consents or the chief district judge may\nrequest that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court designate a circuit judge if\nsuch judge consents.\n\t\t\tIf no judges are available under subdivision a, b or c, then a substitute\njudge shall be designated pursuant to § 16.1-69.21.\n\t\t\tWhile acting, any judge so designated shall have all the authority and power\nof the judge of the court, and his order or judgment shall, to all intents and\npurposes, be the judgment of the court. A general district court judge\ndesignated pursuant to subdivision 1 a, may, with his consent, substitute for or\nreplace a juvenile and domestic relations district court judge, and vice versa.\nThe names of the judges designated under subdivisions b and c shall be selected\nfrom a list provided by the Executive Secretary and approved by the Chief\nJustice of the Supreme Court.\n\n2. The chief general district court judge of a district may designate any\njuvenile and domestic relations district court judge of the district, with the\njudge’s consent, for an individual case or to sit and hear cases for a\nperiod of not more than one year, in any of the general district courts within\nthe district. The chief juvenile and domestic relations district court judge of\na district may designate any general district court judge of the district, with\nthe judge’s consent, for an individual case or to sit and hear cases for a\nperiod of not more than one year, in any of the juvenile and domestic relations\ndistrict courts within the district. Every judge so designated shall have the\nsame powers and jurisdiction and be authorized to perform the same duties as any\njudge of the district for which he is designated to assist, and, while so\nacting, his order or judgment shall be, for all purposes, the judgment of the\ncourt to which he is assigned.\n\n3. If on account of congestion in the work of any district court or when in his\nopinion the administration of justice so requires, the Chief Justice of the\nSupreme Court may, upon his own initiative or upon written application of the\nchief district court judge desiring assistance, designate a judge from another\ndistrict or any circuit court judge, if such circuit court judge consents, or a\nretired judge eligible for recall, to provide judicial assistance to such\ndistrict. Every judge so designated shall have the same powers and jurisdiction\nand be authorized to perform the same duties as any judge of the district for\nwhich he is designated to assist and while so acting his order or judgment shall\nbe, to all intents and purposes, the judgment of the court to which he is\nassigned.\n\n4. Subject to such rules as may be established pursuant to § 16.1-69.32,\nthe chief judge may establish special divisions of any general district court\nwhen the work of the court may be more efficiently handled thereby such as\nthrough the establishment of special civil, criminal or traffic divisions, and\nhe may assign the judges of the general district court with respect to serving\nsuch special divisions. In the City of Richmond the general district court\nshall, in addition to any specialized divisions, maintain a separate division of\nsuch court in that part of Richmond south of the James River with concurrent\njurisdiction over all matters arising in the City of Richmond.\n\n5. Subject to such rules as may be established pursuant to § 16.1-69.32,\nthe chief judge shall determine when the district courts or divisions of such\ncourts shall be open for the transaction of business. The chief judge or\npresiding judge of any district court may authorize the clerk’s office to\nclose on any date when the chief judge or presiding judge determines that\noperation of the clerk’s office, under prevailing conditions, would\nconstitute a threat to the health or safety of the clerk’s office\npersonnel or the general public. Closing of the clerk’s office pursuant to\nthis subsection shall have the same effect as provided in subsection B of §\n1-210. In determining whether to close because of a threat to the health or\nsafety of the general public, the chief judge or the presiding judge of the\ndistrict court shall coordinate with the chief judge or presiding judge of the\ncircuit court so that, where possible and appropriate, both the circuit and\ndistrict courts take the same action. He shall determine the times each such\ncourt shall be held for the trial of civil, criminal or traffic matters and\ncases. He shall determine whether, in the case of district courts in counties,\ncourt shall be held at any place or places in addition to the county seat or\nother place expressly authorized by statute. He shall determine the office hours\nand arrange a vacation schedule of the judges within his district, in order to\nensure the availability of a judge or judges to the public at normal times of\nbusiness. A schedule of the times and places at which court is held shall be\nfiled with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court and kept posted at the\ncourthouse, and in any county also at any such other place or places where court\nmay be held, and the clerk shall make such schedules available to the public\nupon request. Any matter may, in the discretion of the judge, or by direction of\nthe chief district judge, be removed from any one of such designated places to\nanother, or to or from the county seat or other place expressly authorized by\nstatute, in order to serve the convenience of the parties or to expedite the\nadministration of justice; however, any town having a population of over 15,000\nas of July 1, 1972, having court facilities and a court with both general\ncriminal and civil jurisdiction prior to July 1, 1972, shall be designated by\nthe chief judge as a place to hold court.\n\n6. Subject to the provisions of § 16.1-69.38, the chief judge of a general\ndistrict court or the chief judge of a juvenile and domestic relations district\ncourt may establish a voluntary civil mediation program for the alternate\nresolution of disputes. The costs of the program shall be paid by the local\ngoverning bodies within the district or by the parties who voluntarily\nparticipate in the program.\n\nHISTORY: 1972, c. 708; 1973, c. 546; 1976, cc. 307, 444; 1978, c. 200; 1984, c.\n570; 1987, c. 703; 1989, c. 264; 1991, cc. 177, 392; 1992, c. 387; 1995, c. 57;\n2001, c. 494; 2003, c. 102; 2005, cc. 207, 839; 2006, c. 144; 2014, c. 776;\n2017, cc. 37, 225; 2019, cc. 240, 321, 526.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}