{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/17.1-503.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/17.1-503.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/17.1-503.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/17.1-503.html"}],"law_id":82440,"edition_id":1,"section_id":82440,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-503","catch_line":"Rules of practice and procedure; rules not to preclude judges from hearing certain cases","history":"1973, c. 544, \u00a7 17-116.4; 1976, c. 212; 1998, c. 872; 2004, cc. 773, 1021; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Supreme Court may formulate rules of practice and procedure for the circuit courts following consultation with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice and the executive committee of the Judicial Conference of Virginia for courts of record. Such rules, subject to the strict construction of the provisions of § 8.01-4, which shall be the only rules of practice and procedure in the circuit courts of the Commonwealth, shall be included in the Code of Virginia as provided in § 8.01-3, subject to revision by the General Assembly.B\n\nNo rule shall hereafter be promulgated under the limitations of § 8.01-4, or otherwise which would avoid or preclude the judge before whom an accused is arraigned in criminal cases from hearing all aspects of the case on its merits, or to avoid or preclude any judge in any case who has heard any part of the case on its merits, from hearing the case to its conclusion. However, another judge may hear portions of a case where a judge is required to disqualify himself, in cases in which a mistrial is declared, or in cases which have been reversed on appeal, or in the event of sickness, disability or vacation of the judge. The parties to any suit, action, cause or prosecution may waive the provisions of this section. Such waiver shall be entered of record.C\n\nIn its rules of practice and procedure for the circuit courts, the Supreme Court shall include rules relating to court decisions on any order of quarantine or isolation issued by the State Health Commissioner pursuant to Article 3.02 (§ 32.1-48.05 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 that shall ensure, to the extent possible, that such hearings are held in a manner that will protect the health and safety of individuals subject to any such order of quarantine or isolation, court personnel, counsels, witnesses, and the general public. The rules shall also provide for expedited reviews by the Court of Appeals of decisions by any circuit court and by the Supreme Court of decisions of the Court of Appeals relating to appeals of any order of quarantine or isolation.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":295370,"text":"The Supreme Court may formulate rules of practice and procedure for the circuit courts following consultation with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice and the executive committee of the Judicial Conference of Virginia for courts of record. Such rules, subject to the strict construction of the provisions of § 8.01-4, which shall be the only rules of practice and procedure in the circuit courts of the Commonwealth, shall be included in the Code of Virginia as provided in § 8.01-3, subject to revision by the General Assembly.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":295371,"text":"No rule shall hereafter be promulgated under the limitations of § 8.01-4, or otherwise which would avoid or preclude the judge before whom an accused is arraigned in criminal cases from hearing all aspects of the case on its merits, or to avoid or preclude any judge in any case who has heard any part of the case on its merits, from hearing the case to its conclusion. However, another judge may hear portions of a case where a judge is required to disqualify himself, in cases in which a mistrial is declared, or in cases which have been reversed on appeal, or in the event of sickness, disability or vacation of the judge. The parties to any suit, action, cause or prosecution may waive the provisions of this section. Such waiver shall be entered of record.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":295372,"text":"In its rules of practice and procedure for the circuit courts, the Supreme Court shall include rules relating to court decisions on any order of quarantine or isolation issued by the State Health Commissioner pursuant to Article 3.02 (§ 32.1-48.05 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 that shall ensure, to the extent possible, that such hearings are held in a manner that will protect the health and safety of individuals subject to any such order of quarantine or isolation, court personnel, counsels, witnesses, and the general public. The rules shall also provide for expedited reviews by the Court of Appeals of decisions by any circuit court and by the Supreme Court of decisions of the Court of Appeals relating to appeals of any order of quarantine or isolation.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13258,"edition_id":1,"name":"Establishment; Jurisdiction; Etc","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13257,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","permalink":{"id":163697,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13258,"identifier":"1","token":"17.1\/5\/1","url":"\/17.1\/5\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13257,"edition_id":1,"name":"Circuit Courts","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12766,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","permalink":{"id":163695,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13257,"identifier":"5","token":"17.1\/5","url":"\/17.1\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12766,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts of Record","identifier":"17.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":162799,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12766,"identifier":"17.1","token":"17.1","url":"\/17.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":85737,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-500","catch_line":"Establishment of circuit courts","url":"\/17.1-500\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-500","metadata":false},{"id":67003,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-501","catch_line":"Judges of circuit courts; 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residence requirement; compensation; powers; etc","url":"\/17.1-507\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-507","metadata":false},{"id":81563,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-508","catch_line":"Judges in new or changed circuits; ratifying, validating and confirming certain actions","url":"\/17.1-508\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-508","metadata":false},{"id":76704,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-509","catch_line":"Vacancies in office of judge","url":"\/17.1-509\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-509","metadata":false},{"id":85553,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-510","catch_line":"Election of judge of new circuit; how court held meanwhile","url":"\/17.1-510\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-510","metadata":false},{"id":86070,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-511","catch_line":"Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled","url":"\/17.1-511\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-511","metadata":false},{"id":63299,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-512","catch_line":"Election of successor judge before date of vacancy","url":"\/17.1-512\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-512","metadata":false},{"id":69430,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-513","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of circuit courts","url":"\/17.1-513\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-513","metadata":false},{"id":75083,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-513.01","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of circuit courts with respect to charitable assets","url":"\/17.1-513.01\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-513.01","metadata":false},{"id":85866,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-513.1","catch_line":"Appeals from administrative proceedings; abuse and neglect; record to be sealed","url":"\/17.1-513.1\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-513.1","metadata":false},{"id":72254,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-513.2","catch_line":"Use of telephonic communication systems or electronic video and audio communication systems to conduct hearing","url":"\/17.1-513.2\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-513.2","metadata":false},{"id":56207,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-514","catch_line":"When plaintiff entitled to less than $100; judgment for defendant","url":"\/17.1-514\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-514","metadata":false},{"id":81663,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-515","catch_line":"Jurisdiction formerly in county courts","url":"\/17.1-515\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515","metadata":false},{"id":86475,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-515.1","catch_line":"Territorial jurisdiction of the Circuit Court for the City of Lynchburg","url":"\/17.1-515.1\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.1","metadata":false},{"id":70936,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-515.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-515.2\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.2","metadata":false},{"id":54255,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-515.3","catch_line":"Designation of courtrooms within twenty-first and twenty-third circuits for trial of certain cases","url":"\/17.1-515.3\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.3","metadata":false},{"id":67337,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-515.4","catch_line":"Designation of certain courtrooms within sixteenth circuit for trial of certain cases","url":"\/17.1-515.4\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.4","metadata":false},{"id":57670,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-515.5","catch_line":"Designation of certain courtrooms within twenty-fifth circuit for trial of certain cases","url":"\/17.1-515.5\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.5","metadata":false},{"id":60839,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-515.6","catch_line":"Concurrent law-enforcement jurisdiction over Joint Judicial Center in Winchester","url":"\/17.1-515.6\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.6","metadata":false},{"id":69717,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-515.7","catch_line":"Designation of certain courtrooms within twenty-fifth circuit for trial of certain cases","url":"\/17.1-515.7\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.7","metadata":false},{"id":54484,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-516","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of courts over certain waters","url":"\/17.1-516\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-516","metadata":false},{"id":68752,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-517","catch_line":"Number of terms; how fixed","url":"\/17.1-517\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-517","metadata":false},{"id":67026,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-518","catch_line":"Special terms; when, how and by whom appointed","url":"\/17.1-518\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-518","metadata":false},{"id":78723,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-519","catch_line":"Adjournment thereof to a future day","url":"\/17.1-519\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-519","metadata":false},{"id":65045,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-520","catch_line":"What tried at a special term","url":"\/17.1-520\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-520","metadata":false},{"id":82579,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-521","catch_line":"Who to hold special term; powers","url":"\/17.1-521\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-521","metadata":false},{"id":59896,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-522","catch_line":"Adjournment of special term","url":"\/17.1-522\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-522","metadata":false},{"id":56333,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-523","catch_line":"Salaries of judges of circuit courts","url":"\/17.1-523\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-523","metadata":false},{"id":80395,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-524","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-524\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-524","metadata":false},{"id":80472,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-525","catch_line":"Certain information to be made available to certain defendants found not guilty","url":"\/17.1-525\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-525","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79916,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-502","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Administrator of circuit court system","url":"\/17.1-502\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-502","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":81321,"structure_id":13258,"section_number":"17.1-504","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/17.1-504\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-504","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/17.1-503\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1973. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 544 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 1973 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 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 1976, chapter 212; in 1998, chapter 872<\/a>; in 2004, chapters 773<\/a> and 1021<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":62413,"section_number":"32.1-48.010","catch_line":"Appeal of any order of quarantine","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-48.010\/"},{"id":80635,"section_number":"32.1-48.013","catch_line":"Appeal of any order of isolation","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-48.013\/"},{"id":58043,"section_number":"8.01-3","catch_line":"Supreme Court may prescribe rules; effective date and availability; indexed, and annotated; effect of subsequent enactments of General Assembly","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-3\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":72908,"section_number":"32.1-48.05","catch_line":"Application of article; determination of exceptional circumstances; regulations; duties of the State Health Commissioner not be delegated","order_by":null,"url":"\/32.1-48.05\/"},{"id":58043,"section_number":"8.01-3","catch_line":"Supreme Court may prescribe rules; effective date and availability; indexed, and annotated; effect of subsequent enactments of General Assembly","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-3\/"},{"id":87298,"section_number":"8.01-4","catch_line":"District courts and circuit courts may prescribe certain rules","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-4\/"}],"permalink":{"id":163711,"object_type":"law","relational_id":82440,"identifier":"17.1-503","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-503","url":"\/17.1-503\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/17.1-503\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-503","dublin_core":{"Title":"Rules of practice and procedure; rules not to preclude judges from hearing certain cases","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 17.1-503","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Supreme Court<\/span> may formulate rules of practice and procedure for the circuit<\/span> courts<\/span> following consultation with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees for Courts<\/span> of Justice and the executive committee of the Judicial Conference of Virginia for courts<\/span> of record. Such rules, subject to the strict construction of the provisions of § 8.01-4<\/a>, which shall be the only rules of practice and procedure in the circuit<\/span> courts<\/span> of the Commonwealth, shall be included in the Code of Virginia as provided in § 8.01-3<\/a>, subject to revision by the General Assembly. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No rule shall hereafter be promulgated under the limitations of § 8.01-4<\/a>, or otherwise which would avoid or preclude the judge<\/span> before whom an accused<\/span> is arraigned in criminal cases from hearing<\/span> all aspects of the case on its merits, or to avoid or preclude any judge<\/span> in any case who has heard any part of the case on its merits, from hearing<\/span> the case to its conclusion. However, another judge<\/span> may hear portions of a case where a judge<\/span> is required to disqualify himself, in cases in which a mistrial<\/span> is declared, or in cases which have been reversed on appeal<\/span>, or in the event of sickness, disability or vacation of the judge<\/span>. The parties to any suit, action, cause or prosecution<\/span> may waive<\/span> the provisions of this section. Such waiver<\/span> shall be entered of record. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In its rules of practice and procedure for the circuit<\/span> courts<\/span>, the Supreme Court<\/span> shall include rules relating to court<\/span> decisions on any order<\/span> of quarantine or isolation issued by the State Health Commissioner pursuant to Article 3.02 (§ 32.1-48.05<\/a> et seq.) of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 that shall ensure, to the extent possible, that such hearings<\/span> are held in a manner that will protect the health and safety of individuals subject to any such order<\/span> of quarantine or isolation, court<\/span> personnel, counsels<\/span>, witnesses, and the general public. The rules shall also provide for expedited reviews by the Court<\/span> of Appeals<\/span> of decisions by any circuit<\/span> court<\/span> and by the Supreme Court<\/span> of decisions of the Court<\/span> of Appeals<\/span> relating to appeals<\/span> of any order<\/span> of quarantine or isolation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE; RULES NOT TO PRECLUDE JUDGES FROM HEARING\nCERTAIN CASES (\u00a7 17.1-503)\n\nA. The Supreme Court may formulate rules of practice and procedure for the\ncircuit courts following consultation with the Chairmen of the House and Senate\nCommittees for Courts of Justice and the executive committee of the Judicial\nConference of Virginia for courts of record. Such rules, subject to the strict\nconstruction of the provisions of § 8.01-4, which shall be the only rules\nof practice and procedure in the circuit courts of the Commonwealth, shall be\nincluded in the Code of Virginia as provided in § 8.01-3, subject to\nrevision by the General Assembly.\n\nB. No rule shall hereafter be promulgated under the limitations of §\n8.01-4, or otherwise which would avoid or preclude the judge before whom an\naccused is arraigned in criminal cases from hearing all aspects of the case on\nits merits, or to avoid or preclude any judge in any case who has heard any part\nof the case on its merits, from hearing the case to its conclusion. However,\nanother judge may hear portions of a case where a judge is required to\ndisqualify himself, in cases in which a mistrial is declared, or in cases which\nhave been reversed on appeal, or in the event of sickness, disability or\nvacation of the judge. The parties to any suit, action, cause or prosecution may\nwaive the provisions of this section. Such waiver shall be entered of record.\n\nC. In its rules of practice and procedure for the circuit courts, the Supreme\nCourt shall include rules relating to court decisions on any order of quarantine\nor isolation issued by the State Health Commissioner pursuant to Article 3.02\n(§ 32.1-48.05 et seq.) of Chapter 2 of Title 32.1 that shall ensure, to the\nextent possible, that such hearings are held in a manner that will protect the\nhealth and safety of individuals subject to any such order of quarantine or\nisolation, court personnel, counsels, witnesses, and the general public. The\nrules shall also provide for expedited reviews by the Court of Appeals of\ndecisions by any circuit court and by the Supreme Court of decisions of the\nCourt of Appeals relating to appeals of any order of quarantine or isolation.\n\nHISTORY: 1973, c. 544, \u00a7 17-116.4; 1976, c. 212; 1998, c. 872; 2004, cc. 773,\n1021; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 489.","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}}