{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-3.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-3.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-3.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-3.html"}],"law_id":58043,"edition_id":1,"section_id":58043,"structure_id":14798,"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","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 8-1, 8-1.1, 8-1.2, 8-86.1; 1950, p. 3; 1952, c. 234; 1954, c. 333; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 2; 1972, c. 856; 1977, c. 617; 1979, c. 658; 1984, c. 524; 2003, c. 280; 2012, cc. 688, 708; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, c. 56; 2022, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Supreme Court, subject to §§ 17.1-503 and 16.1-69.32, may, from time to time, prescribe the forms of writs and make general regulations for the practice in all courts of the Commonwealth; and may prepare a system of rules of practice and a system of pleading and the forms of process and may prepare rules of evidence to be used in all such courts. This section shall be liberally construed so as to eliminate unnecessary delays and expenses.B\n\nThe Supreme Court, subject to § 30-399, shall enact rules and procedures as may be necessary for implementing the requirements of Article II, § 6-A of the Constitution of Virginia, empowering the Supreme Court to establish congressional or state legislative districts as provided for in that section.C\n\nNew rules and amendments to rules shall not become effective until 60 days from adoption by the Supreme Court, and shall be made available to all courts, members of the bar, and the public.D\n\nThe Virginia Code Commission shall publish and cause to be properly indexed and annotated the rules adopted by the Supreme Court, and all amendments thereof by the Court, and all changes made therein pursuant to subsection E.E\n\nThe General Assembly may, from time to time, by the enactment of a general law, modify or annul any rules adopted or amended pursuant to this section. In the case of any variance between a rule and an enactment of the General Assembly such variance shall be construed so as to give effect to such enactment.F\n\nAny amendment or addition to the rules of evidence shall be adopted by the Supreme Court on or before November 15 of any year and shall become effective on July 1 of the following year unless the General Assembly modifies or annuls any such amendment or addition by enactment of a general law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Supreme Court, at any time, may amend the rules to conform with any enactment of the General Assembly and correct unmistakable printer’s errors, misspellings, unmistakable errors to statutory cross-references, and other unmistakable errors in the rules of evidence.G\n\nWhen any rule contained in the rules of evidence is derived from one or more sections of the Code of Virginia, the Supreme Court shall include a citation to such section or sections in the title of the rule.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":212591,"text":"The Supreme Court, subject to §§ 17.1-503 and 16.1-69.32, may, from time to time, prescribe the forms of writs and make general regulations for the practice in all courts of the Commonwealth; and may prepare a system of rules of practice and a system of pleading and the forms of process and may prepare rules of evidence to be used in all such courts. This section shall be liberally construed so as to eliminate unnecessary delays and expenses.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":212592,"text":"The Supreme Court, subject to § 30-399, shall enact rules and procedures as may be necessary for implementing the requirements of Article II, § 6-A of the Constitution of Virginia, empowering the Supreme Court to establish congressional or state legislative districts as provided for in that section.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":212593,"text":"New rules and amendments to rules shall not become effective until 60 days from adoption by the Supreme Court, and shall be made available to all courts, members of the bar, and the public.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":212594,"text":"The Virginia Code Commission shall publish and cause to be properly indexed and annotated the rules adopted by the Supreme Court, and all amendments thereof by the Court, and all changes made therein pursuant to subsection E.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":212595,"text":"The General Assembly may, from time to time, by the enactment of a general law, modify or annul any rules adopted or amended pursuant to this section. In the case of any variance between a rule and an enactment of the General Assembly such variance shall be construed so as to give effect to such enactment.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":212596,"text":"Any amendment or addition to the rules of evidence shall be adopted by the Supreme Court on or before November 15 of any year and shall become effective on July 1 of the following year unless the General Assembly modifies or annuls any such amendment or addition by enactment of a general law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Supreme Court, at any time, may amend the rules to conform with any enactment of the General Assembly and correct unmistakable printer’s errors, misspellings, unmistakable errors to statutory cross-references, and other unmistakable errors in the rules of evidence.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":212597,"text":"When any rule contained in the rules of evidence is derived from one or more sections of the Code of Virginia, the Supreme Court shall include a citation to such section or sections in the title of the rule.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14798,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions as to Civil Cases","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:58","permalink":{"id":277031,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14798,"identifier":"1","token":"8.01\/1","url":"\/8.01\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82903,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-1","catch_line":"How proceedings may be in actions pending when title takes effect","url":"\/8.01-1\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-1","metadata":false},{"id":56606,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-1.1","catch_line":"References to former sections, articles and chapters of Title 8 and other titles","url":"\/8.01-1.1\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-1.1","metadata":false},{"id":80120,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-2","catch_line":"General definitions for this title","url":"\/8.01-2\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-2","metadata":false},{"id":58043,"structure_id":14798,"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","url":"\/8.01-3\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-3","metadata":false},{"id":87298,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4","catch_line":"District courts and circuit courts may prescribe certain rules","url":"\/8.01-4\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4","metadata":false},{"id":80567,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4.1","catch_line":"How jurisdiction determined when proceeding is on penal bond","url":"\/8.01-4.1\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4.1","metadata":false},{"id":78874,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4.2","catch_line":"Who may execute bond for obtaining writ or order","url":"\/8.01-4.2\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4.2","metadata":false},{"id":59734,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4.3","catch_line":"Unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury; penalty","url":"\/8.01-4.3\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":80120,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-2","catch_line":"General definitions for this title","url":"\/8.01-2\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":87298,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4","catch_line":"District courts and circuit courts may prescribe certain rules","url":"\/8.01-4\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-3\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 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 1952, chapter 234; in 1954, chapter 333; in 1972, chapter 856; in 1977, chapter 617; in 1979, chapter 658; in 1984, chapter 524; in 2003, chapter 280<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 688<\/a> and 708<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":78384,"section_number":"16.1-69.32","catch_line":"Rules","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.32\/"},{"id":82440,"section_number":"17.1-503","catch_line":"Rules of practice and procedure; rules not to preclude judges from hearing certain cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-503\/"},{"id":82753,"section_number":"8.01-15.2","catch_line":"Servicemembers Civil Relief Act; default judgment; appointment of counsel","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-15.2\/"},{"id":85648,"section_number":"8.01-286","catch_line":"Forms of writs","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-286\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":78384,"section_number":"16.1-69.32","catch_line":"Rules","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.32\/"},{"id":82440,"section_number":"17.1-503","catch_line":"Rules of practice and procedure; rules not to preclude judges from hearing certain cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/17.1-503\/"},{"id":70782,"section_number":"30-399","catch_line":"Establishment of districts by the Supreme Court of Virginia","order_by":null,"url":"\/30-399\/"}],"permalink":{"id":277045,"object_type":"law","relational_id":58043,"identifier":"8.01-3","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-3","url":"\/8.01-3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-3\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-3","dublin_core":{"Title":"Supreme Court may prescribe rules; effective date and availability; indexed, and annotated; effect of subsequent enactments of General Assembly","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-3","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Supreme Court<\/span>, subject to §§ 17.1-503<\/a> and 16.1-69.32<\/a>, may, from time to time, prescribe the forms of writs<\/span> and make general regulations for the practice in all courts<\/span> of the Commonwealth; and may prepare a system of rules of practice and a system of pleading and the forms of process and may prepare rules of evidence<\/span> to be used in all such courts<\/span>. This section shall be liberally construed so as to eliminate unnecessary delays and expenses. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The Supreme Court<\/span>, subject to § 30-399<\/a>, shall enact rules and procedures as may be necessary for implementing the requirements of Article II, § 6-A of the Constitution of Virginia, empowering the Supreme Court<\/span> to establish congressional or state legislative districts as provided for in that section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> New rules and amendments to rules shall not become effective until 60 days from adoption by the Supreme Court<\/span>, and shall be made available to all courts<\/span>, members of the bar, and the public. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> The Virginia Code Commission shall publish and cause to be properly indexed and annotated the rules adopted by the Supreme Court<\/span>, and all amendments thereof by the Court<\/span>, and all changes made therein pursuant to subsection E. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> The General Assembly may, from time to time, by the enactment of a general law<\/span>, modify or annul any rules adopted or amended pursuant to this section. In the case of any variance between a rule and an enactment of the General Assembly such variance shall be construed so as to give effect to such enactment. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Any amendment or addition to the rules of evidence<\/span> shall be adopted by the Supreme Court<\/span> on or before November 15 of any year and shall become effective on July 1 of the following year unless the General Assembly modifies or annuls any such amendment or addition by enactment of a general law<\/span>. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Supreme Court<\/span>, at any time, may amend<\/span> the rules to conform with any enactment of the General Assembly and correct unmistakable printer’s errors, misspellings, unmistakable errors to statutory cross-references, and other unmistakable errors in the rules of evidence<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> When any rule contained in the rules of evidence<\/span> is derived from one or more sections of the Code of Virginia, the Supreme Court<\/span> shall include a citation<\/span> to such section or sections in the title of the rule. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSUPREME COURT MAY PRESCRIBE RULES; EFFECTIVE DATE AND AVAILABILITY; INDEXED, AND\nANNOTATED; EFFECT OF SUBSEQUENT ENACTMENTS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY (\u00a7 8.01-3)\n\nA. The Supreme Court, subject to §§ 17.1-503 and 16.1-69.32, may, from\ntime to time, prescribe the forms of writs and make general regulations for the\npractice in all courts of the Commonwealth; and may prepare a system of rules of\npractice and a system of pleading and the forms of process and may prepare rules\nof evidence to be used in all such courts. This section shall be liberally\nconstrued so as to eliminate unnecessary delays and expenses.\n\nB. The Supreme Court, subject to § 30-399, shall enact rules and procedures\nas may be necessary for implementing the requirements of Article II, § 6-A\nof the Constitution of Virginia, empowering the Supreme Court to establish\ncongressional or state legislative districts as provided for in that section.\n\nC. New rules and amendments to rules shall not become effective until 60 days\nfrom adoption by the Supreme Court, and shall be made available to all courts,\nmembers of the bar, and the public.\n\nD. The Virginia Code Commission shall publish and cause to be properly indexed\nand annotated the rules adopted by the Supreme Court, and all amendments thereof\nby the Court, and all changes made therein pursuant to subsection E.\n\nE. The General Assembly may, from time to time, by the enactment of a general\nlaw, modify or annul any rules adopted or amended pursuant to this section. In\nthe case of any variance between a rule and an enactment of the General Assembly\nsuch variance shall be construed so as to give effect to such enactment.\n\nF. Any amendment or addition to the rules of evidence shall be adopted by the\nSupreme Court on or before November 15 of any year and shall become effective on\nJuly 1 of the following year unless the General Assembly modifies or annuls any\nsuch amendment or addition by enactment of a general law. Notwithstanding the\nforegoing, the Supreme Court, at any time, may amend the rules to conform with\nany enactment of the General Assembly and correct unmistakable printer’s\nerrors, misspellings, unmistakable errors to statutory cross-references, and\nother unmistakable errors in the rules of evidence.\n\nG. When any rule contained in the rules of evidence is derived from one or more\nsections of the Code of Virginia, the Supreme Court shall include a citation to\nsuch section or sections in the title of the rule.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 8-1, 8-1.1, 8-1.2, 8-86.1; 1950, p. 3; 1952, c. 234;\n1954, c. 333; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 2; 1972, c. 856; 1977, c. 617; 1979, c. 658;\n1984, c. 524; 2003, c. 280; 2012, cc. 688, 708; 2020, Sp. Sess. I, c. 56; 2022,\nSp. Sess. I, c. 1.","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}}