Civil Department

General Information:

  • Civil cases are typically disputes between two or more parties involving monetary damages, divorce, determination of property ownership, and appeals from the District Courts and Administrative Agencies.
  • The Circuit Court has exclusive jurisdiction for civil claims above $25,000 and concurrent jurisdiction with the General District Court for civil claims from $4,500 to $25,000.

When filing a civil case in the Circuit Court, the plaintiff must ensure pleadings are prepared properly with the Rules of the Supreme Court and VA Code, the Circuit Court does not have many "forms" for use by litigants.

Case Initiation:

  • Initial civil complaints are not accepted through email.  All other pleadings after the initial complaints can be emailed to the clerk's office through [email protected].  If you email your pleadings, please do not mail them as well.
  • File the Proper documents to initiate the proceeding
  • File a Civil Cover Sheet
  • Submit the Correct Filing Fee
  • Submit service requests and copies (if applicable)

Please use the Civil Fee Calculator provided by the Supreme Court to determine your filing fee. (Service fees are an additional $12 per party being served.)


Motions & Term Day:

Motions:

  • All Motions are set at 9:00 a.m for a 30 minute hearing. Please contact  Judge's chambers at 540-507-7623 or 540-507-7624 if you require more than 30 minutes.
  • Motions for Courtroom #1 are heard on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month
  • Motions for Courtroom #2 are heard on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month
  • In the event of a holiday please contact the clerk's office at 540-507-7614 for a new date.

Term:

  • 3rd Monday of every January, April, July, and October at 9:00 a.m.
  • In the event of a holiday please contact the clerk's office at 540-507-7614 for a new date.
  • Notices must be filed 10 business days in advance.

Pendente Lite: 

These hearings are conducted on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:00 a.m., please contact chambers at 540-507-7623 or 540-507-7624 for an available date.