HERE
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
OF WEST VIRGINIA
___________________
ORDER
___________________
IN RE: WEST VIRGINIA TRIAL COURT RULES
WHEREAS, uniform trial court rules have long been a priority for the Supreme Court of Appeals; and
WHEREAS, a recent survey of State Bar members ranked uniform rules as a high priority; and
WHEREAS, the Commission on the Future of the West Virginia Judicial System recently recommended that the Supreme Court adopt rules ensuring uniformity; and
WHEREAS, a committee of Circuit Judges developed and recommended to the Supreme Court
comprehensive
West Virginia Trial Court Rules; and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court received numerous and extensive comments on the proposed Trial
Court
rules; and
WHEREAS, further review of the Trial Court Rules would be beneficial; and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court encourages circuit judges and local bar associations to meet
for the purpose of
discussing the Trial Court Rules;
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the West Virginia Trial Court Rules as presented by the Committee of Judges are adopted, effective July 1, 1999, except for Rules 22.03, 23.03, 31.01, 31.02, and 42.03, which are remanded pending further public comment and review by the Committee of Judges; and
IT IS
FURTHER ORDERED that there be an additional period for review and comment, extending to
March 1,
1999; and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Circuit Judges' Committee on the Trial Court Rules consider the comments submitted and, no later than May 14, 1999, recommend to the Supreme Court and revisions the Committee determines to be necessary or appropriate, and
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that circuit courts that desire to have local rules must submit proposed rules to the Supreme Court no later than March 1, 1999; and
IT IS
FURTHER ORDERED that, upon the Trial Court Rules becoming effective on July 1, 1999, the
following
existing rules be abrogated; Rules of Procedure for Court-Annexed Mediation in the Circuit
Courts of West Virginia;
Trial Court Rules for Trial Courts of Record; Rules on Time Standards for Circuit Courts;
Rules for Resolution of Court
Scheduling Conflicts; Rules Governing Camera Coverage of Courtroom Proceedings; Rules for
Filing and Service of
Facsimile Transmission; and Rule on Mass Litigation Panel and Procedure.
ENTER on this 14th day of December 1998.
Robin Jean Davis
CHIEF JUSTICE
To Submit Comments Concerning The Proposed
West Virginia Trial Court Rules Click