RD22 - Judicial Council of Virginia 2012 Report to the General Assembly and Supreme Court of Virginia


Executive Summary:
The Judicial Council of Virginia was established by statute in 1930. Council is charged with making a continuous study of the organization and the rules and methods of procedure and practice of the judicial system of the Commonwealth of Virginia, including examining the work accomplished and results produced by the judicial system. See Va. Code § 17 1-703. Providing guidance to the judicial system’s comprehensive planning process is a central component of these responsibilities.

2012 was another busy year. In response to House Joint Resolution 111, the Judicial Council began a study of the jurisdictional capacity of the Court of Appeals of Virginia. After careful review by Judicial Council and the Supreme Court of Virginia and years of effort by interested entities, Rules of Evidence were approved by the Court and codified by the legislature to be effective July 1. The Council heard reports regarding commissioners of accounts and continuing educational opportunities for guardians ad litem. The Judicial Council also recommended one legislative proposal for the 2013 Session of the General Assembly. Finally, the Circuit Court Forms Advisory Committee became a standing committee of Judicial Council during 2012, assuring the judicial policy-making body an oversight role in the process for the creation and revision of uniform circuit court forms.