Summary
Although the Supreme Court of Virginia possesses both original and appellate jurisdiction, its primary function is to review decisions of lower courts. Virginia does not allow an appeal to the Supreme Court as a matter of right except in cases involving the State Corporation Commission, the disbarment of an attorney, and review of the death penalty.
The Court’s original jurisdiction is limited to cases of habeas corpus (ordering one holding custody to produce the detained person before the Court for the purpose of determining whether such custody is proper), mandamus (ordering the holder of an office to perform his duty), prohibition (ordering a public official to stop an action), and actual innocence (based on biological testing) . The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction in matters filed by the Judicial Inquiry and Review Commission relating to judicial censure and retirement, and removal of judges.
About
Contact
Locations
Clerks
100 North Ninth Street, 5th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219-1315
Phone: (804) 786-2251
Web
Welcome to the Supreme Court of Virginia
Useful links
Calendar
Shows dates the Court will be in session and conducting Writ Panels
Office of Chief Staff Attorney
Forms
Information Regarding Petitions for Appeal Docketed for a Writ Panel Hearing
Information Regarding Pending Appeals that Have Been Granted
- Appeals Granted
Cases are removed from this list after decisions are issued by the Court - Argument Docket
Posted approximately two weeks before each session - Argument Schedule
Posted approximately two weeks before each session - Counsel in Decided Cases
Posted for most recently issued opinions - Audio Recordings of Oral Arguments
Beginning with cases heard January 7, 2014
Opinions
- By Date Issued (since 6/9/95)
Effective immediately, the Supreme Court of Virginia will no longer hold opinions for release during a session of Court following oral argument. Instead, opinions will be released when deemed ready by the Justices and will typically be issued and posted on the Court’s website on a Thursday. - Opinions Search
Search opinions from the Supreme Court of Virginia (6/9/95 – present) and the Court of Appeals of Virginia (published opinions from 5/2/95 – present, and unpublished opinions from 3/5/02 – present)
Unpublished Orders
Unpublished orders for cases that were argued before the full court are posted to this page. Click on a case name to bring up further information about that appeal.
Petitions for Rehearing
Must be filed electronically unless being filed pro se by a prisoner or with leave of Court in accordance with the Rules of the Supreme Court applicable to such rehearings.
Resources and Reference Materials
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Provides basic information about the requirements of the ADA as they pertain to Virginia’s Judicial System, including how to request an accommodation. - Code of Virginia
- Instructions for Qualification as Corporate Counsel Before this Court
- Instructions for Attorneys Arguing Granted Cases Before the Court
- Media Policies for Coverage of Arguments in the Supreme Court of Virginia
- Procedures for Obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing from the Clerk of the Supreme Court
- Supreme Court of Virginia Computers in the Courtroom Policy
- Supreme Court of Virginia Informational Pamphlet
