March 11, 2020
COVID-19 Updates and Safety Measures
FAQs from the Court of Appeals of Virginia for attorneys, pro se litigants, and the public regarding COVID-19 operation changes, general guidance, and up-to-date information may be found here.
Local court COVID information from across the Commonwealth may be found here.
MCLE:
Programs via teleconference or webcast where there is an opportunity to interact with the speaker in real time qualify as live interactive CLE. Make sure any course you take indicates it is approved for Virginia live interactive credit. Contact the course sponsor with any questions. A partial list of already approved teleconference and webcast CLE courses is available on the MCLE page under Current Virginia Approved Courses.
January 5, 2023, update
Masks Required at Federal Courthouse Effective January 9, 2023
December 20, 2022, update
Supreme Court of Virginia Announces Building Protocols Effective Immediately
May 31, 2022, update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Fortieth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until June 22, 2022.
May 2, 2022, update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirty-ninth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until June 1, 2022.
April 15, 2022, update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirty-eighth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until May 11, 2022.
March 25, 2022, update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirty-seventh Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until April 20, 2022.
March 4 Update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirty-sixth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until March 30, 2022.
February 11, 2022, update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirty-fifth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until March 9, 2022.
February 1, 2002 update
The Court of Appeals of Virginia issued its Seventh Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID.
January 20, 2022, update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirty-fourth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until February 16, 2022.
January 12, 2022, update
On January 10, 2022, Governor Ralph Northam signed Executive Order 84, declaring a limited state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Virginia due to COVID-19. Consequently, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board ORDERED that the proceedings set for hearing before the Board on January 24, 2022, and January 28, 2022, shall be conducted via video conferencing, utilizing the Microsoft Teams platform. Additional VSB meetings may be held virtually until February 11, 2022, (unless the order is rescinded beforehand) without a quorum of the public body physically assembling.
January 3, 2022, update
The Supreme Court of Virginia will hear oral argument remotely for January session.
December 29 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirty-Third Judicial Emergency Order due to Covid, in effect until January 26, 2022.
December 10 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirty-Second Judicial Emergency Order due to Covid, in effect until January 5, 2022.
December 8 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued a statement to the bench and bar of Virginia announcing a return to in-person oral argument effective January 1, 2022.
November 18 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirtieth First Judicial Emergency Order due to Covid, in effect until December 15.
October 25 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Thirtieth Judicial Emergency Order due to Covid, in effect until November 24.
October 5 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-Ninth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until November 3.
September 20 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-Eighth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until October 13.
August 26 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-Seventh Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until September 22.
August 23 update
The health and safety of our staff and members of the Bar continues to be a priority. Due to the rapid and large surge of cases associated with the Delta variant, the Virginia State Bar WILL NOT reopen to the public on September 7th as planned. The office will remain closed to visitors who have not made prior arrangements until further notice. If you need to reach a staff person, please send an email or call the appropriate contact person.
August 13 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia has made oral arguments scheduled for its September 2021 Session of Court to remote proceedings due to an increase in COVID cases.
August 4 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-Sixth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until September 1.
July 7 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-Fifth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until August 11.
June 29 update
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-Fourth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until July 21.
June 29 update
The Court of Appeals of Virginia issued its Sixth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until further order.
June 25 update
The VSB offices will fully reopen to the public on September 7.
June 15 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-Third Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until July 11.
June 14 update:
Bar Office Remains Closed to the Public
May 26 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-Second Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until June 20, 2021.
May 17 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia amended its Twenty-First Judicial Emergency Order concerning new mask protocols from the CDC and Governor Northam.
May 3 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twenty-First Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until May 30, 2021.
April 12 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Twentieth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until May 9, 2021.
April 9 update:
Henrico and Richmond Lawyers and Legal Employees Now Eligible for COVID Vaccine
March 15 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Nineteenth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until April 18, 2021.
March 2 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Eighteenth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until March 28, 2021.
February 22 update:
The Court of Appeals of Virginia issued its Fifth Judicial Emergency Order due to COVID, in effect until June 30, 2021.
February 8 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Seventeenth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through March 7, 2021.
January 19 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Sixteenth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through February 14, 2021.
January 12, 2021, update:
Lawyers are eligible for vaccinations in Phase 1c of the CDC and VDH COVID-19 innoculation schedules.
December 21, 2020, update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Fifteenth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through January 24, 2021.
December 3 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Fourteenth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through January 3, 2021.
November 23 update:
The Court of Appeals of Virginia issued its Fourth Order concerning COVID-19, in place through April 30, 2021.
November 9 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its thirteenth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through December 13, 2020.
October 19 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its twelfth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through November 1, 2020.
September 28 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its eleventh Judicial Emergency Order, in place through November 1, 2020.
September 4 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its tenth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through October 11, 2020.
August 31 update:
The Court of Appeals of Virginia issued its third order, extending its June 23, 2020, second order until December 31, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 20 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its ninth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through September 20, 2020.
August 7 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia amended its eighth Judicial Emergency Order in regard to evictions.
July 28 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its eighth Judicial Emergency Order, in place through August 30, 2020.
July 8 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its seventh Judicial Emergency Order, in place through August 9, 2020.
June 23 update:
The Court of Appeals of Virginia issued its second order extending its March 18, 2020, order until further notice as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 22 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia issued its Sixth Judicial Emergency Order, effective until July 19, 2020.
June 22 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia has amended its Fifth Judical Emergency Order to allow courts to immediately begin hearing eviction and unlawful detainer proceedings unrelated to the failure to pay rent.
June 8 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia has amended its Fifth Judicial Emergency order to immediately suspend all unlawful detainer actions and writs of eviction through the duration of the emergency order, June 28, 2020.
June 2 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia enourages all attorneys and litigants to electronically file pleadings and other documents with the Court that would normally be required in hard copy.
June 1 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia has issued a Fifth Order modifying and extending the Declaration of Judicial Emergency through June 28.
May 27 update:
Governor Ralph Northam has signed Executive Order 63 requiring face coverings in public indoor settings beginning May 29, and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Full details here.
May 12 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia has amended the Fourth Judicial Emergency Order on May 12, 2020 regarding court hearings. Full details here.
May 6 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia has extended the Judicial Emergency until June 7, 2020. Full details here.
April 22 update:
The Supreme Court of Virginia has extended the Judicial Emergency until May 17, 2020 by unanimous Order. More information here.
April 21 update:
Supreme Court of Virginia to Hold June Bar Admissions Ceremony Remotely. More.
April 16 update:
Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting Canceled Due to COVID-19 Pandemic. Read more.
April 14 update:
Supreme Court of Virginia Offers Extensions to Deadlines Governing Lawyers Due to COVID-19 Pandemic. The Court’s modifications affect deadlines for dues, the Clients’ Protection Fund fee, MCLE, certification of professional liability insurance, and the attorney wellness fund fee. The extensions move all deadlines from July 31, 2020, to September 30, 2020, and October 31, 2020, to December 31, 2020. Read more.
April 3 update:
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that all oral arguments scheduled for the April 2020 Session of Court (April 14-17, 2020), at the Supreme Court of Virginia will be handled by telephone pursuant to the attached Order of the Supreme Court of Virginia. These oral arguments are open to the public. Links to the audio of the proceedings will become live on each morning at 9:00 am. Please continue to check this document for links to the audio and to the dockets.
April 1 update:
MCLE hours and live requirement still in effect for 2020. Information on these FAQs here.
March 31 update:
Lawyers are permitted to practice during Stay at Home order. More information here.
March 30 update:
Governor Ralph Northam today issued a temporary statewide Stay at Home order to protect the health and safety of Virginians and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The executive order takes effect immediately and will remain in place until June 10, 2020, unless amended or rescinded by a further executive order.
View Executive Order 55 (PDF)
The VSB will continue operating at reduced capacity.
March 29 update:
The Virginia State Bar’s office will be open March 30, operating at reduced capacity, after closing March 24-27 due to health concerns with the spread of COVID-19.
The VSB continues to provide essential services to Virginia’s lawyers and the public. However, we have taken steps to keep the health and safety of our members, employees, and the general public at the forefront of our actions during this rapidly changing situation. Accordingly, many in-person services will be reduced or suspended.
The VSB office at 1111 E. Main Street is closed to visitors. If you need to reach a staff person, please send an email or call the appropriate contact person.We strongly urge the use of electronic communication to assist us in providing services to protect the public. Read more.
Update March 28, 2020:
On March 27, 2020, the Supreme Court of Virginia issued an order extending the judicial emergency response to the COVID-19 emergency beginning April 6 through April 26, 2020, for all district and circuit courts of the Commonwealth.
View the Court's order (PDF)
Update March 27, 2020:
The Virginia State Bar’s office will be open March 30, operating at reduced capacity, after closing March 24-27 due to health concerns with the spread of COVID-19. The VSB continues to provide essential services to Virginia’s lawyers and the public. However, we have taken steps to keep the health and safety of our members, employees, and the general public at the forefront of our actions during this rapidly changing situation. Accordingly, many in-person services will be reduced or suspended. Read more.
Update March 24, 2020:
The Virginia State Bar’s office will be closed until March 30 due to health concerns with the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to evaluate the situation and will announce any additional information on our website.
Update March 23, 2020:
COVID-19 Appellate and Local Court Information
Orders, notices, and procedures from appellate and local courts about emergency operations due to COVID-19. Posted to the the website of Virginia's Judicial System as of 3/20/20.
Updates March 20, 2020:
The Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia have issued a clarification of the tolling of appellate deadlines which was posted today on the Virginia’s Judicial System website here.
In order to ensure prompt receipt and review of complaints the Virginia State Bar encourages the public to submit bar complaints online.
Update March 18, 2020:
The Court of Appeals has issued an order outlining changes in response to the COVID-19 emergency.
View the Court of Appeals order (PDF)
Update March 16, 2020:
The Supreme Court of Virginia has issued an order declaring a judicial emergency in response to the COVID-19 emergency.
View the Court's order (PDF)
Update March 16, 2020:
Due to potential health concerns related to the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus disease) and out of an abundance of caution, the Virginia State Bar has decided to cancel some meetings and events. See the meetings and events page for information on specific meetings.
Governor Ralph Northam has directed state agencies to limit in-person meetings and non-essential, work-related gatherings. We will continue to evaluate whether to cancel, postpone, hold electronically, or hold as scheduled other meetings on an ongoing basis. We will work to reschedule meetings. Thank you for your understanding.
The Virginia State Bar is closely monitoring the developing COVID-19 (novel coronavirus disease). Our priority is the safety of our members, our staff, and our community. If the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health deem it necessary to cancel or modify scheduled events, we will communicate these changes to you as soon as possible via our website and email.
The VSB leadership has not yet made a decision to cancel the Annual Meeting scheduled for June 17-20, 2020. The Governor’s emergency declaration expires June 10, 2020. Given current circumstances, the decision has been made to delay opening registration for the Annual Meeting while we await further developments. We are monitoring the situation as to events taking place beyond June 10. The status of all meetings will be updated on the events page of the VSB website.
We are committed to providing you the highest quality service and we will continue to stay informed about the situation to ensure we follow recommended measures to promote healthy environments for all.
For further information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and the Virginia Department of Health.
Edited. Originally posted 2020-03-11 09:38 AM.
Updated: Feb 08, 2023