Court of Appeals of Virginia

The Court of Appeals of Virginia is the commonwealth’s intermediate appellate court, established in 1985. Its administrative headquarters and clerk’s office are in Richmond, and it serves litigants across Virginia. The court hears civil and criminal appeals, principally reviewing decisions made by the state’s circuit courts. Cases are generally considered by panels of three judges, with procedures for briefs, oral arguments and written opinions. The court reviews the existing trial record and legal issues rather than conducting new trials or hearing witnesses. Its clerk’s office manages filings, dockets, records and communications needed to support appellate review.