Virginia Court of Appeals
| Court of Appeals of Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1985 |
| Country |
Virginia  , United States 
|
| Location | Virginia |
| Composition method | Legislative election |
| Authorized by | Va. Code § 17.1-400 |
| Decisions are appealed to | Supreme Court of Virginia |
| Judge term length | 8 years |
| No. of positions | 11 |
| Website | Court of Appeals |
| Chief Judge | |
| Currently | Glen A. Huff |
| Since | 2015 |
| Lead position ends | 2019 |
The Court of Appeals of Virginia, established January 1, 1985, is an eleven-judge body that hears appeals from decisions of Virginia's circuit courts and the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. The Court sits in panels of at least three judges, and sometimes hears cases en banc. Appeals from the Court of Appeals go to the Supreme Court of Virginia.
The need for expanded appellate capacity was first recognized in 1971. The report of the Virginia Court System Study Commission, composed of distinguished legislators and members of the bench and bar, recommended a reorganization plan for a unified court system. The Commission, chaired by former Chief Justice Lawrence W. I'Anson, recognized the need for an intermediate appellate court in Virginia which would absorb the bulk of review of circuit court appeals, while preserving the Supreme Court as a single body concentrating on the development of the law.
In 1978, a comprehensive study of the Virginia court system conducted by the National Center for State Courts also recommended that the appellate capacity of the Virginia courts be increased by creating an intermediate Court of Appeals. In 1982, the Judicial Council of Virginia proposed legislation for a twelve judge intermediate appellate court. Finally, in 1983, the General Assembly created the Court of Appeals of Virginia, effective January 1, 1985. E. Ballard Baker was the first chief judge of the Court of Appeals of Virginia.
Since the establishment of the Court of Appeals, appellate capacity has increased 38.8%. The number petitions acted upon has risen each year, achieving the desired goal of increasing appellate capacity in the court system.
The Court of Appeals consists of eleven judges who are elected for eight year terms by a majority of the members of each house of the General Assembly. If a vacancy occurs while the General Assembly is not in session, the Governor may appoint a successor to serve until thirty days after the commencement of the next session of the legislature.
The chief judge of the Court of Appeals is elected by a majority vote of the judges of the Court of Appeals to serve a term of four years. The Chief Judge designates where the Court of Appeals will sit in order to provide convenient access to the citizens of the various geographic areas of the state. The Court normally sits in four locations: Alexandria, Chesapeake, Richmond and Salem.
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