Bill > HB1485

This bill increases the maximum number of judges on the Court of Appeals of Virginia from 17 to 21, allowing for more judicial capacity. It also establishes that the Supreme Court of Virginia will determine by rule the specific number of judges required for the Court of Appeals to sit "en banc," which means all judges of the court would hear a case together, and this number will be at least 13 judges, with a specific breakdown of how those judges are assigned to ensure both the original panel and a randomized selection of other judges participate. Furthermore, the bill allows the Court of Appeals to summarily affirm a lower court's decision in certain civil cases, meaning they can uphold the original ruling without a full review if the appeal is deemed to have no merit, thereby streamlining the judicial process for less complex civil matters.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1485