Since the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia (“the Court”) released the March 12,
2020 COVID-19 Planning Document, the COVID-19 pandemic response has evolved to meet the
task. The Court has taken all necessary steps to both address the pandemic and allow access to the
courts through the issuance of protocols, multiple administrative orders, and several internal
guidance documents. These actions were designed to protect the health of court system employees, litigants, witnesses, jurors, attorneys, and the public, and to also support and encourage federal state, and local public health officials in mitigation efforts.
On April 14, 2020, the national Center for Disease Control (“CDC”) and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) issued guidance entitled “Opening Up America
Again.” 1 These guidelines recommend a three-phased approach for states with a “downward
trajectory” of COVID-19 cases over a fourteen (14) day period, ample hospital capacity, and a
robust testing program. On April 27, 2020, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced West
Virginia’s reopening plan, which includes a multi-phased reopening protocol for public and private
employers.
WV Supreme Court of Appeals Pandemic Response Documents
The following documents are being issued to govern operations by courts throughout the State of West Virginia in order to protect the health and well-being of court employees, litigants, witnesses, jurors, attorneys, and the general public. Check back regularly for updates and new documents.
- 5-6-20 Re: Resumption of Operations
- 4-24-20 Re: Temporary Order Regarding Civil Litigation and Rules of Civil Procedure in Circuit Court
- 4-22-20 Judicial Emergency Declared – Second Amended Order
- 4-3-20 Judicial Emergency Declared – Amended Order
- 3-22-20 Judicial Emergency Declared
- 3-16-20 Administrative Order
- 3-12-20 COVID-19 Planning Document
