The latest news and cases from the Supreme Court of Virginia
">Roanoke judge eyes Supreme Court seat Posted in Justices on Feb 28th, 2011
Roanoke City Circuit Judge Clifford R. Weckstein again will stand for election to the Supreme Court of Virginia, he confirmed Monday. Weckstein, the Roanoke Valley’s most senior judge, entered the running for one of two seats now vacant on the court. Weckstein previously sought a Supreme Court post in 2008 when an opening was created [...]
">Kinser presides over Supreme Court’s argument week Posted in Justices on Feb 28th, 2011
Cynthia D. Kinser began her first argument session as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia today by asking for a moment of silence for her predecessor, Justice Leroy Rountree Hassell Sr., who died barely a week after Kinser succeeded him on Feb. 1. “It’s a sad day as we start our first session [...]
">Prior approval for suits by frequent flyer upheld Posted in Unpublished Orders on Feb 25th, 2011
A Chesterfield County circuit judge properly dismissed actions filed by a disbarred attorney with a history of filing frivolous suits because he had not sought leave of court before filing them, the Supreme Court of Virginia ruled today in an unpublished order. In addition to ordering Michael J. Morrissey to pay $15,000 for filing an [...]
">House wants more Supreme Court candidates Posted in Justices on Feb 21st, 2011
A press release from Del. Dave Albo, chairman of the House Courts of Justice Committee, underscores the uncertainty surrounding the replacement of two justices on the Supreme Court of Virginia – and for filling possible lower courts vacancies as well. The release notes, as we reported last week, that the House Republican caucus has voted [...]
">AG: Court need not identify justices who denied appeal Posted in Appeals Dismissed, Justices on Feb 18th, 2011
Writ panels of the Supreme Court of Virginia are within their authority to cloak their identities, according to an opinion from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Cuccinelli responded to an inquiry from Del. James Shuler, D-Blacksburg, who related the frustration of a curious litigant. The litigant received the typical order denying an appeal, signed on behalf [...]
">McClanahan gets vote of House GOP for Supreme Court seat Posted in Justices on Feb 17th, 2011
The Republican House caucus has selected Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth A. McClanahan as the party’s candidate for the first of two Supreme Court vacancies, Del. Ben Cline, R-Amherst, said. The decision means McClanahan is likely to be certified by the GOP-controlled House Courts Committee to the House floor next week. “Judge McClanahan is a [...]
">Court to rehear case decided in September Posted in Civil Cases, Writs Granted on Feb 15th, 2011
Indemnification agreements in construction contracts and just what they mean for the parties and their insurers is challenging material for the best lawyer, so you folks who bothered to read and comprehend Uniwest Construction Inc. v. Amtech Elevator Services Inc. back in September should have a sense of satisfaction. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to [...]
">Court short-handed for writ panels Posted in Justices on Feb 15th, 2011
The Supreme Court of Virginia is grappling with a lack of bench strength. The court was able to muster only two three-justice panels rather than the usual three today to hear about 80 10-minute arguments in support of petitions for appeal. In the best of times, the court would have seven justices plus four senior [...]
">Court holds attorney could collect fees Posted in Unpublished Orders on Feb 11th, 2011
The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled today in an unpublished order that a trial judge erred in dismissing the effort of an Arlington attorney to collect his fees in one of two cases in which he represented a woman. In the first case, Ernest P. Francis defended the woman in an action against her by [...]
">Supreme Court candidates to appear on Wednesday Posted in Justices on Feb 4th, 2011
The House and Senate Courts of Justice Committees will interview candidates to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court of Virginia on Wednesday. The interviews will begin at the end of the noon meeting of the two houses. They were scheduled for the day after crossover because it typically is a light day for the [...]
