State rules amended for amicus brief filings

New rules are in effect regarding non-parties that file amicus briefs in
the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia.
Effective Aug. 17, under the amended rules, except when the brief is filed by the
United States of America or the Commonwealth of Virginia, an amicus brief
filed in the Supreme Court of Virginia or the Court of Appeals of Virginia must include a statement indicating if any of the following conditions apply.
Those conditions are: a party’s counsel authored all or part of a brief; whether a party or a party’s counsel contributed money intended to fund preparing or
submitting the brief; whether a person, other than the amicus curiae, its members, or its counsel, contributed money intended to fund preparing or submitting the brief, and if so, those involved must be identified.
An amicus brief is considered timely if filed no later than seven days after the principal brief or filing of the party supported. An amicus brief in support of neither party is timely if filed within seven days after the opening brief or petition. An amicus curiae may not file a reply brief except by the court’s permission.
The amicus brief changes are among several state Supreme Court rule amendments that recently took effect.