Local Rule Rule 1: Scope and Purpose of Rules
W.D. Va. — General rule
Rule 1. Scope and Purpose of Rules
(a) Application. These rules apply in all civil and criminal cases and other proceedings in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia.
(b) Definitions. So far as applicable, 1 U.S.C. §§ 1 through 5 govern the construction of these rules. "This Court" refers to the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. The words "the Court" or "judge" as used in these rules include any judicial officer sitting in this Court. "Clerk" as used in these rules means the Clerk of this Court or any authorized deputy thereof. Persons appearing pro se are bound by these rules, and any reference to "attorney" or "counsel" applies to pro se parties unless the context requires otherwise.
(c) Amendment. These rules may be amended at any time by this Court, after giving public notice and an opportunity for comment.
(d) Citation. These rules may be cited as W.D. Va. Gen. R., W.D. Va. Civ. R., or W.D. Va. Crim. R., as the case may be.
(e) Effective Date. These rules and amendments thereto take effect as provided in the order of adoption and govern all proceedings thereafter commenced and, insofar as just and practicable, all then pending proceedings.