Rule 18.01 Application Generally

This rule sets the basic ground rules for how court cases work in West Virginia. It covers every type of case handled in three different courts: circuit court, family court, and magistrate court.

What this means for you is simple. No matter which of these three courts your case is in, the same basic rules apply. Whether you have a criminal case, a civil lawsuit, a divorce, a child custody matter, or a small claims dispute, the same foundational rules cover your proceedings.

This helps keep things consistent across the state. You won't face completely different basic procedures just because your case landed in one court instead of another. The specific details of your case will still depend on what type of matter it is, but the general framework stays the same across circuit court, family court, and magistrate court.