More Appellate Practice news More news in Virginia Find Appellate Practice lawyers in Virginia
In a move to streamline the appellate process and make it more accessible to litigants, the Virginia Appellate Court has announced the implementation of a new online filing system. As of August 31, 2025, attorneys can now electronically submit their briefs, motions, and other documents through the court's website, eliminating the need for paper filings.The new online filing system comes as a welcome change for many attorneys, who have long been frustrated by the cumbersome and time-consuming process of filing paper documents in person or by mail. Now, attorneys can simply upload their documents to the court's secure portal and receive an electronic confirmation of their filing within minutes."This new online filing system is a game-changer for appellate practice in Virginia," said Sarah Johnson, an appellate attorney with Smith & Smith Law Firm. "It not only saves us time and resources, but it also allows us to track the status of our filings in real-time, which is crucial when working on tight deadlines."In addition to streamlining the filing process, the new online system also offers enhanced security features to protect sensitive information. Attorneys can securely upload encrypted documents and communicate with the court through a secure messaging system, ensuring the confidentiality of their legal filings."We are thrilled to introduce this new online filing system to the Virginia legal community," said Chief Justice Thomas Williams. "By embracing technology, we are making the appellate process more efficient and accessible for all parties involved. We believe this will ultimately lead to quicker resolutions and a more effective justice system."The Virginia Appellate Court is encouraging attorneys to take advantage of the new online filing system and provide feedback on its functionality and user experience. The court has also announced plans to expand the system to include electronic scheduling of oral arguments and other court events in the near future.Overall, the implementation of the new online filing system marks a significant step forward for appellate practice in Virginia, bringing the court system into the digital age and making the appellate process more efficient and user-friendly for all parties involved.