Civil procedure includes the procedures and rules that govern civil (non-criminal) litigation in state and federal courts. Many states have rules of civil procedure written by the state supreme court, for example, and other states include their rules of procedure in state statutes enacted by the state legislature.
In Virginia, civil procedure is governed by a combination of state statutes and rules established by the Supreme Court of Virginia. The Virginia Code outlines various statutes that address aspects of civil litigation such as limitations of actions, venue, service of process, and appeals. Additionally, the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia provide detailed procedures for civil cases, including filing requirements, pretrial procedures, trial conduct, and post-trial motions. These rules are designed to ensure fairness and efficiency in the legal process and are regularly updated to reflect changes in the law or legal practice. Federal courts in Virginia, on the other hand, follow the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which are uniform across all federal courts in the United States.