New Kent Circuit Court

9th Judicial Circuit of Virginia

Circuit Courts Informational Pamphlet

Judges

• Hon. Benjamin Elliott Bondurant, Presiding Judge
• Hon. Holly B. Smith, Chief Judge
• Hon. Joshua P. DeFord
• Hon. Richard H. Rizk
• Hon. Jeffrey W. Shaw

Terms of Court and General Information

• Court convenes: 9:00 a.m.
• Terms begin, 2nd Monday Jan; 3rd Monday Mar., May, July, Sept., & Nov.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Term at 9:00 a.m.
• Praecipes must be filed by seven days preceding civil term day.
• Civil cases are set for trial by conference call with the Judge.
• Instructions must be submitted 2 days prior to trial.
• Commissioners in Chancery are rarely used and only at request of attorneys.
• Local Rules adopted pursuant to Section 8.01-4 for divorce cases.
• Final civil orders are distributed using email and/or regular mail with postage paid self addressed envelopes provided by the parties.