King and Queen 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

• Terms begin, 2nd Tuesday, Feb., Apr., June, Aug., Oct., & Dec.
• Grand Juries, 1st day of Term.
• Should a Term Day fall on a legal holiday as set forth in Section 2.1-21, Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, the Term Day will be on the following day.
• Praecipes must be filed seven days preceding Civil Term Day.
• Civil cases 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.
• King and Queen Circuit Court mails orders through the postal service to the attorneys and pro se litigants within 5 business days of the orders being signed by the Judge.