Va. Sup. Ct. R. 1:5

(a)(1) When used in these Rules, the word “counsel” includes a partnership, a

professional corporation or an association of members of the Virginia State Bar

practicing under a firm name.

(2) When such firm name is signed to a pleading, notice, or brief, the name of at

least one individual member or associate of such firm must be signed to it. Any such

pleading, notice, or brief may be signed electronically or by inclusion of a digital image

of the signature. The electronic signature accompanying the document when filed

constitutes that person’s signature on the document for purposes of Code § 8.01-271.1.

(3) Service on one member or associate of such firm constitutes service on the

firm. Service is not required to be made on foreign attorneys.

(b) “Counsel of record” includes a counsel or party who has signed a pleading in the

case or who has notified the other parties and the clerk in writing that he or she appears in

the case, or has endorsed a draft order of the court as provided in Rule 1:13.

(c) As required by Code § 8.01-271.1, a party who is not represented by an attorney—

including a person confined in a state or local correctional facility proceeding pro se—

must sign every pleading, motion, or other paper that he or she serves or files, and must

state his or her address. Any such pleading, notice, or paper may be signed electronically

or by inclusion of a digital image of the signature. The electronic signature accompanying

the document when filed constitutes that person’s signature on the document for purposes

of Code § 8.01-271.1.

(d) (1) Counsel of record may not withdraw from or terminate appearances in a case

except by (i) leave of court after notice to the client of the time and place of a motion for

leave to withdraw, or (ii) pursuant to the provisions in subpart (f)(4) of this Rule.

(2) Any order permitting withdrawal must state the name, Virginia State Bar

number, office address and telephone number of the attorney or law firm being

substituted as counsel of record for the party, along with any electronic mail (email)

address and any facsimile number regularly used for business purposes by such counsel;

or

(3) if replacement counsel is not being designated at the time of withdrawal by an

attorney or law firm, the order permitting withdrawal must state the address and

telephone number of the formerly represented party for use in subsequent mailings or

service of papers and notices, and the pro se party will be deemed counsel of record.

(e) As required by Code §§ 8.01-319(A) and 16.1-88.03, any party not represented

by counsel who has made an appearance in the case must promptly file with the clerk of

the court in which the action is pending a written statement of his or her place of

residence and mailing address, and must inform the clerk in writing of any changes of

residence and mailing address during the pendency of the action. The clerk and all parties

to the action may rely on the last written statement filed as aforesaid.

(f) Limited Scope Appearance; Notice; Service; Completion or Termination of

Appearance.

(1) Notice of Limited Scope Appearance by a Qualified Legal Services Provider.

In any civil court proceeding an attorney may, prior to or simultaneous with the

proceeding, file and serve on all parties a notice of limited scope appearance (A) stating

that the attorney is (i) employed by a qualified legal services provider, as defined in

Section IV, Paragraph 3(f) of the Rules for Integration of the Virginia State Bar, Part Six

of the Rules of Court (hereafter “QLSP”), or (ii) acting pro bono on a direct referral from

a QLSP; (B) stating that the attorney and the party have a written agreement that the

attorney will make a limited scope appearance in such action; and (C) specifying the

matters, hearings, or issues on which the attorney will appear for the party.

(2) Limited Scope Appearance by Leave of Court. Any attorney not proceeding

under subpart(f)(1) of this Rule may seek leave of court to make a limited scope

appearance in any civil case. If such leave is granted, the appearance will be governed by

the notice requirements of subparts(f)(1)(B) and (C) of this Rule, the service and

unrepresented party provisions of subpart (f)(3), and the completion or termination

provisions of subpart (f)(4).

(3) Service of Papers After Notice. For the duration of the limited scope

appearance as provided in this Rule, service of all papers must be made upon both the

attorney making such limited scope appearance and the party on whose behalf the

appearance is made, who will be considered an unrepresented party.

(4) Completion or Termination of Limited Scope Appearance.

(A) Notice of Completion of Limited Scope Appearance. — An attorney who has

completed the obligations identified in a notice of limited scope appearance must file a

notice of completion of limited scope appearance. The notice must be accompanied by a

declaration by the attorney that counsel’s obligations under the limited scope appearance

agreement have been satisfied, and must be (i) endorsed by the party on whose behalf the

limited scope appearance was made, and (ii) served on all counsel and any unrepresented

parties. Upon the filing of the notice of completion of limited scope appearance, the

attorney is deemed to have ceased appearances in the matter.

(B) Termination of Limited Scope Appearance. — If the party on whose behalf the

limited scope appearance was made cannot or will not endorse the notice of completion

of limited scope appearance, the attorney may file a motion to terminate the limited scope

appearance, serve it on all parties, and afford seven days for objection. If an objection is

filed, the court may hold a hearing to determine whether the attorney’s obligations under

the notice of limited scope appearance have been met. If the court finds that the

attorney’s obligations under the notice of limited scope appearance have been met, it

must grant the motion to terminate the limited scope appearance.

(C) Replacement Counsel or the Party Acting Pro Se. — If replacement counsel is

not being designated at the time of the attorney’s completion of limited scope appearance,

the notice of completion of limited scope appearance or order permitting termination of

limited scope appearance must state the address and telephone number of the party on

whose behalf the limited appearance was made for use in subsequent mailings or service

of papers and notices, and said party will be deemed self-represented.

(5) Limited Scope Appearance for a Single District Court Hearing. If the matters,

hearings, or issues on which the attorney will appear for the party are limited to one court

appearance in General District Court or Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court,

an attorney meeting the criteria in subpart (f)(1) may, prior to or simultaneous with the

appearance, file and serve on all parties a notice of limited scope appearance for a single

District Court hearing. The notice of limited scope appearance for a single District Court

hearing serves as both a notice of appearance and notice of completion of limited scope

appearance. The limited scope appearance will automatically conclude at the end of the

District Court hearing. The completion or termination of limited scope appearance

requirements outlined in subpart (f)(4) do not apply to a limited scope appearance for a

single District Court hearing. Nothing will preclude an attorney from making more than

one limited scope appearance.

(6) Local Counsel or Covering Docket Calls. Nothing in this subpart (f) will apply

where a party is represented for all purposes by counsel of record and another attorney

appears in lieu of counsel of record for a particular proceeding or docket call.