Virginia. Court of Appeals

The Court of Appeals was established January 1, 1985 to handle mainly civil matters. Ten judges are elected for terms of eight years. No judge, while sitting on the Court, is permitted to practice law. From their rank, the judges will elect a chief judge who will serve a four-year term. The judges sit in panels of at least three judges each. Each panel shall hear the petitions for appeal and appeals granted in criminal cases and any other cases assigned to them. Appeals may be heard on any decision of the Industrial Commission of Virginia, any final judgment, order, or decree of a circuit court involving affirmance or annulment of marriage, divorce, control or disposition of a child, adoption, or any other domestic relation matter cited under Title 16.1 or Title 20 of the Virginia Code, and any final decision of a circuit court on appeal from a decision of an administrative nature.