Chapter 10. Dockets · Last amended 2005 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-331 requires the circuit court clerk to enter every commenced or removed civil action on the civil docket, in a bound book, card index, or electronic form, recording the suit’s style, the attorneys’ names, the nature of the action, and the filing date and case number, with room for additional optional details.
When any civil action is commenced in a circuit court, or any such action is removed to such court and the required writ tax and fees thereon paid, the clerk shall enter the same in the civil docket. These dockets may be either (i) a
substantial, well-bound loose-leaf book, (ii) a visible card index or (iii) automated data processing media. Each case shall be entered on the civil docket, on which shall be entered:
In addition the docket may contain the following information applicable in an individual case as deemed appropriate:
1.The names of the parties,
2.The date of the issuance of process,
3.A memorandum of the service of process,
4.A memorandum of the orders and proceedings in the case, and
5.The hearing date(s) and type(s) of hearing(s) conducted on such date(s).
The clerk may enter the clerk's fees in the case on such docket instead of in the fee book.
Cases appealed from the juvenile and domestic relations district courts shall be docketed as provided in this section and, to the extent inconsistent with this section, § 16.1-302.
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-331 is the housekeeping statute behind every circuit court’s civil docket. When a civil action is commenced in circuit court, or removed there and the writ tax and fees are paid, the clerk must enter the case on the civil docket, which may take the form of a substantial, well-bound loose-leaf book, a visible card index, or automated data processing media.
Every case entry must include the short style of the suit or action, the names of the attorneys, the nature of the suit, and the date filed along with the case file number. Beyond those required fields, the docket may also include, as deemed appropriate case by case, the names of the parties, the date process issued, a memorandum of service of process, a memorandum of orders and proceedings, and the hearing dates and types conducted. The clerk may also record fees on the docket rather than in a separate fee book, and cases appealed from juvenile and domestic relations district courts are docketed under this section together with §16.1-302 where the two are inconsistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What form can the civil docket take?
A substantial, well-bound loose-leaf book, a visible card index, or automated data processing media.
What information must appear on every docketed case?
The short style of the suit, the names of the attorneys, the nature of the suit, and the date filed and case file number.
What optional information may the docket also include?
The parties’ names, the date process issued, a memorandum of service of process, a memorandum of orders and proceedings, and the hearing dates and types conducted.
Can the clerk record fees on the docket instead of a separate fee book?
Yes, the clerk may enter fees on the docket rather than in the fee book.
Do appeals from juvenile and domestic relations district courts get docketed under this section?
Yes, as provided here, and, to the extent inconsistent, under §16.1-302.
Amendment History
Code 1950, §§ 8-160, 8-165; 1954, c. 333; 1956, c. 307; 1977, c. 617; 1983, c. 293; 1990, c. 258; 2005, c. 681.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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