Upon conclusion of deliberations and rendering of an opinion by the panel, all documentary evidence submitted to the panel, a transcript of the ore tenus hearing, if any, and a copy of the written opinion of the panel shall be filed in the office of the clerk. The record shall be maintained until the action is completed in the circuit court. Upon completion of the action, the clerk of the trial court shall include a copy of the panel record along with the record of the case.
§ 8.01-581.4:1.Assembly of record.
Chapter 21.1. Medical Malpractice · Article 1. Medical Malpractice Review Panels; Arbitration of Malpractice Claims · Last amended 1993 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceAfter the panel deliberates and issues its opinion, the clerk files the documentary evidence, any hearing transcript, and the written opinion as a record that stays on file until the underlying case concludes, at which point it becomes part of the permanent case record.
Full Text of § 8.01-581.4:1
Plain-English Summary
Once the panel finishes its work, this section tells the clerk what to do with everything the panel considered. All documentary evidence submitted to the panel, a transcript of the oral hearing if one was held, and a copy of the panel’s written opinion get filed with the clerk of the court where the underlying case is pending.
That record doesn’t disappear once the panel is done — it stays in place until the malpractice action itself is completed in circuit court. At that point, the clerk folds a copy of the panel record into the case record, so the two travel together for whatever purposes come next, including appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents get filed with the clerk after the panel finishes its work?
All documentary evidence submitted to the panel, a transcript of the ore tenus hearing if one was held, and a copy of the panel’s written opinion.
How long is the panel record kept?
Until the underlying action is completed in the circuit court.
What happens to the panel record once the case ends?
The clerk of the trial court includes a copy of the panel record along with the record of the case.
Is a hearing transcript always part of the assembled record?
Only if an ore tenus, or oral, hearing was held.
Who is responsible for filing and keeping the panel record?
The office of the clerk where the underlying malpractice action was filed.
Amendment History
1986, c. 227; 1993, c. 928.
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
Also known as: virginia medical review panel record filingassembly of medical malpractice panel record virginia