The Supreme Court, on the petition of a party, shall rehear and review any case decided by such court if one of the justices who decides the case adversely to the petitioner certifies that in his opinion there is good cause for such rehearing. However, a notice of a petition for rehearing shall be filed as provided by the Rules of Court and the petition for rehearing shall be filed within thirty days after the entry of the judgment with the clerk, who shall note the date of such filing on the order book. The judgment resulting from any such rehearing shall be entered forthwith by the clerk who shall transmit a certified copy thereof to the clerk of the court below, to be entered by him as provided by § 8.01-685.
§ 8.01-675.2.Rehearing.
Chapter 26. Appeals to the Supreme Court · Article 4. The Petition · Last amended 1984 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-675.2 allows the Supreme Court to rehear a decided case if a justice who ruled against the petitioner certifies good cause exists, provided the petition for rehearing is filed with the clerk within thirty days of the judgment’s entry.
Full Text of § 8.01-675.2
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-675.2 opens a limited path back into a case the Supreme Court has already decided. The Court must rehear and review the case, on a party’s petition, if one of the justices who decided it against the petitioner certifies that, in his opinion, good cause exists for a rehearing.
Getting there takes more than the certification alone. A notice of the petition for rehearing must be filed as the Rules of Court provide, and the petition itself has to reach the clerk within thirty days after the judgment’s entry, with the clerk noting the filing date on the order book.
If the rehearing changes the outcome, the resulting judgment is entered by the clerk without delay, and a certified copy is transmitted to the clerk of the court below, to be entered there under § 8.01-685.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask the Supreme Court to rehear my case after it rules against me?
Yes, by petition, but only if one of the justices who decided the case against you certifies that, in his opinion, there is good cause for a rehearing.
How long do I have to file a petition for rehearing?
Within thirty days after the entry of the judgment.
Who certifies that a rehearing is warranted?
One of the justices who decided the case adversely to the petitioner.
What happens to the judgment that results from a rehearing?
The clerk enters it forthwith and transmits a certified copy to the clerk of the court below, to be entered under § 8.01-685.
Do I need to file a separate notice before the petition for rehearing itself?
Yes. A notice of the petition for rehearing must be filed as provided by the Rules of Court.
Amendment History
1984, c. 703.
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: petition for rehearing virginia supreme court30 days rehearing virginia supreme court8.01-675.2 rehearing certificationvirginia supreme court reconsideration