The Supreme Court may promulgate rules establishing standards for audio-visual equipment and guidelines for taking and using audio-visual depositions.
§ 8.01-412.6.Promulgation of rules for standards and guidelines.
Chapter 14. Evidence · Article 6.1. Uniform Audio-visual Deposition Act · Last amended 1983 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceThis section gives the Supreme Court of Virginia authority to promulgate rules establishing technical standards for the equipment used to record audio-visual depositions, along with guidelines for how such depositions are taken and used, leaving the details flexible enough to keep pace with changing recording technology over time.
Full Text of § 8.01-412.6
Plain-English Summary
Statutes rarely try to keep pace with camera and recording technology on their own, so § 8.01-412.6 hands that job to the Supreme Court of Virginia instead. The Court may promulgate rules establishing standards for the audio-visual equipment used in depositions, and guidelines for taking and using audio-visual depositions more broadly.
That delegation gives the rules flexibility that a fixed statute would not have — as recording technology changes, the Supreme Court can update its rules and guidelines without needing new legislation each time. Litigators handling audio-visual depositions should check the Court’s rules alongside this article, since the two work together to define what a compliant audio-visual deposition looks like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who sets the technical standards for equipment used in audio-visual depositions?
The Supreme Court may promulgate rules establishing standards for audio-visual equipment.
Does the Supreme Court also issue guidance on how to take and use these depositions?
Yes, the Court may also promulgate guidelines for taking and using audio-visual depositions.
Is the Supreme Court required to issue these rules?
No, the statute says the Court “may” promulgate such rules, making it discretionary rather than mandatory.
Where would a party find the specific equipment standards referenced by this section?
In the rules the Supreme Court promulgates under this section, separate from the text of the statute itself.
Why does this section leave equipment standards to the Supreme Court rather than setting them in the statute?
Delegating the standards to the Court allows them to be updated through the rulemaking process as recording technology changes, without requiring new legislation each time.
Amendment History
1983, c. 305.
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 supreme court rules audio visual depositionva code 8.01-412.6video deposition equipment standards virginiadeposition recording guidelines virginia supreme court