All appeals must be noted in writing. An appeal is noted only upon timely receipt in the clerk's office of the writing. An appeal may be noted by a party or by the attorney for such party. In addition, in civil cases, an appeal may be noted by a party's regular and bona fide employee or by a person entitled to ask for judgment under any statute.
Rule 7A:13.What Constitutes Noting an Appeal.
Part Seven A: General District Courts – In General · Last amended 2021 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceRule 7A:13 requires an appeal to be noted in writing, treats it as noted only when the clerk’s office timely receives that writing, and allows the notation to come from the party, the party’s attorney, or, in civil cases, a regular employee or a person entitled to seek judgment.
Full Text of Rule 7A:13
Plain-English Summary
Rule 7A:13 fixes what it takes to note an appeal from a General District Court judgment. Nothing oral counts — the appeal must be noted in writing, and it becomes effective only when the clerk’s office timely receives that writing. A party who tells the judge in open court that they intend to appeal has not yet noted an appeal under this rule; the writing has to reach the clerk’s office within the time allowed.
The rule is also specific about who can do the noting. A party can note their own appeal, as can the attorney representing that party. Rule 7A:13 goes further for civil cases, allowing a party’s regular and bona fide employee to note the appeal, or a person who is entitled under some statute to ask for judgment in the case. That broader list reflects the range of people who may be handling paperwork for a party in General District Court, where many litigants are not represented by counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tell the judge orally that I want to appeal, or does it have to be in writing?
It has to be in writing. Rule 7A:13 states that all appeals must be noted in writing; an oral statement of intent to appeal does not satisfy the rule.
When is an appeal considered noted under Rule 7A:13?
Only upon timely receipt of the writing in the clerk’s office. The appeal is not noted merely because the writing was signed, mailed, or prepared — the clerk’s office has to receive it within the time allowed.
Who is allowed to note an appeal on a party’s behalf?
The party or the party’s attorney, and in civil cases, Rule 7A:13 also allows the party’s regular and bona fide employee or a person entitled under a statute to ask for judgment.
Does Rule 7A:13 allow anyone besides an attorney to note an appeal in a civil case?
Yes. In civil cases, a party’s regular and bona fide employee, or a person entitled by statute to ask for judgment, may note the appeal in addition to the party or the party’s attorney.
Does this broader list of who can note an appeal apply to criminal or traffic cases too?
No. Rule 7A:13 limits the broader category — a regular and bona fide employee or a statutorily entitled person — to civil cases; in other case types, the appeal must be noted by the party or the party’s attorney.
Amendment History
Last amended by Order dated November 23, 2020; effective March 1, 2021.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia, published by the
Supreme Court of Virginia. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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