Part Seven A: General District Courts – In General · Last amended 2021 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceRule 7A:9 requires leave of court to amend a pleading once it has been filed, directs courts to grant that leave liberally in furtherance of justice, and allows the court to set conditions for notice and a chance to respond when it grants leave to amend.
Full Text of Rule 7A:9
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No amendment may be made to any pleading after it is filed with the clerk, except by leave of court. Leave to amend should be liberally granted in furtherance of the ends of justice.
In granting leave to amend, the court may make such provision for notice thereof and opportunity to make response as the court may deem reasonable and proper.
Plain-English Summary
Rule 7A:9 governs changes to a pleading after it has already been filed with the clerk. Once that happens, an amendment requires leave of court — a party cannot revise a filed pleading on their own. The rule tells courts how to exercise that gatekeeping role: leave to amend should be granted liberally, in furtherance of the ends of justice, rather than treated as a hurdle to be cleared only in unusual circumstances.
When a court does grant leave to amend, Rule 7A:9 gives it room to attach conditions. The court may provide for whatever notice of the amendment and opportunity to respond it considers reasonable and proper, protecting the other parties’ chance to address the new or changed allegations before the case moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my pleading after I have already filed it in General District Court?
Only with leave of court. Rule 7A:9 states that no amendment may be made to a pleading after it is filed with the clerk except by leave of court.
How readily do courts grant leave to amend a pleading under Rule 7A:9?
The rule directs that leave to amend should be liberally granted in furtherance of the ends of justice, favoring amendment over rigid enforcement of the original pleading.
If the court allows me to amend my pleading, does the other side get notice?
The court decides. Rule 7A:9 allows the court, in granting leave to amend, to make whatever provision for notice and opportunity to respond it deems reasonable and proper.
Does Rule 7A:9 apply before or after a pleading has been filed?
It applies after filing. The leave-of-court requirement in Rule 7A:9 governs amendments made once the pleading is already on file with the clerk.
What happens if I amend a pleading without asking the court first?
Rule 7A:9 conditions any post-filing amendment on leave of court, so an amendment made without that leave does not comply with the rule.
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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