RulesofCivilProcedure.com Civil Procedure · Every State

Rule 8:9.Discretion of Court.

Part Eight: Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 16, 2026

In one sentenceRule 8:9 lets the court review and correct what happens in the clerk’s office and extend the time for filing pleadings, even after the time has run.

Full Text of Rule 8:9

Text size

All steps and procedures in the clerk's office touching the filing of pleadings and the maturing of suits or actions may be reviewed and corrected by the court.
The time allowed for filing pleadings may be extended by the court in its discretion, and such extension may be granted although the time fixed already has expired.
End

Plain-English Summary

Two sentences, both about the court keeping control of its own process. All steps and procedures in the clerk’s office touching the filing of pleadings and the maturing of suits or actions may be reviewed and corrected by the court.

The time allowed for filing pleadings may be extended by the court in its discretion — and the rule is explicit that an extension may be granted although the time already fixed has expired. The power is not confined to requests made while the clock is still running.

The rule carries no trailing amendment order in the source, which makes it one of a small number of Part Eight rules with no recorded amendment history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the court correct something done in the clerk’s office?

Yes. All steps and procedures in the clerk’s office touching the filing of pleadings and the maturing of suits or actions may be reviewed and corrected by the court.

Can the time for filing a pleading be extended?

Yes, by the court in its discretion.

Can an extension be granted after the time has already run out?

Yes. The rule states that an extension may be granted although the time fixed already has expired.

Is the extension power limited to particular pleadings?

The rule speaks generally of the time allowed for filing pleadings, without confining it to a category.

Does Rule 8:9 have an amendment history?

The official compilation carries no amendment order line for this rule, so no amendment history is shown.

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
Also known as: virginia rule 8:9 discretion of court juvenileextend time for filing pleadings juvenile court virginiacourt may correct clerk office procedures virginiaextension after time expired virginia juvenile court