Rule 2.Terminology
Current through December 29, 2025 · Last verified July 8, 2026
Full Text of Rule 2
Amendment History
The West Virginia Judiciary’s compiled text of this ruleset carries no amendment order for this rule. For the adopting orders and any later amendments, see the West Virginia Judiciary’s compiled rules page.
Plain-English Summary
Everything in this ruleset runs on the definitions in Rule 2, and they are given as a single running paragraph rather than a numbered list.
The most useful ones are about cross-references. "The Code" is the Code of West Virginia. A reference to a rule with no ruleset named — "Rule 6" — means a rule of these Family Court Rules. A reference to a named ruleset, such as the Rules of Civil Procedure, means West Virginia's rules of that title. "Court" covers the circuit court and the family court both, while "supreme court of appeals" and "intermediate court of appeals" each mean the West Virginia court of that name.
Several definitions carry practical weight. "Approved or required" means approved or required by the supreme court of appeals — so a form or fee scale described that way is a statewide one. "Service" means service of process under the Rules of Civil Procedure. "Party" is deliberately elastic: it indicates a self-represented party, a represented party, and/or the attorney for a party, as fits the particular usage. "Family court final order" means an appealable order entered by a family court judge. And singular and plural are read interchangeably wherever that is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a bare reference to "Rule 6" mean in these rules?
A rule of the West Virginia Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Court. A reference that names a ruleset, such as the Rules of Civil Procedure, means West Virginia's rules of that title.
Who is a "party" under these rules?
A self-represented party, a represented party, and/or the attorney for a party, as appropriate to the particular usage.
What does "court" mean?
The circuit court and or the family court. Where a rule means one specifically, it names it.
What is a "family court final order"?
An appealable order entered by a family court judge.
What does "approved or required" signify?
A form, fee scale, order, or procedure approved or required by the supreme court of appeals — that is, a statewide requirement rather than a local one.