Supreme Court Approves Amendments to Rule 6.5 Regarding Limited Legal Services Programs
May 16, 2025
Ordered on May 16, 2025, and effective July 15, 2025, the Supreme Court of Virginia amended Rule of Professional Conduct 6.5.
Read the Court's Order.
Proposed | Amendments to Rule 6.5 Regarding Limited Legal Services Programs
March 7, 2025
At its meeting on March 1, 2025, in Richmond, the Virginia State Bar Council approved the proposed amendments to Rule 6.5, Nonprofit and Court-Annexed Limited Legal Services Programs. A petition was sent to the Supreme Court of Virginia for approval on March 6, 2025.
View the petition to the Court.
January 28, 2025
Pending approval by VSB Council at its March 1, 2025, meeting.
Proposed | Amendments to Rule 6.5 Regarding Limited Legal Services Programs
November 22, 2024
The Virginia State Bar seeks public comment on proposed amendments to Rule 6.5, Nonprofit and Court-Annexed Limited Legal Services Programs.
The proposed amendments to paragraph (a) and Comment [1] clarify that a program to provide court-appointed counsel at first appearance and/or same-day bail hearings in criminal cases is within the scope of the rule and that a lawyer is not required to conduct a conflict check before providing the short-term limited legal services.
This proposal was developed in response to a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) report on Indigent Criminal Defense and Commonwealth’s Attorneys issued in November 2023. The report recommended that the VSB Legal Ethics Committee study limited representation at first appearances and same-day bail hearings and, if appropriate, refer a rule of professional conduct on limited representation at first appearances and same-day bail hearings for review and approval by VSB Council.
Inspection and Comment
The proposed rule amendments may be inspected below, or at the office of the Virginia State Bar, 1111 East Main Street, Suite 700, Richmond, Virginia 23219-0060, between the hours of 9 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Any individual, business, or other entity may submit written comments in support of or in opposition to the proposed rule amendments with Cameron M. Rountree, executive director of the Virginia State Bar, not later than January 10, 2025. Comments may be submitted via email to [email protected].
View proposed amendments to Rule 6.5 (pdf)