Finding Legal Forms
This research guide provides information on forms available in the Richmond Public Law Library as well as forms freely available online. Most forms serve as models containing proper phrases, terminology, and other details required to create formal legal documents. They must be tailored to meet individual needs and specific requirements of the jurisdiction where they will be used.
These requirements are contained in court rules, statutes, and sometimes, case law. The Code of Virginia and The Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia (the court rules for Virginia) also provide the text of some sample forms. Form books typically give you an overview of relevant procedures and instructions, often citing to the underlying primary law.
Various National and Virginia Legal Forms:
Gale Legal Forms online
Court Rules
Virginia Court Rules can be found online at Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia
They are also available in print in the Richmond Public Law Library:
- Volume 11 of the Code of Virginia
- Virginia Rules Annotated, call number KFV 2929.A198
- Virginia Court Rules and Procedure, Volume I – State, Volume II – Federal, Volume III – Local: call number KFV 2929.A2 V57
Court Forms
It is a good idea to check with the court to determine if it provides a relevant form. Start with the link to Court Forms on the Virginia Courts website
Form Books
There are 2 basic types of legal forms: (1) litigation/practice/procedural forms to be filed with the court (such as complaints, answers, and counterclaims); and (2) transactional/substantive forms, which are often between parties and create a legally enforceable agreement (such as contracts, wills, leases, powers of attorney, etc).
Print Sources of Forms Available in the Richmond Public Law Library:
- Virginia Forms: Multi-volume set published by LexisNexis containing both practice and transactional forms for use in Virginia
- Virginia Practice Series: Covers many areas of Virginia law with sample forms in print & on disc
- Virginia CLE Publications: Broad coverage of Virginia law with sample forms in print & on disc
- American Jurisprudence Pleading and Practice Forms: Comprehensive practice forms, national in scope
- American Jurisprudence Legal Forms: contains thousands of both state and federal transactional forms
Westlaw Online Legal Research:
Must be used in the Main Library building.
Lexis Advance:
- Virginia Legal Forms
- Virginia Personal Injury Forms
Free Online Sources of Court Forms:
Virginia Court Forms
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia
Bankruptcy Courts
National Bankruptcy Court Forms
Local:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Forms for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Forms for the Western District of Virginia
State Agencies:
Virginia Government Agency Forms
Various National and Virginia Legal Forms: