(a)Scheduling argument. – If requested in writing by either party, or if the circuit court wishes to hold argument without request, the circuit court shall set forth a date and time for oral argument in the granting order as required by Rule 31(c). (b)Argument. – Counsel for appellant, or appellant unrepresented by counsel, shall be entitled to open and close the argument, and shall be allotted twenty minutes to open and ten minutes to close. Counsel for appellee, or appellee unrepresented by counsel, shall be allotted twenty minutes. A party is not obliged to use all of the time allotted, and the circuit court may terminate argument whenever in its judgment further argument is unnecessary. The family court judge shall not be required to attend oral argument. Oral argument proceedings shall not be open to the public.
W. Va. R. Prac. & P. Fam. Ct. 33
Amended by order adopted November 27, 2001, effective January 1, 2002 and by order entered and effective December 1, 2005.
