CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – In following with the proclamation issued by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, Chief Justice William R. “Bill” Wooton has issued an administrative order declaring Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, as full-day judicial holiday for offices operating within the West Virginia Judicial System.
The order applies to all judicial offices and judicial employees operating under the authority, supervision or control of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, including the Intermediate Court of Appeals and magistrate, family and circuit court offices statewide.
The chief circuit judge of each judicial circuit is instructed to take necessary measures to ensure access to magistrate court services during the holiday period.
Circuit judges, family court judges and magistrates will have the discretion to move forward with time-sensitive matters already scheduled on their docket as they deem necessary.
Individuals or parties with proceedings that were scheduled for Jan. 2 should check with the office of the circuit judge, circuit clerk, family court or magistrate staff to inquire about the status of their proceedings and whether they will be rescheduled if they have not yet been notified of any changes.
The Friday judicial holiday is in addition to the half-day New Year’s Eve state personnel holiday on the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 31, and full-day New Year’s Day state holiday on Jan. 1, 2026. Court offices observing this timetable will close for regular business at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and reopen on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
