VACES Exhibit Filing Guide
Virginia circuit courts use VJEFS, which accepts PDF documents up to 10 MB each, so exhibit file sizes need careful management.
- VACES is the electronic filing system for Virginia courts.
- The VACES file size limit is 10 MB.
- The primary accepted file format on VACES is PDF format required.
- The official VACES portal is at https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/vaces/home.do.
- ExhibitPrep applies exhibit stamps entirely in the browser, so case files never leave the user’s computer.
- ExhibitPrep includes 29 court-ready stamp templates covering plaintiff, defendant, deposition, and joint exhibit designations.
- ExhibitPrep’s Trial Binder Mode builds exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1–A5), and an auto-generated table of contents.
VACES Requirements
Va. SCR 4:1 Discovery
Discovery scope and limits. Parties must disclose documents to be used at trial per pretrial procedures.
Va. SCR 4:9 Production
Documents must be produced as kept in usual course of business or organized by request categories.
10 MB File Size Limit
Virginia circuit-court e-filing through VJEFS accepts PDF documents up to 10 MB each. Requires careful file size management.
Business Docket
Fairfax and Arlington Counties have Business Docket for complex commercial disputes with specialized procedures.
Accepted File Formats
- • PDF format required
- • 10 MB per file limit
- • VJEFS for most civil cases in participating circuit courts
- • Text-searchable recommended
Common VACES Filing Issues
10 MB Limit Exceeded
VJEFS accepts PDF documents up to 10 MB each. Compress images more aggressively or split exhibits into more files.
Exhibit List Missing
Va. SCR 4:13 governs pretrial procedures. Exhibit lists are due per the pretrial scheduling order; the Uniform Pretrial Scheduling Order sets 15 days before trial. Check your scheduling order.
Production Format Wrong
Virginia requires documents produced as kept in usual course of business unless requesting party specifies organization by request categories per Va. SCR 4:9.
Notice Pleading Insufficient
Virginia has strong notice pleading requirements. Ensure exhibits support factual allegations in pleadings.
🆕 New: Trial Binder Mode for Multi-Exhibit Filings
Filing multiple exhibits with VACES? Use Trial Binder Mode to create court-ready exhibit books with alphabetic labels (A, B, C), per-exhibit page numbering (A1-A5), and auto-generated table of contents. Great for complex filings with numerous exhibits.
Learn about Trial Binder ModeWhy Use ExhibitPrep for VACES?
ExhibitPrep prepares embedded exhibit labels for your review. Inspect the export against the current VACES requirements before you upload.
Va. SCR Review
Prepare embedded exhibit labels, then compare the exported PDF with the current Virginia Supreme Court Rules requirements.
File Size Monitoring
ExhibitPrep shows file sizes to help you stay under the VJEFS 10 MB per-document limit.
Business Docket Ready
Works with Fairfax and Arlington Business Docket procedures.
Discovery Support
Stamp exhibits for production and trial in compliance with Va. SCR 4:9.
How to Prepare Exhibits for VACES
Upload exhibits under 10 MB
Ensure each document is under the VJEFS 10 MB limit. Compress or split as needed.
Select Virginia template
Choose P-# for plaintiffs or D-# for defendants per Virginia convention.
Add stamps and check file size
Position stamps and preview. Monitor file sizes for 10 MB compliance.
Download stamped exhibits
Export PDFs under 10 MB each, ready for VJEFS submission.
Upload to VACES portal
Log in to eapps.courts.state.va.us/vaces and upload exhibits.
VACES Guides by Practice Area
Practice-specific filing requirements and exhibit tips for VACES.
Frequently Asked Questions about VACES
What is the VACES file size limit?
VJEFS, the circuit-court e-filing system, accepts PDF documents up to 10 MB each. Compress images or split larger exhibits so each PDF stays at or under 10 MB. Plan file sizes carefully when preparing exhibits for Virginia courts.
Is VACES mandatory in Virginia?
Circuit courts use VJEFS, which allows electronic filing of most civil cases in participating circuit courts; confirm your clerk's requirements.
What is Virginia Business Docket?
Fairfax County Circuit Court and Arlington County Circuit Court have Business Docket programs for complex commercial cases. Business Docket offers specialized judges with commercial law expertise, expedited scheduling, and streamlined procedures. Cases must meet minimum thresholds for complexity and amount in controversy.
When are exhibit lists due in Virginia?
Per Va. Where the Uniform Pretrial Scheduling Order under Virginia Rule 1:18 applies, exhibit lists are exchanged 15 days before trial. Check your case-specific scheduling order for exact deadlines. Pretrial orders vary by court and case type.
How do I mark exhibits in Virginia courts?
Virginia typically uses P-1, P-2, P-3 for plaintiffs and D-1, D-2, D-3 for defendants. Exhibits should be organized and marked according to pretrial order requirements. Virginia strong notice pleading tradition means exhibits should clearly support factual allegations.
ExhibitPrep formats documents; it does not provide legal advice or filing approval. Some guidance remains unverified. Citations support only their stated claims and scope. Review the finished files against current court instructions and case orders before filing. Check requirements and the finished PDF before filing.