Rule 49.  Accelerated appeal for child abuse and neglect and termination of parental rights cases

Appeals of orders under W.Va. Code § 49-4-601, et seq., are governed by the Revised Rules of Appellate Procedure. Within thirty (30) days of entry of the order being appealed, the petitioner shall file a notice of appeal, including required attachments and copies, with the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, with service provided as prescribed by the Rules of Appellate Procedure. All parties to the proceeding in the court from which the appeal is taken, including the guardian(s) ad litem for the minor children, shall be deemed parties in the Supreme Court of Appeals, unless the appealing party indicates on the notice of appeal that one or more of the parties below has no interest in the outcome of the matter. An appeal must be perfected within sixty (60) days of entry of the order being appealed. The circuit court from which the appeal is taken or the Supreme Court of Appeals may, for good cause shown, by order entered of record, extend such period, not to exceed a total extension of two months, if the notice of appeal was properly and timely filed by the party seeking the appeal. The filing of any motion to modify an order shall not toll the time for appeal. The Supreme Court of Appeals shall give priority to appeals of child abuse and/or neglect proceedings and termination of parental rights cases and shall establish and administer an accelerated schedule in each case, to include the completion of the record, briefing, oral argument, and decision.