Source: https://www.allenandallen.com/general-district-court-for-the-personal-injury-trial-lawyer/
Timestamp: 2018-08-20 13:14:19
Document Index: 538241599

Matched Legal Cases: ['§16', 'art 7', 'art 7', '§8', '§16', '§16', '§16']

Virginia Code §16.1-77 sets forth the jurisdictional limits of general district court. The maximum limit for an ad damnum in a personal injury claim, exclusive of interest, is $25,000.00. 3 The court has original exclusive jurisdiction of claims up to $4,500.00. 4 General district courts and circuit courts share concurrent jurisdiction of claims between $4,500.00 and $25,000.00. 5 General district court also has concurrent jurisdiction with small claims court when the amount claimed does not exceed $5,000.00, exclusive of interest. 6 However, attorneys are not allowed to represent clients in small claims court. 7
Part 7A of the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia applies to all proceedings in general district court. Part 7B applies to all civil cases. 8 The rules are fairly short, straightforward and attorneys should familiarize themselves with these rules prior to filing suit. It is also important to keep in mind that most courts also have local rules, 9 so attorneys should check with the local clerk’s office where they intend to file.
– defendant is in default, – defendant waives all objections to the admissibility of evidence,
– defendant is not entitled to notice of any further proceedings, except when service is by posting pursuant to §8.01-296(2)(b) the 10 day notice required by that section shall be complied with (again… mail a copy of the warrant to the defendant when filing to satisfy this requirement), and
– for unliquidated damages, like a personal injury claim, the Court shall hear evidence and fix the amount. 25
The hallmark characteristics of trying a case in general district court is brevity – “short, sweet, and to the point.” Of course, there is no jury in general district court and the judge hearing your case will typically have a full docket with other trials and matters after yours. Therefore, one should always try to reach stipulations, i.e. admitted liability, with defense counsel to expedite the trial process. It is a good idea to take the opportunity to present an opening statement in order to introduce/humanize one’s client to the judge and to highlight the main issues. However, again, the opening, as well as the presentation of the evidence, and closing should be brief. Attorney’s should be prepared as if it were a circuit court jury trial, but be prepared to be brief. A case involving admitted liability and soft tissue injuries should be tried in an hour or less.
If the defendant appeals – then he/she must give bond in an amount and with sufficient surety approved by the judge, or in an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment. 46 The appeal bond must be posted within 30 days from the date of judgment. 47 The court may also allow the plaintiff to increase the amount of the claim above the $25,000.00 jurisdictional limit when the defendant appeals. 48
If the plaintiff appeals – no appeal bond will be required where the defendant has not asserted a counterclaim. 49 Under current law, the plaintiff will not be allowed to use the medical affidavits per §16.1-88.2 if he or she appeals. However, that will change on July 1, 2013. The 2013 Virginia General Assembly made another amendment to §16.1-88.2 which provides that the method for introducing into evidence medical records or reports also applies to appeals to the circuit court regardless of which party appeals. The amendment further provides that this method may only be used by a plaintiff in an appeal to circuit court if the plaintiff has not requested an amount on appeal in excess of the damages sought in the general district court. Also, the claim cannot be increased above the jurisdictional limit if a plaintiff appeals. 50
– It’s less expensive … both in filing fees and being able to avoid costly/time consuming
– It’s faster… both in securing a trial date and trying the case.
– It’s less risky… than facing a conservative/defense oriented jury with a soft injury case.
Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, §16.1-92 – repealed by Acts 2007, c. 869, c1.2.