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Litigation & Dispute Resolution 2019 | USA – Virginia | ICLG
USA – Virginia: Litigation & Dispute Resolution 2019
The ICLG to: Litigation & Dispute Resolution Laws and Regulations - USA – Virginia covers common issues in litigation and dispute resolution laws and regulations – including preliminaries, before commencing proceedings, commencing proceedings, defending a claim, joinder & consolidation and duties & powers of the courts – in 45 jurisdictions.
ICLG.com > Practice Areas > Litigation & Dispute Resolution > USA – Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia has both federal and local court systems. The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (“District Courts”) are the federal courts for Virginia. The Virginia General District Court (courts in 32 districts) is the trial court level for the Commonwealth of Virginia, with the Virginia Circuit Courts (120 courts divided among 31 judicial circuits), the Court of Appeals of Virginia (an 11-judge body that hears appeals from decisions of Virginia’s Circuit Courts), and the Supreme Court of Virginia (the highest court in the Commonwealth) standing as the appellate courts. Both the District Courts and Virginia local courts have similar, but not identical, rules of civil procedure known as the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (“FRCP”) and the Code of Virginia, Titles 8.01 and 16.1 (“Va. Code”), respectively. Virginia’s civil procedure also includes case law, statute books, and Rules of Court, particularly the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia, which are applied in the lower courts.
The federal District Court is a court of limited jurisdiction, and appeals from its final judgments may be taken as a matter of right to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (“Fourth Circuit”). The Virginia General District Courts are courts of limited jurisdiction (generally dealing with cases with a ceiling of $15,000 in private damages) and Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction, and appeals from final judgments of these courts relating to land, condemnation of property, wills, appointments of guardians or conservators, taxes, or interlocutory orders or decrees in any case on an equitable claim may be presented to the Supreme Court of Virginia, which is the highest local court in this jurisdiction. See Va. Code §§ 8.01-669 through 675.2. Appeals as of right may be taken by the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Id. §§ 8.01-675.3 through 675.4. The United States Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear appeals from both the Fourth Circuit and the Supreme Court of Virginia, but such appeals are generally not as of right, and may only be heard if the Supreme Court elects to do so. The Eastern District Court in Virginia (“E.D.Va.”) is generally considered a specialist court, as it is known as the “rocket docket” for the speed with which cases progress. Cases average 11 months from “file to trial” in E.D.Va., which is much faster than most other courts in the United States.
The main stages for civil proceedings in both the District Courts and local courts are: (1) initial pleadings (complaint, motions to dismiss, answer, counterclaims, etc.); (2) discovery; (3) alternative dispute resolution; (4) summary judgment; (5) pre-trial motions; (6) trial; (7) post-trial motions; and (8) appeal.
Forum selection clauses are presumptively enforceable in Virginia (in both local and federal courts) unless a party contesting the clause proves it is unreasonable. See, e.g., Atlantic Marine Constr. Co., Inc. v. United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, 134 S. Ct. 568, 187 L. Ed. 2d 487, 500 (2013) (“When the parties have agreed to a valid forum-selection clause, a district court should ordinarily transfer the case to the forum specified in that clause”); The Hipage Co., Inc. v. Access2Go, Inc., 589 F. Supp. 2d 602, 607-09 (E.D. Va. 2008); Paul Business Sys., Inc. v. Canon U.S.A., Inc., 397 S.E. 2d 804, 807 (Va. 1990) (“[C]ontractual provisions limiting the place or court where potential actions between the parties may be brought are prima facie valid and should be enforced, unless the party challenging enforcement establishes that such provisions are unfair or unreasonable, or are affected by fraud or unequal bargaining power”).
As a general matter, each side will bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees. A limited amount of costs may be imposed on the losing party by the court, and other costs and attorneys’ fees may be imposed by the court on a party as a sanction for misconduct. See FRCP 37, 54, 58; Va. Code § 8.01-271.1.
Contingency fees and conditional fees are generally permitted, but the terms of such arrangements are governed by the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, which are the ethical rules that govern lawyers. As to funding litigation, please see the answer to question 1.7.
Only those causes of action for damage to real or personal property are assignable in Virginia local courts. See Va. Code § 8.01-26. The Virginia Code makes clear that it does not prohibit any injured party or his estate from making a voluntary assignment of the proceeds or anticipated proceeds of any court award or settlement as security for new value given in consideration of a voluntary assignment. As for financing, Virginia has identified numerous ethical issues and limitations in such arrangements. Limitations include the lack of privilege for communications with non-party financiers, the need for attorneys representing the party to be independent in running the case, and a prohibition on sharing attorneys’ fees.
Subject to the restrictions set forth in the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct and the limitations described in the answer to question 1.7, a party may obtain insurance or other security to pay for its legal costs. However, such an arrangement cannot impact the independence exercised by counsel for the party.
No. A plaintiff may initiate a civil action by filing a complaint with the court. FRCP 3. In Virginia local courts, a party may plead as many matters as necessary when commencing an action. Va. Code § 8.01-272.
The limitation periods for bringing a claim (known as the “statute of limitations”) vary depending upon the type of claim. Generally speaking, the statute of limitations begins to run when the claim accrues. Statutes of limitations are generally treated as a procedural issue.
A plaintiff initiates a civil action by filing a complaint with the court. FRCP 3. The complaint must then be served on the defendant along with a summons. FRCP 4. Acceptable methods of service vary depending on the nature of the defendant and the defendant’s location. Generally speaking, service is effective when the complaint is received by the defendant through one of the methods permitted by Rule 4. Service outside the United States can be effectuated by service permitted by international agreement or local (foreign) law. FRCP 4(f). Service through the Hague Convention of Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents is the preferred method of service for defendants located outside the United States (in those countries that are part of the Hague Convention). If service is outside of the United States in a country that is not part of the Hague Convention, the party may petition the court for issuance of a letter rogatory. Federal courts require a party or non-party filing anything with the court to redact sensitive personally identifiable information. FRCP 5.2. In Virginia, a party pleads his or her claims and generally must complete service within a year (or show that plaintiff has exercised due diligence in attempting to serve the defendant). Va. Code § 8.01-275.1. Service may be completed by delivering a copy of the pleading to the party in person, by delivering it to the party’s “usual place of abode”, or by posting a copy at the front door of the “place of abode”. Va. Code §§ 8.01-296. If service cannot be affected in these ways, then service by order of publication may be appropriate under certain circumstances.
Although rarely used, it is possible to take pre-action discovery to perpetuate testimony. FRCP 27(a); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:2(a). A party wishing to do so may file a petition with the court, and the Court must permit the discovery if it is satisfied that perpetuating the testimony will prevent a failure or delay of justice.
In federal court, a pleading that states a claim for relief, such as a complaint or counterclaim, must contain a short and plain statement of the grounds for the court’s jurisdiction, the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and a demand for the relief sought. FRCP 8(a). Allegations of fraud and mistake must be stated with particularity. FRCP 9(b). In Virginia, a party may plead as many matters as necessary when commencing an action. Va. Code § 8.01-272.
In federal court, pleadings may be amended once as of right within a certain time after service, or subsequently only by agreement of the parties or with the court’s leave. FRCP 15. In both federal and local courts, the court should give leave to amend freely when justice so requires. FRCP 15; Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 1:8 and Va. Code § 8.01-6.1; Ahari v. Morrison, 654 S.E.2d 891 (Va. Cir. Ct. 2008) (standard for an amendment of pleadings is whether defendant will be prejudiced and will that prejudice affect defendant’s ability to have a fair trial).
In federal court, a plaintiff may dismiss its claims as a matter of right if the defendant has not served an answer or moved for summary judgment. FRCP 41. Otherwise dismissal requires the consent of all parties or an order of the court. Unless otherwise stated, a dismissal is without prejudice, but if the plaintiff previously dismissed any federal or state action based on the same claim, the second dismissal functions as an adjudication on the merits. In Virginia local courts, a party can only voluntarily dismiss his pleadings before a motion to strike the evidence has been sustained or before the jury retires from the bar or before the action has been submitted to the court for decision. Va. Code § 8.01-380. Voluntary dismissal of this kind is subject to the tolling provisions for the statute of limitations contained in Va. Code § 8.01-229.
In federal court, the defendant in its answer must state in short and plain terms its defences to each claim asserted against it and admit or deny the allegations asserted against it in the complaint. FRCP 8(b)-(c). A defendant may bring counterclaims or assert set-off against the plaintiff. FRCP 13. In Virginia local courts, a defendant must either respond to the merits of plaintiff’s claims or propose reasons why the defendant need not, such as objections to jurisdiction, venue, demurrer, statutes of limitation, and plea in suspension.
In both federal and local courts in Virginia, a defendant’s answer is ordinarily due within 21 days of being served with the summons and complaint (or pleadings). FRCP 12(a); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 3:8.
A defendant may bring a third party into the action in order to assert an action against the third party defendant. FRCP 14 & Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 3:12 and 3:13.
If a defendant fails to defend a claim, the Plaintiff may seek, and the court may enter, a default judgment against the defendant. FRCP 55; Va. Code § 8.01-428.
Yes. Challenges to the court’s subject matter jurisdiction can be brought at any time. FRCP 12(h)(3). In Virginia local courts, General District Courts have jurisdiction over matters $4,500 or less in controversy, while Circuit Courts have jurisdiction over matters over $4,500 in dispute. See Va. Code §§ 16.1-77 through 16.1-77.2. Challenges to personal jurisdiction are generally waived unless made at the time the defendant files its first motion to dismiss or its initial answer to the complaint. FRCP 12(h)(1); Va. Code § 8.01-277.1.
Third parties can be joined either as required parties or permitted parties. FRCP 19–20; Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 3:12 and 3:13. Required parties generally must be joined if their absence would prevent the court from according complete relief or the third party claims an interest in the subject of the action. FRCP 19; Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 3:12. Permitted parties generally may be joined if they seek relief with the plaintiff, or if relief is sought against them and the defendant, and a common question of law or fact will arise in the action. FRCP 20; Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 3:13.
Actions before the same court may be consolidated if they involve a common question of law or fact. FRCP 42(a); Va. Code § 8.01-267.1. It is also possible to transfer a case from one federal court to another for the convenience of the parties and witnesses or in the interest of justice. 28 U.S.C. § 1404(a).
Though rare, a court may order separate trials for convenience, to avoid prejudice, or to expedite and economise. FRCP 42(b); Va. Code § 8.01-374.1.
In District Court, a case is generally assigned on a random basis to a single judge who presides over the case until its conclusion. In Virginia local courts, a case is generally assigned through the chief judge in Circuit Court, Va. Code § 17.1-501, and generally assigned to a civil calendar in other courts.
The court is empowered to enter a scheduling order and to hold pre-trial conferences in order to manage the case. FRCP 16; Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 1:18. Parties may apply for interim relief in the form of temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions. FRCP 65; Va. Code § 8.01-620. The moving party must post sufficient security in order to obtain a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction. FRCP 65(c); Va. Code § 8.01-631.
A court is empowered to sanction a party that disobeys a court order with a variety of sanctions including fines, payment of an opponent’s attorneys’ fees or costs, preclusion from offering evidence, striking of claims or defences, staying the case, dismissal of the case, or entry of default judgment. FRCP 16, 37(b); Va. Code § 8.01-272.1.
A defendant may move to dismiss the complaint for lack of jurisdiction or for failure to state a claim, or to strike redundant, immaterial, impertinent or scandalous portions of the complaint at the time its answer is due (before discovery). FRCP 12(b) & (f); Va. Code § 8.01-273 (demurrer). A defendant may also move to dismiss the action after discovery during the summary judgment phase. FRCP 56; Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 3:20. A defendant is also able to move for judgment in his or her favour following the plaintiff’s presentation of evidence at trial, following the full trial, and after trial.
Summary judgment may be entered in whole or part for either the plaintiff or defendant if the moving party demonstrates that there is no genuine dispute as to any issue of material fact and it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. FRCP 56; Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 3:20.
A court is empowered to stay a case for disobedience of a court order until the order is obeyed. FRCP 16, 37(b); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:12(b)(2)(C). A court may also stay enforcement of a judgment pending an appeal. FRCP 62; Va. Code § 8.01-676.1.
Generally, a party may obtain discovery regarding any non-privileged matter that is relevant to any party’s claim or defence. FRCP 26(b)(1); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:1(b)(1). Ordinarily, a party may not discover documents that are prepared in anticipation of litigation or for trial by or for another party or its representative. FRCP 26(b)(3); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:1(b)(3). Under normal circumstances, a party need not provide discovery of electronically stored information from sources that are not reasonably accessible because of undue burden or cost (taking into account the proportionality of the cost of obtaining the information versus the amount in controversy in the lawsuit). FRCP 26(b)(2); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:1(b)(7).
In District Courts, the common law generally governs a claim of privilege. Federal Rule of Evidence (“FRE”) 501. Virginia local courts do not have codified rules of evidence, but generally follow the tenets of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The most commonly asserted privileges in civil proceedings are the Attorney-Client Communication Privilege and Work Product Doctrine.
Third parties may be required to produce documents, provide deposition testimony, or to testify at trial by subpoena. FRCP 45; Va. Code § 16.1-89.
The court supervises the timing of discovery through its scheduling order, and rules upon any motions for protective order that seek to limit or preclude discovery and motions to compel discovery. FRCP 16(b), 26(c), 37(a); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 1:18, Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:1.
As a general matter, there are no restrictions on the use of documents obtained in discovery. However, a party may move for a protective order that limits the use of documents obtained during discovery. FRCP 26(c); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:1(c). The court will typically order that documents containing trade secrets or other confidential research, development or commercial information not be revealed outside of the litigation. FRCP & SCRCP 26(c)(1)(G); Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:1(c)(7).
In District Court the Federal Rules of Evidence provide the basic rules. Virginia local courts do not have codified rules of evidence, but generally follow the tenets of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Generally speaking, irrelevant evidence, unfairly prejudicial evidence, privileged evidence, evidence not based on personal knowledge, unqualified opinions, and unreliable hearsay are not admissible. FRE 402, 403, 501, 701, 702, and 802. Experts must have sufficient qualifications to provide opinions on the issues for which they have been retained, follow reliable principles and methods, and apply those principles and methods to the facts of the case. FRE 702.
Fact witnesses must have personal knowledge of a matter in order to testify concerning that matter. FRE 602. Deposition testimony of a witness with personal knowledge taken in the action is generally admissible if the witness is an opposing party or is not available to testify at trial. FRE 804(b)(1); FRCP 32(a). Written witness statements of opposing parties are admissible against the party opponent, whether or not they are sworn. FRE 801(d)(2). Other witness statements are inadmissible unless they fall within one of the hearsay exceptions. FRE 803–804. Fact witnesses may testify regarding their “lay” opinions if the opinion is based upon the witness’ perception and not based upon expert knowledge. FRE 701. In federal court, up to 10 witnesses may be deposed by each side in advance of trial. FRCP 30(a). In Virginia local courts, the pretrial conference includes a discussion with court concerning an agreement between the parties on limiting the number of expert and/or lay witnesses. Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 1:19.
Generally speaking, expert witnesses may testify in the form of an opinion at trial if their knowledge is relevant, their opinions are based upon sufficient facts, and their opinions are the result of a reliable methodology. FRE 702; Va. Code § 8.01-401.1. In federal court, experts are generally required to prepare reports disclosing their opinions and their bases during discovery, and they may be deposed by the party opponent. FRCP 26(a)(2). In Virginia local courts, experts must disclose information upon request during discovery, but a report is not expressly required. Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 4:1(b)(4). There are no particular rules concerning concurrent expert evidence, but the courts will judge whether proffered expert evidence will assist the trier of fact.
The court may enter judgment for whatever relief is requested and authorised by law. In civil matters, typical judgments are for the payment of damages, permanent injunctions directing the defendant to take, or refrain from taking, certain actions, appointment of a receiver, or a declaration of the parties’ respective rights. FRCP 57, 58; Va. Code §§ 8.01-426 through 465.
A court may order a party to pay attorneys’ fees or costs if such fees or costs are recoverable under the party’s claim or for violation of a court order, or order the recovery of certain costs to the party. FRCP 16, 37, 54, 58; Va. Code §§ 8.01-426 through 465. The court may also order interest on a money judgment to the extent permitted by the substantive law governing the claim.
Domestic and foreign judgments may be filed in the office of the clerk of any Virginia Circuit Court and enforced in the same manner as a Virginia court judgment in accordance with the Virginia Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act. Va. Code § 8.01-465.
Appeals from the District Court are governed by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. Appeals from the Virginia local courts, whether General District Courts or Circuit Courts, are governed generally by the rules set forth at Va. Code §§ 8.01-676 through 688, and specifically by the following: appeals to the Virginia Supreme Court (Va. Code §§ 8.01-669 through 675.2) and appeals to the Court of Appeals (Va. Code §§ 8.01-675.3 through 675.4).
The court and parties are encouraged to discuss a possible settlement at, and in preparation for, pre-trial conferences. FRCP 16; Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia 1:19. In Virginia local courts, voluntary mediation is governed by Va. Code §§ 8.01-581.1 through 581.20:1.
As a general matter, parties may agree to use alternative dispute resolution at any point in the litigation process. Available options include court-appointed and privately engaged mediators, privately engaged arbitrators and private judges. Mediators are neutrals who encourage the parties to reach an agreement. Arbitrators and private judges are empowered by agreement of the parties to resolve the dispute, and the parties are bound to follow that resolution by agreement.
Mediation in Virginia is governed by Va. Code §§ 8.01-581.1 through 581.20:1. Arbitration is governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1–307.
Generally speaking, any civil case brought in Virginia may use alternative dispute resolution as a means of facilitating resolution of the case.
Virginia courts will enforce reasonable arbitration agreements, with both the procedure and substance of the arbitration agreement scrutinised. See Va. Code §§ 8.01-577 through 581.016. As for mediation, Virginia courts may provide mediators who can assist the parties in a lawsuit in settling their case before trial. Mediators do not decide the outcome of a case. All agreements reached in mediation are voluntary.
Virginia courts, both federal and local, encourage parties in civil cases to use mediation and arbitration. Mediation results must be voluntary. Arbitration is generally followed according to the parties’ agreement to arbitrate, with the arbitrator’s award confirmed by the court under Va. Code § 8.01.581.09. While no party will be sanctioned for declining to mediate, the court may force a party to honour a reasonable agreement to arbitrate.
There are many private mediators and arbitrators throughout Virginia. In addition, the local court system includes trained neutral mediators that can be used by litigants.
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