reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 16.1-69.51:1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 4.1 - District Courts|§ 16.1-69.51:1. Display of flags in courtrooms

There shall be displayed inside each courtroom of all district courts in the cities and counties of the Commonwealth the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The governing bodies of the respective counties and cities shall make provision for such display and may accept gifts or flags for such purpose.1976, c. 445.
VA Code § 16.1-69.53 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 4.1 - District Courts|§ 16.1-69.53. Definitions; construction of references to period of years

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the following meanings:"Court records" shall include case records, financial records and administrative records as defined in this section."Case records" shall mean all documents, dockets and indices."Documents" shall mean all motions for judgment, bills of complaint, answers, bills of particulars, other pleadings, interrogatories, motions in writing, warrants, summonses, petitions, proof of service, witness summonses and subpoenas, documents received in evidence, transcripts, orders, judgments, writs, and any other similar case-related records and papers in the possession of the district courts and filed with the pleadings in the case."Financial records" shall mean all papers and records related to the receipt and disbursement of money by the district court."Administrative records" shall mean all other court papers and records not otherwise defined.Whenever a reference to a period of years for the retention of documents is made in this section, it shall be construed to commence on January 2 of the first year following (i) the final adjudication of a civil case or (ii) the final disposition in all other cases, unless otherwise specified herein. In foster care cases, the final disposition date is the date of transfer of custody to a local board of social services or a child welfare agency.1983, c. 499; 2002, c. 747.
VA Code § 16.1-69.54 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 4.1 - District Courts|§ 16.1-69.54. General provisions

A. Each district court shall retain and store its court records as provided in this article. The Committee on District Courts, after consultation with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, shall determine the methods of processing, retention, reproduction and disposal of records and information in district courts, including records required to be retained in district courts by statute.B. Whenever a court record has been reproduced for the purpose of record retention under this article, such original may be disposed of upon completion of the Commonwealth's audit of the court records unless approval is given by the Auditor of Public Accounts for earlier disposition. In the event of such reproduction, the reproduction of the court record shall be retained in accordance with the retention periods specified in this section. The reproduction shall have the same force and effect as the original court record and shall be given the same faith and credit to which the original itself would have been entitled in any judicial or administrative proceeding.C. Electronic case papers, whether originating in electronic form or converted to electronic form, shall constitute the official record of the case. Such electronic case papers shall also fulfill any statutory requirement that requires an original, original paper, paper, record, document, facsimile, memorandum, exhibit, certification, or transcript if such electronic case papers are in an electronic form approved by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court. When case papers are transmitted between the district and circuit courts and there is an agreement between the chief judge of the applicable district court and the clerk of the circuit court for the electronic transmission of case papers, the case papers shall be transmitted between the courts by an electronic method approved by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, with the exception of any exhibit that cannot be electronically transmitted. The clerk in the appellate court may also request that any paper trial records be forwarded to such clerk.1983, c. 499; 2018, cc. 32, 134.
VA Code § 16.1-69.56 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 4.1 - District Courts|§ 16.1-69.56. Retention of financial and administrative records

Appropriate retention periods for the financial and administrative records of the district courts and magistrates shall be prescribed by the Supreme Court of Virginia. In the case of financial records only, the retention period prescribed by the court shall be subject to approval by the Auditor of Public Accounts.1983, c. 499; 1987, c. 160.
VA Code § 16.1-69.57 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 4.1 - District Courts|§ 16.1-69.57. Destruction of court records

The clerk of each district court shall destroy the court records upon expiration of the appropriate retention period as set forth in §§ 16.1-69.55 and 16.1-69.56 and consistent with the requirements of confidentiality for juvenile records. The Supreme Court shall determine the methods to be used in destroying court records. Likewise, magistrates shall destroy records retained in the office of the magistrate upon the expiration of the appropriate retention period as set forth in § 16.1-69.56.1983, c. 499; 1987, c. 160.
VA Code § 16.1-69.58 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 4.1 - District Courts|§ 16.1-69.58. Processing, retention and reproduction of court records; retention and destruction of records in which final disposition was entered before January 1, 1985

The Committee on District Courts, after consultation with the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court, shall determine the methods for processing, retention and reproduction of court records and all other records required by statute to be retained in the district courts and for records retained in the office of the magistrate.The provisions for retention and destruction of records contained in §§ 16.1-117, 16.1-118 and 16.1-118.1 shall apply to court records in district court cases in which a final disposition was entered before January 1, 1985.1983, c. 499; 1987, c. 160.
VA Code § 16.1-76 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-76. Venue

In all civil actions over which the general district courts have jurisdiction pursuant to § 16.1-77, venue shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 5 (§ 8.01-257 et seq.) of Title 8.01.1956, c. 555; 1977, c. 624; 1978, c. 421.
VA Code § 16.1-77.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-77.1. When general district court may give judgment on forthcoming bond

A general district court may, on motion, after 10 days' notice of the time and place thereof, give judgment on any forthcoming bond taken by a sheriff or other officer upon a fieri facias issued by such court.Code 1950, § 8-457; 1977, c. 624; 1983, c. 616; 2007, c. 869.
VA Code § 16.1-77.2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-77.2. Jurisdiction of partition of personal property and proceedings therefor

Every general district court shall have jurisdiction of proceedings for partition of personal property, within the limits as to value and in accordance with the provisions hereinafter contained.When joint owners of personal property of the value of more than $20 but not more than maximum jurisdictional limits of the court as provided in § 16.1-77 (1) cannot agree upon a partition thereof, any party in interest may compel partition, the proceeding for which shall be commenced by a petition presented to a general district court as prescribed in subsection 5 of § 8.01-262. A copy of the petition, together with a notice of the time and place the petitioner will ask for a hearing thereon, shall be served on each of the defendants at least 10 days prior to the day of hearing. The court shall hear and decide the matter without the appointment or use of commissioners.Any party aggrieved by a final judgment rendered by the general district court in any such proceeding shall have an appeal of right to any circuit court of the county or city having jurisdiction of appeals from such general district court, to be perfected within the time, and in all other respects in accordance with the provisions of law concerning appeals from general district courts in other civil cases.Code 1950, § 8-703; 1952, c. 252; 1972, c. 368; 1977, c. 624; 1983, c. 616; 2007, c. 869.
VA Code § 16.1-78 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-78. Judgment by confession not affected

None of the provisions of § 16.1-77 shall affect the right of any person to obtain judgment by confession in any court of record having jurisdiction thereof, or in the clerk's office of any such court, when such right exists under some other statute or act, on any claim for money, property or damages, regardless of the amount of such claim for money or damages or the value of such property.1956, c. 555.
VA Code § 16.1-79 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-79. Actions brought on warrant

A civil action in a general district court may be brought by warrant directed to the sheriff or to any other person authorized to serve process in such county or city, requiring the person against whom the claim is asserted to appear before the court on a certain day, not exceeding sixty days from the date of service thereof, to answer the complaint of the plaintiff set out in the warrant. After the warrant has been issued and delivered for service it shall not be altered, nor any blank filled, except by order of the court.1956, c. 555; 1991, c. 26.
VA Code § 16.1-79.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-79.1. Electronic filing of civil cases

The general district courts shall accept case data in an electronic format for any civil action filed. The use of the electronic transfer shall be at the option of the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney, and if electronic transfer is utilized, the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney shall comply with the security and data configuration standards established by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court. If electronic transfer is utilized, the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney shall be responsible for filing with the clerk of the general district court the paper copies of any pleading for the proper processing of such civil actions as otherwise required by law, unless the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney has established at his expense a system for the filing of a pleading generated through the electronic transfer of data; such system has been authorized by, and meets the filing requirements of, the clerk; and the plaintiff or plaintiff's attorney transmits the process in an electronic format directly with the sheriff as otherwise provided by law. Notwithstanding any electronic transfer, the plaintiff shall remain responsible for payment of any required fees upon case initiation or filing and as otherwise required by law.2010, cc. 550, 622; 2011, c. 766.
VA Code § 16.1-80 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-80. Service of warrant and return thereof

The officer issuing a warrant shall deliver to the officer to whom it is directed, or to the plaintiff, for service, one or more original warrants and as many copies as there are defendants upon whom it is to be served. Service of the warrant shall be made as provided in Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title 8.01, but the warrant must be served not less than five days before the return day. Returns shall be made on the original, or on one or more of them if there be more than one issued, and shall show when, where, how and upon whom service was made. The warrant or warrants with the returns thereon shall be delivered to the court prior to the return day thereof, but if not so delivered may, in the discretion of the judge of the court, be delivered before the court convenes on the return day.1956, c. 555.
VA Code § 16.1-81 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-81. Actions brought by motion for judgment

A civil action in a general district court may be brought by motion for judgment. Such motion shall be in writing, signed by the plaintiff or his attorney, and shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the court and the title of the action, which shall include the names of all parties and the address of each defendant. It shall state the facts on which the plaintiff relies, and shall be sufficient if it clearly informs the defendant or defendants of the true nature of the claim asserted. The motion shall notify the defendant or defendants of the day on which such motion shall be made, which day shall not be more than sixty days from the date of service of the motion.1956, c. 555; 1990, c. 762.
VA Code § 16.1-81.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-81.1. Certain corporations; pro se representation

When the amount in controversy in any action at law in a general district court does not exceed the sum of $2,500, exclusive of interest, attorney fees contracted for in the instrument, and costs, a corporate plaintiff or defendant, the stock of which is held by no more than five persons and is not publicly offered or planned to be publicly offered at the time of the litigation, may be represented by an officer of that corporation who shall have all the rights and privileges given an individual to represent, plead, and try a case without an attorney, provided that such officer has the unanimous consent of all the shareholders to do so.2009, c. 666.
VA Code § 16.1-82 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-82. Service of motion; return thereon and delivery to the court; how disposed of

The plaintiff shall file with the clerk of the court an original motion for judgment and as many copies as there are defendants upon whom it is to be served, with the proper fees. The original motion and copies thereof shall then be delivered to the sheriff or other person for service. Service of such motion shall be as provided in Chapter 8 (§ 8.01-285 et seq.) of Title 8.01, but the motion must be served not less than five days before the return day. Returns shall be made on the original motion for judgment and shall show when, where, how and upon whom service was made. The motion or motions with the returns thereon shall be returned by the sheriff or other persons making service to the court within three days of the date service is made. The motion for judgment shall be heard and disposed of by the court in the same manner as if it were a civil warrant. Except as otherwise provided herein, procedure upon such motion for judgment shall conform as nearly as practicable to the procedure in motions for judgment prescribed by Rules of Court for civil actions in courts of record.1956, c. 555; 1981, c. 576; 1990, c. 943.
VA Code § 16.1-83 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-83. Consent of parties required for trial within five days of service

No trial of a warrant or motion for judgment under this title may be had within five days after service thereof except with the consent of the parties. Proceedings to enforce the rights and privileges conferred by the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (§ 2.2-3700 et seq.) shall be conducted within the time limitations specified in § 2.2-3713.1956, c. 555; 1990, c. 217.
VA Code § 16.1-83.1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-83.1. Certification of expert witness opinion at time of service of process

Every warrant in debt, counter claim, or third party claim in a medical malpractice action, at the time the plaintiff requests service of process upon a defendant, or requests a defendant to accept service of process, shall be deemed a certification that the plaintiff has obtained from an expert whom the plaintiff reasonably believes would qualify as an expert witness pursuant to subsection A of § 8.01-581.20 a written opinion signed by the expert witness that, based upon a reasonable understanding of the facts, the defendant for whom service of process has been requested deviated from the applicable standard of care and the deviation was a proximate cause of the injuries claimed. This certification is not necessary if the plaintiff, in good faith, alleges a medical malpractice action that asserts a theory of liability where expert testimony is unnecessary because the alleged act of negligence clearly lies within the range of the jury's common knowledge and experience.The certifying expert shall not be required to be an expert witness expected to testify at trial nor shall any defendant be entitled to discover the identity or qualifications of the certifying expert or the nature of the certifying expert opinions. Should the certifying expert be identified as an expert expected to testify at trial, the opinions and bases therefor shall be discoverable pursuant to Rule 4:1 of the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia with the exception of the expert's status as a certifying expert.Upon written request of any defendant, the plaintiff shall, within 10 business days after receipt of such request, provide the defendant with a certification form which affirms that the plaintiff had obtained the necessary certifying expert opinion at the time service was requested or affirms that the plaintiff did not need to obtain a certifying expert opinion. The court, upon good cause shown, may conduct an in camera review of the certifying expert opinion obtained by the plaintiff as the court may deem appropriate. If the plaintiff did not obtain a necessary certifying expert opinion at the time the plaintiff requested service of process on a defendant, the court shall impose sanctions according to the provisions of § 8.01-271.1 and may dismiss the case with prejudice.2005, cc. 649, 692; 2007, c. 489; 2013, cc. 65, 610.
VA Code § 16.1-84 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-84. When action or proceeding not lost; when matured for hearing

In the event the return day of any civil action or other proceeding is a day on which the court does not sit, such action or proceeding shall not be lost, but shall be deemed matured for hearing or other disposition by the court on the first day thereafter on which the court sits for hearing civil actions.1956, c. 555; 1958, c. 210.
VA Code § 16.1-85 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-85. What term "warrant" to include

Whenever the word "warrant" is used in any section of the Code or act of assembly relating to civil proceedings, it shall, unless the context or use indicates a different meaning, be construed to mean "warrant or motion for judgment."1956, c. 555.
VA Code § 16.1-86 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-86. When action deemed brought

A civil action on a warrant in a district court shall be deemed brought when the memorandum required by § 8.01-290 is filed with the clerk, magistrate, or other officer authorized to issue warrants and the required fee is paid. The officer issuing the warrant shall note on the memorandum the date and time it is received by him with the required fee.A civil action on a motion for judgment as authorized in § 16.1-81 shall be deemed brought on the day on which the motion is filed with the court.Whenever any other pleading in any civil action is filed in a district court, the clerk or his designee shall stamp or mark the date received and time of filing on the face of such pleading.1956, c. 555; 1980, c. 739; 1990, c. 109.
VA Code § 16.1-88 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-88. Procedure when plaintiff sues on sworn claim

If a civil action in a general district court is upon a contract, express or implied, for the payment of money, or unlawful detainer pursuant to § 55.1-1245 or 55.1-1415 for the payment of money or possession of the premises, or both, or is brought by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision or agency thereof for the collection of taxes or to enforce any other obligation for the payment of money, an affidavit and a copy of the account if there be one and, in actions pursuant to § 55.1-1245 or 55.1-1415, proof of required notice may be made and served on the defendant in accordance with § 8.01-296 with the warrant or motion for judgment as provided in § 8.01-28 for actions at law, whereupon the provisions of § 8.01-28 shall be applicable to the further proceedings therein. The affidavit and the account if there is one and proof of appropriate notice may be attached to the warrant or motion, in which event the combined papers shall be served as a single paper.1956, c. 555; 1973, c. 440; 1991, c. 503.
VA Code § 16.1-88.01 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-88.01. Counterclaims

In any proceeding before any general district court a defendant may, at his option, at any time before trial, plead in writing as a counterclaim, any cause of action at law for a money judgment in personam, or any matter which would entitle him to relief in equity in the nature of damages, that he has against the plaintiff or all plaintiffs jointly, whether or not it grows out of any transaction mentioned in the warrant or notice of motion for judgment, whether or not it is for liquidated damages, whether or not it is in tort or contract, and whether or not the amount demanded exceeds the amount claimed by the plaintiff in the warrant or notice of motion for judgment; however, no such counterclaim shall be filed or heard when the amount claimed therein exceeds the amount within the jurisdiction of such court.Upon the request of either party, bills of particulars and grounds of defense may be ordered to ensure a fair trial on the merits of the issue presented. The court may, in its discretion, hear the counterclaim together with the original case, or may order and hold a separate hearing of any cause of action asserted in a counterclaim. In either event, the court shall render such final judgment on the whole case as the law and the evidence require.Code 1950, § 8-239.1; 1954, c. 608; 1977, c. 624; 1998, cc. 482, 495.
VA Code § 16.1-88.02 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 16.1 - Courts Not of Record|Chapter 6 - Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters|§ 16.1-88.02. Cross-claims

Subject to the jurisdictional limitations prescribed by law, in any proceeding before a general district court a defendant may, at his option, at any time before trial, plead in writing as a cross-claim any cause of action that he has against one or more defendants growing out of any matter pleaded in the plaintiff's warrant or notice or motion for judgment. The court may order and hold a separate hearing upon any cause of action asserted in a cross-claim.Code 1950, § 8-239.2; 1954, c. 608; 1977, c. 624.