reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 134 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 2 - Jurisdiction|§ 134. Jurisdiction declined by reason of conduct

 (a) Except as otherwise provided in § 130 or by other law of this State, if a court of this State has jurisdiction under this chapter because a person seeking to invoke its jurisdiction has engaged in unjustifiable conduct, the court shall decline to exercise its jurisdiction unless: (1) the parents and all persons acting as parents have acquiesced in the exercise of jurisdiction; (2) a court of the State otherwise having jurisdiction under § 126 through § 129 determines that this State is a more appropriate forum under § 133; or (3) no court of any other State would have jurisdiction under the criteria specified in § 127 through § 129. (b) If a court of this State declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (a), it may fashion an appropriate remedy to ensure the safety of the child and prevent a repetition of the unjustifiable conduct, including staying the proceeding until a child-custody proceeding is commenced in a court having jurisdiction under § 127 through § 129. (c) If a court dismisses a petition or stays a proceeding because it declines to exercise its jurisdiction pursuant to subsection (a), it shall assess against the party seeking to invoke its jurisdiction necessary and reasonable expenses including costs, communication expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees are sought establishes that the assessment would be clearly inappropriate. The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against this State unless authorized by law other than this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 135 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 2 - Jurisdiction|§ 135. Information to be submitted to court

 (a) In a child-custody proceeding, each party, in its first pleading or in an attached affidavit, shall give information, if reasonably ascertainable, under oath as to the child's present address or whereabouts, the places where the child has lived during the last five years, and the names and present addresses of the persons with whom the child has lived during that period. The pleading or affidavit must state whether the party: (1) has participated, as a party or witness or in any other capacity, in any other proceeding concerning the custody of or visitation with the child and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the date of the child-custody determination, if any; (2) knows of any proceeding that could affect the current proceeding, including proceedings for enforcement and proceedings relating to domestic violence, protective orders, termination of parental rights, and adoptions and, if so, identify the court, the case number, and the nature of the proceeding; and (3) knows the names and addresses of any person not a party to the proceeding who has physical custody of the child or claims rights of legal custody or physical custody of, or visitation with, the child and, if so, the names and addresses of those persons. (b) If the information required by subsection (a) is not furnished, the court, upon motion of a party or its own motion, may stay the proceeding until the information is furnished. (c) If the declaration as to any of the items described in subsection (a)(1) through (3) is in the affirmative, the declarant shall give additional information under oath as required by the court. The court may examine the parties under oath as to details of the information furnished and other matters pertinent to the court's jurisdiction and the disposition of the case. (d) Each party has a continuing duty to inform the court of any proceeding in this or any other State that could affect the current proceeding. (e) If a party alleges in an affidavit or a pleading under oath that the health, safety, or liberty of a party or child would be jeopardized by disclosure of identifying information, the information must be sealed and may not be disclosed to the other party or the public unless the court orders the disclosure to be made after a hearing in which the court takes into consideration the health, safety, or liberty of the party or child and determines that the disclosure is in the interest of justice.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 136 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 2 - Jurisdiction|§ 136. Appearance of parties and child

 (a) In a child-custody proceeding in this State, the court may order a party to the proceeding who is in this State to appear before the court in person with or without the child. The court may order any person who is in this State and who has physical custody or control of the child to appear in person with the child. (b) If a party to a child-custody proceeding whose presence is desired by the court is outside this State, the court may order that a notice given pursuant to § 122 include a statement directing the party to appear in person with or without the child and informing the party that failure to appear may result in a decision adverse to the party. (c) The court may enter any orders necessary to ensure the safety of the child and of any person ordered to appear under this section. (d) If a party to a child-custody proceeding who is outside this State is directed to appear under subsection (b) or desires to appear personally before the court with or without the child, the court may require another party to pay reasonable and necessary travel and other expenses of the party so appearing and of the child.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 137 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 137. Definitions

 In this subchapter: (1) “Petitioner” means a person who seeks enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child-custody determination. (2) “Respondent” means a person against whom a proceeding has been commenced for enforcement of an order for return of a child under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction or enforcement of a child-custody determination.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 138 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 138. Enforcement under Hague Convention

 Under this subchapter a court of this State may enforce an order for the return of the child made under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction as if it were a child-custody determination.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 139 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 139. Duty to enforce

 (a) A court of this State shall recognize and enforce a child-custody determination of a court of another State if the latter court exercised jurisdiction in substantial conformity with this chapter or the determination was made under factual circumstances meeting the jurisdictional standards of this chapter and the determination has not been modified in accordance with this chapter. (b) A court of this State may utilize any remedy available under other law of this State to enforce a child-custody determination made by a court of another State. The remedies provided in this subchapter are cumulative and do not affect the availability of other remedies to enforce a child-custody determination.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140. Temporary visitation

 (a) A court of this State which does not have jurisdiction to modify a child-custody determination, may issue a temporary order enforcing: (1) a visitation schedule made by a court of another State; or (2) the visitation provisions of a child-custody determination of another State that does not provide for a specific visitation schedule. (b) If a court of this State makes an order under subsection (a)(2), it shall specify in the order a period that it considers adequate to allow the petitioner to obtain an order from a court having jurisdiction under the criteria specified in subchapter 2. The order remains in effect until an order is obtained from the other court or the period expires.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140a. Registration of child-custody determination

 (a) A child-custody determination issued by a court of another State may be registered in this State, with or without a simultaneous request for enforcement, by sending to the Virgin Islands Superior Court: (1) a letter or other document requesting registration; (2) two copies, including one certified copy, of the determination sought to be registered, and a statement under penalty of perjury that to the best of the knowledge and belief of the person seeking registration the order has not been modified; and (3) except as otherwise provided in § 135, the name and address of the person seeking registration and any parent or person acting as a parent who has been awarded custody or visitation in the child-custody determination sought to be registered. (b) On receipt of the documents required by subsection (a), the registering court shall: (1) cause the determination to be filed as a foreign judgment, together with one copy of any accompanying documents and information, regardless of their form; and (2) serve notice upon the persons named pursuant to subsection (a)(3) and provide them with an opportunity to contest the registration in accordance with this section. (c) The notice required by subsection (b)(2) must state that: (1) a registered determination is enforceable as of the date of the registration in the same manner as a determination issued by a court of this State; (2) a hearing to contest the validity of the registered determination must be requested within 20 days after service of notice; and (3) failure to contest the registration will result in confirmation of the child-custody determination and preclude further contest of that determination with respect to any matter that could have been asserted. (d) A person seeking to contest the validity of a registered order must request a hearing within 20 days after service of the notice. At that hearing, the court shall confirm the registered order unless the person contesting registration establishes that: (1) the issuing court did not have jurisdiction under subchapter 2; (2) the child-custody determination sought to be registered has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under subchapter 2; or (3) the person contesting registration was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of § 122, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which registration is sought. (e) If a timely request for a hearing to contest the validity of the registration is not made, the registration is confirmed as a matter of law and the person requesting registration and all persons served must be notified of the confirmation. (f) Confirmation of a registered order, whether by operation of law or after notice and hearing, precludes further contest of the order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted at the time of registration.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140b (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140b. Enforcement of registered determination

 (a) A court of this State may grant any relief normally available under the law of this State to enforce a registered child-custody determination made by a court of another State. (b) A court of this State shall recognize and enforce, but may not modify, except in accordance with subchapter 2, a registered child-custody determination of a court of another State.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140c (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140c. Simultaneous proceedings

 If a proceeding for enforcement under this subchapter is commenced in a court of this State and the court determines that a proceeding to modify the determination is pending in a court of another State having jurisdiction to modify the determination under subchapter 2, the enforcing court shall immediately communicate with the modifying court. The proceeding for enforcement continues unless the enforcing court, after consultation with the modifying court, stays or dismisses the proceeding.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140e (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140e. Service of petition and order

 Except as otherwise provided in § 140g, the petition and order must be served, by any method authorized under the rules of the Superior Court, upon respondent and any person who has physical custody of the child.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140f (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140f. Hearing and order

 (a) Unless the court issues a temporary emergency order pursuant to § 130, upon a finding that a petitioner is entitled to immediate physical custody of the child, the court shall order that the petitioner may take immediate physical custody of the child unless the respondent establishes that: (1) the child-custody determination has not been registered and confirmed under § 140a and that: (A) the issuing court did not have jurisdiction under subchapter 2; (B) the child-custody determination for which enforcement is sought has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a State having jurisdiction to do so under subchapter 2; or (C) the respondent was entitled to notice, but notice was not given in accordance with the standards of § 122, in the proceedings before the court that issued the order for which enforcement is sought; or (2) the child-custody determination for which enforcement is sought was registered and confirmed under 140a, but has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court of a State having jurisdiction to do so under subchapter 2. (b) The court shall award the fees, costs, and expenses authorized under § 140h and may grant additional relief, including a request for the assistance of law enforcement officials, and set a further hearing to determine whether additional relief is appropriate. (c) If a party called to testify refuses to answer on the ground that the testimony may be self incriminating, the court may draw an adverse inference from the refusal. (d) A privilege against disclosure of communications between spouses and a defense of immunity based on the relationship of husband and wife or parent and child may not be invoked in a proceeding under this subchapter.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140g (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140g. Warrant to take physical custody of child

 (a) Upon the filing of a petition seeking enforcement of a child-custody determination, the petitioner may file a verified application for the issuance of a warrant to take physical custody of the child if the child is immediately likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this State. (b) If the court, upon the testimony of the petitioner or other witness, finds that the child is imminently likely to suffer serious physical harm or be removed from this State, it may issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child. The petition must be heard on the next judicial day after the warrant is executed unless that date is impossible. In that event, the court shall hold the hearing on the first judicial day possible. The application for the warrant must include the statements required by § 140d(b). (c) A warrant to take physical custody of a child must: (1) recite the facts upon which a conclusion of imminent serious physical harm or removal from the jurisdiction is based; (2) direct law enforcement officers to take physical custody of the child immediately; and (3) provide for the placement of the child pending final relief. (d) The respondent must be served with the petition, warrant, and order immediately after the child is taken into physical custody. (e) A warrant to take physical custody of a child is enforceable throughout this State. If the court finds on the basis of the testimony of the petitioner or other witness that a less intrusive remedy is not effective, it may authorize law enforcement officers to enter private property to take physical custody of the child. If required by exigent circumstances of the case, the court may authorize law enforcement officers to make a forcible entry at any hour. (f) The court may impose conditions upon placement of a child to ensure the appearance of the child and the child's custodian.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140h (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140h. Costs, fees, and expenses

 (a) The court shall award the prevailing party, including a State, necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of the party, including costs, communication expenses, attorney's fees, investigative fees, expenses for witnesses, travel expenses, and child care during the course of the proceedings, unless the party from whom fees or expenses are sought establishes that the award would be clearly inappropriate. (b) The court may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against a State unless authorized by law other than this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140i (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140i. Recognition and enforcement

 A court of this State shall accord full faith and credit to an order issued by another State and consistent with this chapter which enforces a child-custody determination by a court of another State unless the order has been vacated, stayed, or modified by a court having jurisdiction to do so under subchapter 2.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140j (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140j. Appeals

 An appeal may be taken from a final order in a proceeding under this subchapter in accordance with law. Unless the court enters a temporary emergency order under § 130, the enforcing court may not stay an order enforcing a child-custody determination pending appeal.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140k (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140k. Role of prosecutor

 (a) In a case arising under this chapter or involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the prosecutor may take any lawful action, including resort to a proceeding under this subchapter or any other available civil proceeding to locate a child, obtain the return of a child, or enforce a child-custody determination if there is: (1) an existing child-custody determination; (2) a request to do so from a court in a pending child-custody proceeding; (3) a reasonable belief that a criminal statute has been violated; or (4) a reasonable belief that the child has been wrongfully removed or retained in violation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. (b) A prosecutor acting under this section acts on behalf of the court and may not represent any party.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140l (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140l. Role of law enforcement

 At the request of a prosecutor acting under § 140k, a law enforcement officer may take any lawful action reasonably necessary to locate a child or a party and assist a prosecutor with responsibilities under § 4987.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140m (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 3 - Enforcement|§ 140m. Costs and expenses

 If the respondent is not the prevailing party, the court may assess against the respondent all direct expenses and costs incurred by the prosecutor and law enforcement officers under § 140k or § 140l.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140n (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 4 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 140n. Application and construction

 In applying and construing this Uniform Act, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law with respect to its subject matter among States that enact it.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 140o (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 4 - Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act|Subchapter 4 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 140o. Severability clause

 If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 221 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter I - General Provisions|§ 221. Kinds of emancipation

 The law recognizes four kinds of emancipation— (1) emancipation conferring the power to administer property; (2) emancipation by marriage; (3) judicial emancipation; and (4) emancipation by reason of having attained the age of majority.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 231 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter II - Emancipation to Administer Property|§ 231. Emancipation by parental consent

 Any minor who has completed the age of 16 years may, with the consent of his parent or parents, be emancipated by a decree of the district court for the purpose of administering his property, in the manner prescribed in this subchapter. Emancipation may be petitioned for either by a relative of the minor or by the minor himself.
V.I. Code tit. 16, § 232 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 16 - Domestic Relations|Chapter 9 - Age of Majority and Emancipation|Subchapter II - Emancipation to Administer Property|§ 232. Emancipation against will of parents

 The minor may be emancipated against the will of his father or mother when they ill treat him or refuse to maintain and educate him or when they give him corrupt examples.