State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Virginia > Title-8-01 > Chapter-5 > 8-01-261

§ 8.01-261. Category A or preferred venue.

In the actions listed in this section, the forums enumerated shall be deemedpreferred places of venue and may be referred to as "Category A" in thistitle. Venue laid in any other forum shall be subject to objection; however,if more than one preferred place of venue applies, any such place shall be aproper forum. The following forums are designated as places of preferredvenue for the action specified:

1. In actions for review of, appeal from, or enforcement of stateadministrative regulations, decisions, or other orders:

a. If the moving or aggrieved party is other than the Commonwealth or anagency thereof, then the county or city wherein such party:

(1) Resides;

(2) Regularly or systematically conducts affairs or business activity; or

(3) Wherein such party's property affected by the administrative action islocated.

b. If the moving or aggrieved party is the Commonwealth or an agency thereof,then the county or city wherein the respondent or a party defendant:

(1) Resides;

(2) Regularly or systematically conducts affairs or business activity; or

(3) Has any property affected by the administrative action.

c. If subdivisions 1 a and 1 b do not apply, then the county or city whereinthe alleged violation of the administrative regulation, decision, or otherorder occurred.

2. Except as provided in subdivision 1 of this section, where the action isagainst one or more officers of the Commonwealth in an official capacity, thecounty or city where any such person has his official office.

3. The county or city wherein the subject land, or a part thereof, issituated in the following actions:

a. To recover or partition land;

b. To subject land to a debt;

c. To sell, lease, or encumber the land of persons under disabilities;

d. [Repealed.]

e. To sell wastelands;

f. To establish boundaries;

g. For unlawful entry or detainer;

h. For ejectment; or

i. To remove clouds on title.

4. [Reserved.]

5. In actions for writs of mandamus, prohibition, or certiorari, except suchas may be issued by the Supreme Court, the county or city wherein is therecord or proceeding to which the writ relates.

6. In actions on bonds required for public contract, the county or city inwhich the public project, or any part thereof, is situated.

7. In actions to impeach or establish a will, the county or city wherein thewill was probated, or, if not probated at the time of the action, where thewill may be properly offered for probate.

8., 9. [Repealed.]

10. In actions on any contract between a transportation district and acomponent government, any county or city any part of which is within suchtransportation district.

11. In attachments,

a. With reference to the principal defendant and those liable with or to him,venue shall be determined as if the principal defendant were the soledefendant; or

b. In the county or city in which the principal defendant has estate or hasdebts owing to him.

12. [Repealed.]

13. a. In any action for the collection of state, county, or municipal taxes,any one of the following counties or cities shall be deemed preferred placesof venue:

(1) Wherein the taxpayer resides;

(2) Wherein the taxpayer owns real or personal property;

(3) Wherein the taxpayer has a registered office, or regularly orsystematically conducts business; or

(4) In case of withdrawal from the Commonwealth by a delinquent taxpayer,wherein venue was proper at the time the taxes in question were assessed orat the time of such withdrawal.

b. In any action for the correction of an erroneous assessment of state taxesand tax refunds, any one of the following counties or cities shall be deemedpreferred places of venue:

(1) Wherein the taxpayer resides;

(2) Wherein the taxpayer has a registered office or regularly orsystematically conducts business;

(3) Wherein the taxpayer's real or personal property involved in such aproceeding is located; or

(4) The Circuit Court of the City of Richmond.

14. In proceedings by writ of quo warranto:

a. The city or county wherein any of the defendants reside;

b. If the defendant is a corporation, the city or county where its registeredoffice is or where its mayor, rector, president, or other chief officerresides; or

c. If there is no officer or none of the defendants reside in theCommonwealth, venue shall be in the City of Richmond.

15. In proceedings to award an injunction:

a. To any judgment or judicial proceeding of a circuit court, venue shall bein the court in the county or city in which the judgment was rendered or suchproceeding is pending;

b. To any judgment or judicial proceeding of a district court, venue shall bein the circuit court of the county or city in which the judgment was renderedor such proceeding is pending; or

c. To any other act or proceeding, venue shall be in the circuit court of thecounty or city in which the act is to be done, or being done, or isapprehended to be done or the proceeding is pending.

16. [Repealed.]

17. In disbarment or suspension proceedings against any attorney-at-law, inthe county or city where the defendant:

a. Resides;

b. Has his principal office or place of practice when the proceeding iscommenced;

c. Resided or had such principal office or place of practice when anymisconduct complained of occurred; or

d. Has any pending case as to which any misconduct took place.

18. In actions under the Virginia Tort Claims Act, Article 18.1 (§ 8.01-195.1et seq.) of Chapter 3 of this title:

a. The county or city where the claimant resides;

b. The county or city where the act or omission complained of occurred; or

c. If the claimant resides outside the Commonwealth and the act or omissioncomplained of occurred outside the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond.

19. In suits for annulment, affirmance, or divorce, the county or city inwhich the parties last cohabited, or at the option of the plaintiff, in thecounty or city in which the defendant resides, if a resident of thisCommonwealth, and in cases in which an order of publication may be issuedagainst the defendant under § 8.01-316, venue may also be in the county orcity in which the plaintiff resides.

20. In distress actions, in the county or city when the premises yielding therent, or some part thereof, may be or where goods liable to distress may befound.

(1977, c. 617; 1978, c. 334; 1979, c. 331; 1985, c. 433; 1987, c. 567; 1988,c. 766; 1989, c. 556; 1990, c. 831; 1993, c. 841.)

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Virginia > Title-8-01 > Chapter-5 > 8-01-261

§ 8.01-261. Category A or preferred venue.

In the actions listed in this section, the forums enumerated shall be deemedpreferred places of venue and may be referred to as "Category A" in thistitle. Venue laid in any other forum shall be subject to objection; however,if more than one preferred place of venue applies, any such place shall be aproper forum. The following forums are designated as places of preferredvenue for the action specified:

1. In actions for review of, appeal from, or enforcement of stateadministrative regulations, decisions, or other orders:

a. If the moving or aggrieved party is other than the Commonwealth or anagency thereof, then the county or city wherein such party:

(1) Resides;

(2) Regularly or systematically conducts affairs or business activity; or

(3) Wherein such party's property affected by the administrative action islocated.

b. If the moving or aggrieved party is the Commonwealth or an agency thereof,then the county or city wherein the respondent or a party defendant:

(1) Resides;

(2) Regularly or systematically conducts affairs or business activity; or

(3) Has any property affected by the administrative action.

c. If subdivisions 1 a and 1 b do not apply, then the county or city whereinthe alleged violation of the administrative regulation, decision, or otherorder occurred.

2. Except as provided in subdivision 1 of this section, where the action isagainst one or more officers of the Commonwealth in an official capacity, thecounty or city where any such person has his official office.

3. The county or city wherein the subject land, or a part thereof, issituated in the following actions:

a. To recover or partition land;

b. To subject land to a debt;

c. To sell, lease, or encumber the land of persons under disabilities;

d. [Repealed.]

e. To sell wastelands;

f. To establish boundaries;

g. For unlawful entry or detainer;

h. For ejectment; or

i. To remove clouds on title.

4. [Reserved.]

5. In actions for writs of mandamus, prohibition, or certiorari, except suchas may be issued by the Supreme Court, the county or city wherein is therecord or proceeding to which the writ relates.

6. In actions on bonds required for public contract, the county or city inwhich the public project, or any part thereof, is situated.

7. In actions to impeach or establish a will, the county or city wherein thewill was probated, or, if not probated at the time of the action, where thewill may be properly offered for probate.

8., 9. [Repealed.]

10. In actions on any contract between a transportation district and acomponent government, any county or city any part of which is within suchtransportation district.

11. In attachments,

a. With reference to the principal defendant and those liable with or to him,venue shall be determined as if the principal defendant were the soledefendant; or

b. In the county or city in which the principal defendant has estate or hasdebts owing to him.

12. [Repealed.]

13. a. In any action for the collection of state, county, or municipal taxes,any one of the following counties or cities shall be deemed preferred placesof venue:

(1) Wherein the taxpayer resides;

(2) Wherein the taxpayer owns real or personal property;

(3) Wherein the taxpayer has a registered office, or regularly orsystematically conducts business; or

(4) In case of withdrawal from the Commonwealth by a delinquent taxpayer,wherein venue was proper at the time the taxes in question were assessed orat the time of such withdrawal.

b. In any action for the correction of an erroneous assessment of state taxesand tax refunds, any one of the following counties or cities shall be deemedpreferred places of venue:

(1) Wherein the taxpayer resides;

(2) Wherein the taxpayer has a registered office or regularly orsystematically conducts business;

(3) Wherein the taxpayer's real or personal property involved in such aproceeding is located; or

(4) The Circuit Court of the City of Richmond.

14. In proceedings by writ of quo warranto:

a. The city or county wherein any of the defendants reside;

b. If the defendant is a corporation, the city or county where its registeredoffice is or where its mayor, rector, president, or other chief officerresides; or

c. If there is no officer or none of the defendants reside in theCommonwealth, venue shall be in the City of Richmond.

15. In proceedings to award an injunction:

a. To any judgment or judicial proceeding of a circuit court, venue shall bein the court in the county or city in which the judgment was rendered or suchproceeding is pending;

b. To any judgment or judicial proceeding of a district court, venue shall bein the circuit court of the county or city in which the judgment was renderedor such proceeding is pending; or

c. To any other act or proceeding, venue shall be in the circuit court of thecounty or city in which the act is to be done, or being done, or isapprehended to be done or the proceeding is pending.

16. [Repealed.]

17. In disbarment or suspension proceedings against any attorney-at-law, inthe county or city where the defendant:

a. Resides;

b. Has his principal office or place of practice when the proceeding iscommenced;

c. Resided or had such principal office or place of practice when anymisconduct complained of occurred; or

d. Has any pending case as to which any misconduct took place.

18. In actions under the Virginia Tort Claims Act, Article 18.1 (§ 8.01-195.1et seq.) of Chapter 3 of this title:

a. The county or city where the claimant resides;

b. The county or city where the act or omission complained of occurred; or

c. If the claimant resides outside the Commonwealth and the act or omissioncomplained of occurred outside the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond.

19. In suits for annulment, affirmance, or divorce, the county or city inwhich the parties last cohabited, or at the option of the plaintiff, in thecounty or city in which the defendant resides, if a resident of thisCommonwealth, and in cases in which an order of publication may be issuedagainst the defendant under § 8.01-316, venue may also be in the county orcity in which the plaintiff resides.

20. In distress actions, in the county or city when the premises yielding therent, or some part thereof, may be or where goods liable to distress may befound.

(1977, c. 617; 1978, c. 334; 1979, c. 331; 1985, c. 433; 1987, c. 567; 1988,c. 766; 1989, c. 556; 1990, c. 831; 1993, c. 841.)


State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Virginia > Title-8-01 > Chapter-5 > 8-01-261

§ 8.01-261. Category A or preferred venue.

In the actions listed in this section, the forums enumerated shall be deemedpreferred places of venue and may be referred to as "Category A" in thistitle. Venue laid in any other forum shall be subject to objection; however,if more than one preferred place of venue applies, any such place shall be aproper forum. The following forums are designated as places of preferredvenue for the action specified:

1. In actions for review of, appeal from, or enforcement of stateadministrative regulations, decisions, or other orders:

a. If the moving or aggrieved party is other than the Commonwealth or anagency thereof, then the county or city wherein such party:

(1) Resides;

(2) Regularly or systematically conducts affairs or business activity; or

(3) Wherein such party's property affected by the administrative action islocated.

b. If the moving or aggrieved party is the Commonwealth or an agency thereof,then the county or city wherein the respondent or a party defendant:

(1) Resides;

(2) Regularly or systematically conducts affairs or business activity; or

(3) Has any property affected by the administrative action.

c. If subdivisions 1 a and 1 b do not apply, then the county or city whereinthe alleged violation of the administrative regulation, decision, or otherorder occurred.

2. Except as provided in subdivision 1 of this section, where the action isagainst one or more officers of the Commonwealth in an official capacity, thecounty or city where any such person has his official office.

3. The county or city wherein the subject land, or a part thereof, issituated in the following actions:

a. To recover or partition land;

b. To subject land to a debt;

c. To sell, lease, or encumber the land of persons under disabilities;

d. [Repealed.]

e. To sell wastelands;

f. To establish boundaries;

g. For unlawful entry or detainer;

h. For ejectment; or

i. To remove clouds on title.

4. [Reserved.]

5. In actions for writs of mandamus, prohibition, or certiorari, except suchas may be issued by the Supreme Court, the county or city wherein is therecord or proceeding to which the writ relates.

6. In actions on bonds required for public contract, the county or city inwhich the public project, or any part thereof, is situated.

7. In actions to impeach or establish a will, the county or city wherein thewill was probated, or, if not probated at the time of the action, where thewill may be properly offered for probate.

8., 9. [Repealed.]

10. In actions on any contract between a transportation district and acomponent government, any county or city any part of which is within suchtransportation district.

11. In attachments,

a. With reference to the principal defendant and those liable with or to him,venue shall be determined as if the principal defendant were the soledefendant; or

b. In the county or city in which the principal defendant has estate or hasdebts owing to him.

12. [Repealed.]

13. a. In any action for the collection of state, county, or municipal taxes,any one of the following counties or cities shall be deemed preferred placesof venue:

(1) Wherein the taxpayer resides;

(2) Wherein the taxpayer owns real or personal property;

(3) Wherein the taxpayer has a registered office, or regularly orsystematically conducts business; or

(4) In case of withdrawal from the Commonwealth by a delinquent taxpayer,wherein venue was proper at the time the taxes in question were assessed orat the time of such withdrawal.

b. In any action for the correction of an erroneous assessment of state taxesand tax refunds, any one of the following counties or cities shall be deemedpreferred places of venue:

(1) Wherein the taxpayer resides;

(2) Wherein the taxpayer has a registered office or regularly orsystematically conducts business;

(3) Wherein the taxpayer's real or personal property involved in such aproceeding is located; or

(4) The Circuit Court of the City of Richmond.

14. In proceedings by writ of quo warranto:

a. The city or county wherein any of the defendants reside;

b. If the defendant is a corporation, the city or county where its registeredoffice is or where its mayor, rector, president, or other chief officerresides; or

c. If there is no officer or none of the defendants reside in theCommonwealth, venue shall be in the City of Richmond.

15. In proceedings to award an injunction:

a. To any judgment or judicial proceeding of a circuit court, venue shall bein the court in the county or city in which the judgment was rendered or suchproceeding is pending;

b. To any judgment or judicial proceeding of a district court, venue shall bein the circuit court of the county or city in which the judgment was renderedor such proceeding is pending; or

c. To any other act or proceeding, venue shall be in the circuit court of thecounty or city in which the act is to be done, or being done, or isapprehended to be done or the proceeding is pending.

16. [Repealed.]

17. In disbarment or suspension proceedings against any attorney-at-law, inthe county or city where the defendant:

a. Resides;

b. Has his principal office or place of practice when the proceeding iscommenced;

c. Resided or had such principal office or place of practice when anymisconduct complained of occurred; or

d. Has any pending case as to which any misconduct took place.

18. In actions under the Virginia Tort Claims Act, Article 18.1 (§ 8.01-195.1et seq.) of Chapter 3 of this title:

a. The county or city where the claimant resides;

b. The county or city where the act or omission complained of occurred; or

c. If the claimant resides outside the Commonwealth and the act or omissioncomplained of occurred outside the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond.

19. In suits for annulment, affirmance, or divorce, the county or city inwhich the parties last cohabited, or at the option of the plaintiff, in thecounty or city in which the defendant resides, if a resident of thisCommonwealth, and in cases in which an order of publication may be issuedagainst the defendant under § 8.01-316, venue may also be in the county orcity in which the plaintiff resides.

20. In distress actions, in the county or city when the premises yielding therent, or some part thereof, may be or where goods liable to distress may befound.

(1977, c. 617; 1978, c. 334; 1979, c. 331; 1985, c. 433; 1987, c. 567; 1988,c. 766; 1989, c. 556; 1990, c. 831; 1993, c. 841.)