§ 13.1-672.4 Dismissal
A. A derivative proceeding shall be dismissed by the court on motion by the corporation if one of the groups specified in subsection B or E has:
1. Conducted a review and evaluation, adequately informed in the circumstances, of the allegations made in the demand or complaint;
2. Determined in good faith on the basis of that review and evaluation that the maintenance of the derivative proceeding is not in the best interests of the corporation; and
3. Submitted in support of the motion a short and concise statement of the reasons for its determination.
B. Unless a panel is appointed pursuant to subsection E, the determination in subsection A shall be made by:
1. A majority vote of disinterested directors present at a meeting of the board of directors if the disinterested directors constitute a quorum; or
2. A majority vote of a committee consisting of two or more disinterested directors appointed by a majority vote of disinterested directors present at a meeting of the board of directors, regardless of whether such disinterested directors constituted a quorum.
C. If a derivative proceeding is commenced after a determination has been made rejecting a demand by a shareholder, the complaint shall allege with particularity facts establishing that the requirements of subsection A or B have not been met. With respect to any allegation that the requirements of subsection A or B have not been met, the plaintiff shall be entitled to discovery if, and only with respect to, facts that are alleged in the complaint with particularity.
D. The plaintiff shall have the burden of proving that the requirements of subsection A or B have not been met, except that the corporation shall have the burden with respect to the issue of disinterestedness under subsection B if the complaint alleges with particularity facts raising a substantial question as to such disinterestedness.
E. Upon motion by the corporation, the court may appoint a panel of disinterested persons to make a determination whether the maintenance of the derivative proceeding is in the best interests of the corporation.
History
This law was first created in 1992. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 802 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1992 “Acts” aren’t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1993, chapter 233; in 2005, chapter 765; in 2019, chapter 734.
1992, c. 802; 1993, c. 233; 2005, c. 765; 2019, c. 734.