{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/13.1-704.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/13.1-704.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/13.1-704.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/13.1-704.html"}],"law_id":70191,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70191,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-704","catch_line":"Application of article","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 13.1-3.1; 1968, c. 570; 1975, c. 500; 1979, c. 99; 1985, c. 522; 1987, cc. 59, 257; 1988, c. 561; 2005, c. 765; 2007, c. 165; 2010, c. 782; 2019, c. 734.","full_text":"A\n\nUnless the articles of incorporation or bylaws expressly provide otherwise, any authorization of indemnification or advances or reimbursement of expenses in the articles of incorporation or bylaws shall not be deemed to prevent the corporation from providing indemnity or advances or reimbursement of expenses permitted or mandated by this article.B\n\nA corporation, by a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or in a resolution adopted or a contract approved by the board of directors or shareholders, may obligate itself in advance of the act or omission giving rise to a proceeding to provide indemnification in accordance with § 13.1-697 or subsection C and advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance with § 13.1-699. Any such obligatory provision shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements for authorization referred to in subsection C of § 13.1-699 and subsection C of § 13.1-701.C\n\nAny corporation shall have power to make any further indemnity, including indemnity with respect to a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, and to make additional provision for advances and reimbursement of expenses, to any director or officer that may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or any bylaw made by the shareholders or any resolution adopted, before or after the event, by the shareholders, except an indemnity against (i) his willful misconduct or (ii) a knowing violation of criminal law. Any such provision that obligates the corporation to provide indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law shall be deemed, unless the articles of incorporation or any such bylaw or resolution expressly provides otherwise, also to obligate the corporation to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law in accordance with § 13.1-699 except that the applicable standard shall be conduct that does not constitute willful misconduct or a knowing violation of criminal law, rather than the standard of conduct prescribed in § 13.1-697. Unless the articles of incorporation, or any such bylaw or resolution expressly provide otherwise, any determination as to the right to any further indemnity shall be made in accordance with subsection B of § 13.1-701. Each such indemnity may continue as to a person who has ceased to have the capacity referred to above and may inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.D\n\nA right of indemnification or advance for expenses created under this article or under subsection B and in effect at the time of an act or omission shall not be reduced, eliminated, or impaired by any amendment of the articles of incorporation or bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders adopted after the occurrence of such act or omission unless, in the case of a right created under subsection B, the provision creating such right and in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such reduction, elimination, or impairment after such act or omission has occurred.E\n\nAny provision pursuant to subsection B shall not obligate the corporation to indemnify or advance expenses to a director of a predecessor of the corporation, pertaining to conduct with respect to the predecessor, unless otherwise expressly provided. Any provision for indemnification or advance for expenses in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders of a predecessor of the corporation in a merger or in a contract to which the predecessor is a party, existing at the time the merger takes effect, shall be governed by subdivision A 4 of § 13.1-721.F\n\nThis article does not limit a corporation’s power to pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a director or an officer in connection with his or her appearance as a witness in a proceeding at a time when he or she is not a party.G\n\nThis article does not limit a corporation’s power to provide indemnity to, advance or reimburse expenses incurred by, or provide or maintain insurance on behalf of an agent or an employee who is not a director or officer.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":253474,"text":"Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws expressly provide otherwise, any authorization of indemnification or advances or reimbursement of expenses in the articles of incorporation or bylaws shall not be deemed to prevent the corporation from providing indemnity or advances or reimbursement of expenses permitted or mandated by this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":253475,"text":"A corporation, by a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or in a resolution adopted or a contract approved by the board of directors or shareholders, may obligate itself in advance of the act or omission giving rise to a proceeding to provide indemnification in accordance with § 13.1-697 or subsection C and advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance with § 13.1-699. Any such obligatory provision shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements for authorization referred to in subsection C of § 13.1-699 and subsection C of § 13.1-701.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":253476,"text":"Any corporation shall have power to make any further indemnity, including indemnity with respect to a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation, and to make additional provision for advances and reimbursement of expenses, to any director or officer that may be authorized by the articles of incorporation or any bylaw made by the shareholders or any resolution adopted, before or after the event, by the shareholders, except an indemnity against (i) his willful misconduct or (ii) a knowing violation of criminal law. Any such provision that obligates the corporation to provide indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law shall be deemed, unless the articles of incorporation or any such bylaw or resolution expressly provides otherwise, also to obligate the corporation to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law in accordance with § 13.1-699 except that the applicable standard shall be conduct that does not constitute willful misconduct or a knowing violation of criminal law, rather than the standard of conduct prescribed in § 13.1-697. Unless the articles of incorporation, or any such bylaw or resolution expressly provide otherwise, any determination as to the right to any further indemnity shall be made in accordance with subsection B of § 13.1-701. Each such indemnity may continue as to a person who has ceased to have the capacity referred to above and may inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":253477,"text":"A right of indemnification or advance for expenses created under this article or under subsection B and in effect at the time of an act or omission shall not be reduced, eliminated, or impaired by any amendment of the articles of incorporation or bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders adopted after the occurrence of such act or omission unless, in the case of a right created under subsection B, the provision creating such right and in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such reduction, elimination, or impairment after such act or omission has occurred.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":253478,"text":"Any provision pursuant to subsection B shall not obligate the corporation to indemnify or advance expenses to a director of a predecessor of the corporation, pertaining to conduct with respect to the predecessor, unless otherwise expressly provided. Any provision for indemnification or advance for expenses in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors or shareholders of a predecessor of the corporation in a merger or in a contract to which the predecessor is a party, existing at the time the merger takes effect, shall be governed by subdivision A 4 of § 13.1-721.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":253479,"text":"This article does not limit a corporation’s power to pay or reimburse expenses incurred by a director or an officer in connection with his or her appearance as a witness in a proceeding at a time when he or she is not a party.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"6":{"id":253480,"text":"This article does not limit a corporation’s power to provide indemnity to, advance or reimburse expenses incurred by, or provide or maintain insurance on behalf of an agent or an employee who is not a director or officer.","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15231,"edition_id":1,"name":"Indemnification","identifier":"10","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12983,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:53:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:53:12","permalink":{"id":150265,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15231,"identifier":"10","token":"13.1\/9\/10","url":"\/13.1\/9\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12983,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Stock Corporation Act","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12744,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:06","permalink":{"id":150163,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12983,"identifier":"9","token":"13.1\/9","url":"\/13.1\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12744,"edition_id":1,"name":"Corporations","identifier":"13.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":147493,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12744,"identifier":"13.1","token":"13.1","url":"\/13.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83273,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-696","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/13.1-696\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-696","metadata":false},{"id":64034,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-697","catch_line":"Authority to indemnify","url":"\/13.1-697\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-697","metadata":false},{"id":69826,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-698","catch_line":"Mandatory indemnification","url":"\/13.1-698\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-698","metadata":false},{"id":62700,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-699","catch_line":"Advance for expenses","url":"\/13.1-699\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-699","metadata":false},{"id":80595,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-700","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/13.1-700\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-700","metadata":false},{"id":57995,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-700.1","catch_line":"Court orders for advance, reimbursement, or indemnification","url":"\/13.1-700.1\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-700.1","metadata":false},{"id":83208,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-701","catch_line":"Determination and authorization of indemnification","url":"\/13.1-701\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-701","metadata":false},{"id":72780,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-702","catch_line":"Advance for expenses and indemnification for officers","url":"\/13.1-702\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-702","metadata":false},{"id":59811,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-703","catch_line":"Insurance","url":"\/13.1-703\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-703","metadata":false},{"id":70191,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-704","catch_line":"Application of article","url":"\/13.1-704\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-704","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59811,"structure_id":15231,"section_number":"13.1-703","catch_line":"Insurance","url":"\/13.1-703\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-703","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/13.1-704\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 10 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1968, chapter 570; in 1975, chapter 500; in 1979, chapter 99; in 1985, chapter 522; in 1987, chapters 59 and 257; in 1988, chapter 561; in 2005, chapter 765<\/a>; in 2007, chapter 165<\/a>; in 2010, chapter 782<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 734<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":64034,"section_number":"13.1-697","catch_line":"Authority to indemnify","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-697\/"},{"id":57995,"section_number":"13.1-700.1","catch_line":"Court orders for advance, reimbursement, or indemnification","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-700.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":64034,"section_number":"13.1-697","catch_line":"Authority to indemnify","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-697\/"},{"id":62700,"section_number":"13.1-699","catch_line":"Advance for expenses","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-699\/"},{"id":83208,"section_number":"13.1-701","catch_line":"Determination and authorization of indemnification","order_by":null,"url":"\/13.1-701\/"}],"permalink":{"id":150303,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70191,"identifier":"13.1-704","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-704","url":"\/13.1-704\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/13.1-704\/","token":"13.1\/9\/10\/13.1-704","dublin_core":{"Title":"Application of article","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 13.1-704","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Unless the articles of incorporation<\/span> or bylaws expressly provide otherwise, any authorization of indemnification or advances or reimbursement of expenses<\/span> in the articles of incorporation<\/span> or bylaws shall not be deemed to prevent the corporation<\/span> from providing indemnity or advances or reimbursement of expenses<\/span> permitted or mandated by this article. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A corporation<\/span>, by a provision in its articles of incorporation<\/span> or bylaws or in a resolution adopted or a contract<\/span> approved by the board of directors<\/span> or shareholders<\/span>, may obligate itself in advance of the act or omission giving rise to a proceeding<\/span> to provide indemnification in accordance with § 13.1-697<\/a> or subsection C and advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses<\/span> in accordance with § 13.1-699<\/a>. Any such obligatory provision shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements for authorization referred to in subsection C of § 13.1-699<\/a> and subsection C of § 13.1-701<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any corporation<\/span> shall have power to make any further indemnity, including indemnity with respect to a proceeding<\/span> by or in the right of the corporation<\/span>, and to make additional provision for advances and reimbursement of expenses<\/span>, to any director<\/span> or officer<\/span> that may be authorized by the articles of incorporation<\/span> or any bylaw made by the shareholders<\/span> or any resolution adopted, before or after the event, by the shareholders<\/span>, except an indemnity against (i) his willful misconduct or (ii) a knowing violation of criminal law<\/span>. Any such provision that obligates the corporation<\/span> to provide indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law<\/span> shall be deemed, unless the articles of incorporation<\/span> or any such bylaw or resolution expressly provides otherwise, also to obligate the corporation<\/span> to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses<\/span> to the fullest extent permitted by law<\/span> in accordance with § 13.1-699<\/a> except that the applicable standard shall be conduct that does not constitute willful misconduct or a knowing violation of criminal law<\/span>, rather than the standard of conduct prescribed in § 13.1-697<\/a>. Unless the articles of incorporation<\/span>, or any such bylaw or resolution expressly provide otherwise, any determination as to the right to any further indemnity shall be made in accordance with subsection B of § 13.1-701<\/a>. Each such indemnity may continue as to a person<\/span> who has ceased to have the capacity referred to above and may inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such a person<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A right of indemnification or advance for expenses<\/span> created under this article or under subsection B and in effect at the time of an act or omission shall not be reduced, eliminated, or impaired by any amendment of the articles of incorporation<\/span> or bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors<\/span> or shareholders<\/span> adopted after the occurrence of such act or omission unless, in the case of a right created under subsection B, the provision creating such right and in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such reduction, elimination, or impairment after such act or omission has occurred. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> Any provision pursuant to subsection B shall not obligate the corporation<\/span> to indemnify or advance expenses<\/span> to a director<\/span> of a predecessor of the corporation<\/span>, pertaining to conduct with respect to the predecessor, unless otherwise expressly provided. Any provision for indemnification or advance for expenses<\/span> in the articles of incorporation<\/span> or bylaws, or a resolution of the board of directors<\/span> or shareholders<\/span> of a predecessor of the corporation<\/span> in a merger<\/span> or in a contract<\/span> to which the predecessor is a party<\/span>, existing at the time the merger<\/span> takes effect, shall be governed by subdivision A 4 of § 13.1-721<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> This article does not limit a corporation<\/span>’s power to pay or reimburse expenses<\/span> incurred by a director<\/span> or an officer<\/span> in connection with his or her appearance<\/span> as a witness<\/span> in a proceeding<\/span> at a time when he or she is not a party<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> This article does not limit a corporation<\/span>’s power to provide indemnity to, advance or reimburse expenses<\/span> incurred by, or provide or maintain insurance on behalf of an agent or an employee who is not a director<\/span> or officer<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nAPPLICATION OF ARTICLE (\u00a7 13.1-704)\n\nA. Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws expressly provide otherwise,\nany authorization of indemnification or advances or reimbursement of expenses in\nthe articles of incorporation or bylaws shall not be deemed to prevent the\ncorporation from providing indemnity or advances or reimbursement of expenses\npermitted or mandated by this article.\n\nB. A corporation, by a provision in its articles of incorporation or bylaws or\nin a resolution adopted or a contract approved by the board of directors or\nshareholders, may obligate itself in advance of the act or omission giving rise\nto a proceeding to provide indemnification in accordance with § 13.1-697 or\nsubsection C and advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses in accordance\nwith § 13.1-699. Any such obligatory provision shall be deemed to satisfy\nthe requirements for authorization referred to in subsection C of §\n13.1-699 and subsection C of § 13.1-701.\n\nC. Any corporation shall have power to make any further indemnity, including\nindemnity with respect to a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation,\nand to make additional provision for advances and reimbursement of expenses, to\nany director or officer that may be authorized by the articles of incorporation\nor any bylaw made by the shareholders or any resolution adopted, before or after\nthe event, by the shareholders, except an indemnity against (i) his willful\nmisconduct or (ii) a knowing violation of criminal law. Any such provision that\nobligates the corporation to provide indemnification to the fullest extent\npermitted by law shall be deemed, unless the articles of incorporation or any\nsuch bylaw or resolution expressly provides otherwise, also to obligate the\ncorporation to advance funds to pay for or reimburse expenses to the fullest\nextent permitted by law in accordance with § 13.1-699 except that the\napplicable standard shall be conduct that does not constitute willful misconduct\nor a knowing violation of criminal law, rather than the standard of conduct\nprescribed in § 13.1-697. Unless the articles of incorporation, or any such\nbylaw or resolution expressly provide otherwise, any determination as to the\nright to any further indemnity shall be made in accordance with subsection B of\n§ 13.1-701. Each such indemnity may continue as to a person who has ceased\nto have the capacity referred to above and may inure to the benefit of the\nheirs, executors, and administrators of such a person.\n\nD. A right of indemnification or advance for expenses created under this article\nor under subsection B and in effect at the time of an act or omission shall not\nbe reduced, eliminated, or impaired by any amendment of the articles of\nincorporation or bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors or\nshareholders adopted after the occurrence of such act or omission unless, in the\ncase of a right created under subsection B, the provision creating such right\nand in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such\nreduction, elimination, or impairment after such act or omission has occurred.\n\nE. Any provision pursuant to subsection B shall not obligate the corporation to\nindemnify or advance expenses to a director of a predecessor of the corporation,\npertaining to conduct with respect to the predecessor, unless otherwise\nexpressly provided. Any provision for indemnification or advance for expenses in\nthe articles of incorporation or bylaws, or a resolution of the board of\ndirectors or shareholders of a predecessor of the corporation in a merger or in\na contract to which the predecessor is a party, existing at the time the merger\ntakes effect, shall be governed by subdivision A 4 of § 13.1-721.\n\nF. This article does not limit a corporation’s power to pay or reimburse\nexpenses incurred by a director or an officer in connection with his or her\nappearance as a witness in a proceeding at a time when he or she is not a party.\n\nG. This article does not limit a corporation’s power to provide indemnity\nto, advance or reimburse expenses incurred by, or provide or maintain insurance\non behalf of an agent or an employee who is not a director or officer.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 13.1-3.1; 1968, c. 570; 1975, c. 500; 1979, c. 99; 1985,\nc. 522; 1987, cc. 59, 257; 1988, c. 561; 2005, c. 765; 2007, c. 165; 2010, c.\n782; 2019, c. 734.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}