{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3525.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3525.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3525.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3525.html"}],"law_id":63758,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63758,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3525","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","history":"1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-1130.7; 1997, c. 587; 2010, cc. 386, 629.","full_text":"The special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this article for the establishment of a consolidated city, direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it, or, in its discretion, before a single judge for a conference to consider:\n\n1\n\nSimplification of the issues;2\n\nAmendment of pleadings and filing of additional pleadings;3\n\nStipulations as to facts, documents, records, photographs, plans and like matters, which will dispense with formal proof thereof, including:\n\t\t\ta. The assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values as determined by the State Department of Taxation in the counties, cities and towns proposing to consolidate, including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants’ capital and public service corporation assessments for each year of the five years immediately preceding;\n\t\t\tb. The school population and school enrollment in the area proposing to consolidate, as shown by the records in the office of the division superintendent of schools; and the cost of education per pupil in average daily membership as shown by the last preceding report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and\n\t\t\tc. The population and the density of population of the area proposing to consolidate;4\n\nThe method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner;5\n\nLimitation on the number of expert witnesses, as well as requiring each expert witness who will testify to file a statement of his qualifications;6\n\nSuch other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.\n\t\t\tThe court, or the judge as the case may be, shall make an appropriate order which will control the subsequent conduct of the case unless modified before or at the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":232267,"text":"The special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this article for the establishment of a consolidated city, direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it, or, in its discretion, before a single judge for a conference to consider:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":232268,"text":"Simplification of the issues;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":232269,"text":"Amendment of pleadings and filing of additional pleadings;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":232270,"text":"Stipulations as to facts, documents, records, photographs, plans and like matters, which will dispense with formal proof thereof, including:\n\t\t\ta. The assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values as determined by the State Department of Taxation in the counties, cities and towns proposing to consolidate, including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants’ capital and public service corporation assessments for each year of the five years immediately preceding;\n\t\t\tb. The school population and school enrollment in the area proposing to consolidate, as shown by the records in the office of the division superintendent of schools; and the cost of education per pupil in average daily membership as shown by the last preceding report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and\n\t\t\tc. The population and the density of population of the area proposing to consolidate;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":232271,"text":"The method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":232272,"text":"Limitation on the number of expert witnesses, as well as requiring each expert witness who will testify to file a statement of his qualifications;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":232273,"text":"Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.\n\t\t\tThe court, or the judge as the case may be, shall make an appropriate order which will control the subsequent conduct of the case unless modified before or at the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13191,"edition_id":1,"name":"Consolidation of Certain Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"2","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13098,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:25","permalink":{"id":157351,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13191,"identifier":"2","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2","url":"\/15.2\/III\/35\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13098,"edition_id":1,"name":"Consolidation of Localities","identifier":"35","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:17","permalink":{"id":157267,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13098,"identifier":"35","token":"15.2\/III\/35","url":"\/15.2\/III\/35\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13062,"edition_id":1,"name":"Boundary Adjustments and Changes of Status of Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","permalink":{"id":156919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13062,"identifier":"III","token":"15.2\/III","url":"\/15.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":62773,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3520","catch_line":"Counties, cities and towns specified; alternative consolidations","url":"\/15.2-3520\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3520","metadata":false},{"id":76869,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3521","catch_line":"Proposed consolidated city; notice of motion; service and publication","url":"\/15.2-3521\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3521","metadata":false},{"id":76330,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3522","catch_line":"Petition; appointment of special court","url":"\/15.2-3522\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3522","metadata":false},{"id":77723,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3523","catch_line":"Parties","url":"\/15.2-3523\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3523","metadata":false},{"id":56869,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3524","catch_line":"Time limit for intervenors","url":"\/15.2-3524\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3524","metadata":false},{"id":63758,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3525","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3525\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3525","metadata":false},{"id":72751,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3526","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","url":"\/15.2-3526\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3526","metadata":false},{"id":81937,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3527","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3527\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3527","metadata":false},{"id":74300,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3528","catch_line":"Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3528\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3528","metadata":false},{"id":67012,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3529","catch_line":"Consolidation agreement generally; advisory committee; filing agreement and referendum petition with court","url":"\/15.2-3529\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3529","metadata":false},{"id":57135,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3530","catch_line":"Continuation of services of Department of Transportation after consolidation","url":"\/15.2-3530\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3530","metadata":false},{"id":66517,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3531","catch_line":"Voters' petition requesting consolidation agreement and referendum","url":"\/15.2-3531\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3531","metadata":false},{"id":80311,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3532","catch_line":"Required provisions of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3532\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3532","metadata":false},{"id":54885,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3533","catch_line":"Transfer of property and indebtedness","url":"\/15.2-3533\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3533","metadata":false},{"id":57984,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3534","catch_line":"Optional provisions of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3534\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3534","metadata":false},{"id":55792,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3535","catch_line":"Advertising of charter","url":"\/15.2-3535\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3535","metadata":false},{"id":58929,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3536","catch_line":"Charter for consolidated city","url":"\/15.2-3536\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3536","metadata":false},{"id":74992,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3537","catch_line":"Publication of consolidation agreement","url":"\/15.2-3537\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3537","metadata":false},{"id":57289,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3538","catch_line":"Order for election","url":"\/15.2-3538\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3538","metadata":false},{"id":76047,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3539","catch_line":"Conduct of election","url":"\/15.2-3539\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3539","metadata":false},{"id":87413,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3540","catch_line":"Result of elections; determination of form of government","url":"\/15.2-3540\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3540","metadata":false},{"id":85286,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3541","catch_line":"General effect of consolidation; officers","url":"\/15.2-3541\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3541","metadata":false},{"id":84944,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3542","catch_line":"Governing body to be elected and take office before effective date of consolidation in certain cases; powers","url":"\/15.2-3542\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3542","metadata":false},{"id":67281,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3543","catch_line":"Electoral board, general registrar and officers of election","url":"\/15.2-3543\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3543","metadata":false},{"id":54206,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3544","catch_line":"Effect on pending suits","url":"\/15.2-3544\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3544","metadata":false},{"id":66202,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3545","catch_line":"Effect on assembly districts","url":"\/15.2-3545\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3545","metadata":false},{"id":81817,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3546","catch_line":"Effect on jurisdiction of courts","url":"\/15.2-3546\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3546","metadata":false},{"id":60743,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3547","catch_line":"Consolidation of entire county requires no action of town council","url":"\/15.2-3547\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3547","metadata":false},{"id":82967,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3548","catch_line":"Effect on town charter","url":"\/15.2-3548\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3548","metadata":false},{"id":66812,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3549","catch_line":"Powers of a tier-city","url":"\/15.2-3549\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3549","metadata":false},{"id":77012,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3550","catch_line":"Effect of consolidation into single county; exceptions for tier-city","url":"\/15.2-3550\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3550","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":56869,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3524","catch_line":"Time limit for intervenors","url":"\/15.2-3524\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3524","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":72751,"structure_id":13191,"section_number":"15.2-3526","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","url":"\/15.2-3526\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3526","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3525\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 85 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 386<\/a> and 629<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":157373,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63758,"identifier":"15.2-3525","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3525","url":"\/15.2-3525\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3525\/","token":"15.2\/III\/35\/2\/15.2-3525","dublin_core":{"Title":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3525","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The special court<\/span> shall, prior to hearing<\/span> any case under this article for the establishment of a consolidated city<\/span>, direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it, or, in its discretion, before a single judge<\/span> for a conference to consider:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Simplification of the issues<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Amendment of pleadings<\/span> and filing of additional pleadings<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Stipulations<\/span> as to facts<\/span>, documents, records, photographs, plans and like matters, which will dispense with formal proof thereof, including:\n\t\t\ta. The assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values as determined by the State Department of Taxation in the counties, cities and towns<\/span> proposing to consolidate, including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants’ capital and public service corporation assessments for each year of the five years immediately preceding;\n\t\t\tb. The school population and school enrollment in the area proposing to consolidate, as shown by the records in the office of the division superintendent of schools; and the cost of education per pupil in average daily membership as shown by the last preceding report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and\n\t\t\tc. The population and the density of population of the area proposing to consolidate; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Limitation on the number of expert witnesses, as well as requiring each expert witness<\/span> who will testify to file a statement of his qualifications; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Such other matters as may aid in the disposition<\/span> of the case.\n\t\t\tThe court<\/span>, or the judge<\/span> as the case may be, shall make an appropriate order<\/span> which will control the subsequent conduct of the case unless modified before or at the trial<\/span> or hearing<\/span> to prevent manifest injustice. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPRETRIAL CONFERENCE; MATTERS CONSIDERED (\u00a7 15.2-3525)\n\nThe special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this article for the\nestablishment of a consolidated city, direct the attorneys for the parties to\nappear before it, or, in its discretion, before a single judge for a conference\nto consider:\n\n1. Simplification of the issues;\n\n2. Amendment of pleadings and filing of additional pleadings;\n\n3. Stipulations as to facts, documents, records, photographs, plans and like\nmatters, which will dispense with formal proof thereof, including:\n\t\t\ta. The assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values as\ndetermined by the State Department of Taxation in the counties, cities and towns\nproposing to consolidate, including real property, personal property, machinery\nand tools, merchants’ capital and public service corporation assessments\nfor each year of the five years immediately preceding;\n\t\t\tb. The school population and school enrollment in the area proposing to\nconsolidate, as shown by the records in the office of the division\nsuperintendent of schools; and the cost of education per pupil in average daily\nmembership as shown by the last preceding report of the Superintendent of Public\nInstruction; and\n\t\t\tc. The population and the density of population of the area proposing to\nconsolidate;\n\n4. The method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner;\n\n5. Limitation on the number of expert witnesses, as well as requiring each\nexpert witness who will testify to file a statement of his qualifications;\n\n6. Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the case.\n\t\t\tThe court, or the judge as the case may be, shall make an appropriate order\nwhich will control the subsequent conduct of the case unless modified before or\nat the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-1130.7; 1997, c. 587; 2010, cc. 386, 629.","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}}