{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-3806.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-3806.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-3806.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-3806.html"}],"law_id":71867,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71867,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3806","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","history":"1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-982.7; 1997, c. 587; 2010, cc. 386, 629.","full_text":"The special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this chapter, 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. Assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values, as determined by the State Department of Taxation, in the town seeking to become a city and in the remaining portion of the county including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants’ capital and public service corporation assessment for each year of the five years immediately preceding;\n\t\t\tb. School population and school enrollment in the town seeking to become a city and in the remaining portion of the county, 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 most recent report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and\n\t\t\tc. Population and the population density of the town seeking to become a city and of the remaining portion of the county;4\n\nThe method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner;5\n\nLimitation on the number of expert witnesses; each expert witness who will testify shall file a statement of his qualifications; and6\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 during the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":258927,"text":"The special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this chapter, 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":258928,"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":258929,"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":258930,"text":"Stipulations as to facts, documents, records, photographs, plans and like matters, which will dispense with formal proof thereof, including:\n\t\t\ta. Assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values, as determined by the State Department of Taxation, in the town seeking to become a city and in the remaining portion of the county including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants’ capital and public service corporation assessment for each year of the five years immediately preceding;\n\t\t\tb. School population and school enrollment in the town seeking to become a city and in the remaining portion of the county, 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 most recent report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and\n\t\t\tc. Population and the population density of the town seeking to become a city and of the remaining portion of the county;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":258931,"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":258932,"text":"Limitation on the number of expert witnesses; each expert witness who will testify shall file a statement of his qualifications; and","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":258933,"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 during 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":13063,"edition_id":1,"name":"Transition of Towns to Cities","identifier":"38","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13062,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:12","permalink":{"id":157557,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13063,"identifier":"38","token":"15.2\/III\/38","url":"\/15.2\/III\/38\/","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":80368,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3800","catch_line":"Ordinance petitioning court for city status; appointment of special court","url":"\/15.2-3800\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3800","metadata":false},{"id":59085,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3801","catch_line":"Referendum","url":"\/15.2-3801\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3801","metadata":false},{"id":80173,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3802","catch_line":"Town and county agreement concerning proposed city","url":"\/15.2-3802\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3802","metadata":false},{"id":66107,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3803","catch_line":"Notice of motion; service and publication; answer or other pleading","url":"\/15.2-3803\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3803","metadata":false},{"id":84061,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3804","catch_line":"Parties","url":"\/15.2-3804\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3804","metadata":false},{"id":72646,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3805","catch_line":"Time limit for intervenors; publication of order","url":"\/15.2-3805\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3805","metadata":false},{"id":71867,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3806","catch_line":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","url":"\/15.2-3806\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3806","metadata":false},{"id":83950,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3807","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","url":"\/15.2-3807\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3807","metadata":false},{"id":67826,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3808","catch_line":"Assistance of state agencies","url":"\/15.2-3808\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3808","metadata":false},{"id":62141,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3809","catch_line":"Appeals","url":"\/15.2-3809\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3809","metadata":false},{"id":86663,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3810","catch_line":"Declining of grant of city status","url":"\/15.2-3810\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3810","metadata":false},{"id":68815,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3811","catch_line":"Proceeding final for three years","url":"\/15.2-3811\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3811","metadata":false},{"id":61530,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3812","catch_line":"Effect when town becomes city","url":"\/15.2-3812\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3812","metadata":false},{"id":70595,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3813","catch_line":"Town liabilities and assets","url":"\/15.2-3813\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3813","metadata":false},{"id":69704,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3814","catch_line":"Mayor of town to continue in office","url":"\/15.2-3814\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3814","metadata":false},{"id":59418,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3815","catch_line":"Council of town to continue in office; additional members","url":"\/15.2-3815\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3815","metadata":false},{"id":56370,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3816","catch_line":"Town treasurer to continue in office; appointment where town had no treasurer","url":"\/15.2-3816\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3816","metadata":false},{"id":87034,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3817","catch_line":"Commissioner of revenue or assessor to continue in office; appointment where town had no commissioner or assessor","url":"\/15.2-3817\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3817","metadata":false},{"id":74687,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3818","catch_line":"Town sergeant to continue in office","url":"\/15.2-3818\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3818","metadata":false},{"id":84553,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3819","catch_line":"Election and terms of office of mayor and councilmen after town becomes city","url":"\/15.2-3819\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3819","metadata":false},{"id":54116,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3820","catch_line":"Election and terms of other city officers","url":"\/15.2-3820\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3820","metadata":false},{"id":58702,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3821","catch_line":"Qualification of officers; vacancies","url":"\/15.2-3821\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3821","metadata":false},{"id":78502,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3822","catch_line":"Sharing of offices; transfer of jurisdiction","url":"\/15.2-3822\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3822","metadata":false},{"id":71166,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3823","catch_line":"Tenure and reelection of county officer whose homesite becomes part of city","url":"\/15.2-3823\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3823","metadata":false},{"id":66773,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3824","catch_line":"Town officers","url":"\/15.2-3824\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3824","metadata":false},{"id":71501,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3825","catch_line":"Courts","url":"\/15.2-3825\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3825","metadata":false},{"id":66417,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3826","catch_line":"Appointment of electoral board, sheriff, attorney for the Commonwealth and circuit court clerk","url":"\/15.2-3826\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3826","metadata":false},{"id":78169,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3827","catch_line":"Transfer of assessments to city books","url":"\/15.2-3827\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3827","metadata":false},{"id":61596,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3828","catch_line":"State, county and district taxes accruing before transition; county sales and use tax becomes city sales and use tax","url":"\/15.2-3828\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3828","metadata":false},{"id":61008,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3829","catch_line":"Assumption of debt; adjustment","url":"\/15.2-3829\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3829","metadata":false},{"id":69691,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3830","catch_line":"Certain costs and expenses to be apportioned between city and county","url":"\/15.2-3830\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3830","metadata":false},{"id":62813,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3831","catch_line":"Registrars and their duties","url":"\/15.2-3831\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3831","metadata":false},{"id":72807,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3832","catch_line":"Authority to city to provide by condemnation, etc., water, light, power and fuel","url":"\/15.2-3832\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3832","metadata":false},{"id":80329,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3833","catch_line":"Chapter not applicable to cities already existing","url":"\/15.2-3833\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3833","metadata":false},{"id":69864,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3834","catch_line":"Congressional, etc., districts and judicial circuit not changed","url":"\/15.2-3834\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3834","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":72646,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3805","catch_line":"Time limit for intervenors; publication of order","url":"\/15.2-3805\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3805","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":83950,"structure_id":13063,"section_number":"15.2-3807","catch_line":"Hearing and decision by court","url":"\/15.2-3807\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3807","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-3806\/","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":157583,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71867,"identifier":"15.2-3806","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3806","url":"\/15.2-3806\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-3806\/","token":"15.2\/III\/38\/15.2-3806","dublin_core":{"Title":"Pretrial conference; matters considered","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-3806","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 chapter, 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. Assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values, as determined by the State Department of Taxation, in the town<\/span> seeking to become a city<\/span> and in the remaining portion of the county<\/span> including real property, personal property, machinery and tools, merchants’ capital and public service corporation assessment for each year of the five years immediately preceding;\n\t\t\tb. School population and school enrollment in the town<\/span> seeking to become a city<\/span> and in the remaining portion of the county<\/span>, 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 most recent report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction; and\n\t\t\tc. Population and the population density of the town<\/span> seeking to become a city<\/span> and of the remaining portion of the county<\/span>; <\/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; each expert witness<\/span> who will testify shall file a statement of his qualifications; and <\/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 during 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 15.2-3806)\n\nThe special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this chapter, direct\nthe attorneys for the parties to appear before it or, in its discretion, before\na single judge, for a conference to 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. Assessed values and the ratio of assessed values to true values, as\ndetermined by the State Department of Taxation, in the town seeking to become a\ncity and in the remaining portion of the county including real property,\npersonal property, machinery and tools, merchants’ capital and public\nservice corporation assessment for each year of the five years immediately\npreceding;\n\t\t\tb. School population and school enrollment in the town seeking to become a\ncity and in the remaining portion of the county, as shown by the records in the\noffice of the division superintendent of schools; and the cost of education per\npupil in average daily membership, as shown by the most recent report of the\nSuperintendent of Public Instruction; and\n\t\t\tc. Population and the population density of the town seeking to become a city\nand of the remaining portion of the county;\n\n4. The method of taking any population census requested by the petitioner;\n\n5. Limitation on the number of expert witnesses; each expert witness who will\ntestify shall file a statement of his qualifications; and\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\nduring the trial or hearing to prevent manifest injustice.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 85, \u00a7 15.1-982.7; 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}}