{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/36-96.16.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/36-96.16.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/36-96.16.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/36-96.16.html"}],"law_id":77306,"edition_id":1,"section_id":77306,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.16","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board","history":"1991, c. 557; 1994, c. 814.","full_text":"A\n\nNot later than thirty days after a charge is referred by the Board to the Attorney General under § 36-96.14, the Attorney General shall commence and maintain a civil action seeking relief on behalf of the complainant in the circuit court for the city, county, or town in which the unlawful discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur.B\n\nAny aggrieved person with respect to the issues to be determined in a civil action pursuant to subsection A may intervene as of right.C\n\nIn a civil action under this section, if the court or jury finds that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court or jury may grant, as relief, any relief which a court could grant with respect to such discriminatory housing practice in a civil action under § 36-96.18. Any relief so granted that would accrue to an aggrieved person under § 36-96.18 shall also accrue to the aggrieved person in a civil action under this section. If monetary relief is sought for the benefit of an aggrieved person who does not intervene in the civil action, the court shall not award such relief if that aggrieved person has not complied with discovery orders entered by the court in the course of the action brought under this section.D\n\nIn any court proceeding arising under this section, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":277277,"text":"Not later than thirty days after a charge is referred by the Board to the Attorney General under § 36-96.14, the Attorney General shall commence and maintain a civil action seeking relief on behalf of the complainant in the circuit court for the city, county, or town in which the unlawful discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":277278,"text":"Any aggrieved person with respect to the issues to be determined in a civil action pursuant to subsection A may intervene as of right.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":277279,"text":"In a civil action under this section, if the court or jury finds that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court or jury may grant, as relief, any relief which a court could grant with respect to such discriminatory housing practice in a civil action under § 36-96.18. Any relief so granted that would accrue to an aggrieved person under § 36-96.18 shall also accrue to the aggrieved person in a civil action under this section. If monetary relief is sought for the benefit of an aggrieved person who does not intervene in the civil action, the court shall not award such relief if that aggrieved person has not complied with discovery orders entered by the court in the course of the action brought under this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":277280,"text":"In any court proceeding arising under this section, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13498,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Fair Housing Law","identifier":"5.1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12779,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:04","permalink":{"id":209181,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13498,"identifier":"5.1","token":"36\/5.1","url":"\/36\/5.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12779,"edition_id":1,"name":"Housing","identifier":"36","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":208257,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12779,"identifier":"36","token":"36","url":"\/36\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":65553,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.1","catch_line":"Declaration of policy","url":"\/36-96.1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1","metadata":false},{"id":61134,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.10","catch_line":"Procedures for investigation","url":"\/36-96.10\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.10","metadata":false},{"id":67356,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.11","catch_line":"Reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.11\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.11","metadata":false},{"id":72315,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.12","catch_line":"No reasonable cause determination and effect","url":"\/36-96.12\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.12","metadata":false},{"id":87140,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.13","catch_line":"Conciliation","url":"\/36-96.13\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.13","metadata":false},{"id":79737,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.14","catch_line":"Issuance of a charge","url":"\/36-96.14\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.14","metadata":false},{"id":79697,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.15","catch_line":"Prompt judicial action","url":"\/36-96.15\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.15","metadata":false},{"id":77306,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.16","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board","url":"\/36-96.16\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.16","metadata":false},{"id":85292,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.17","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General; matters involving the legality of any local zoning or other land use ordinance; pattern or practice cases; or referral of conciliation agreement for enforcement","url":"\/36-96.17\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.17","metadata":false},{"id":70010,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.18","catch_line":"Civil action; enforcement by private parties","url":"\/36-96.18\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.18","metadata":false},{"id":54812,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.19","catch_line":"Witness fees","url":"\/36-96.19\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.19","metadata":false},{"id":62921,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.1:1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/36-96.1_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":58122,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.2","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/36-96.2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.2","metadata":false},{"id":71220,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.20","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Real Estate Board; action on real estate licenses","url":"\/36-96.20\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.20","metadata":false},{"id":85652,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.21","catch_line":"Powers of counties, cities and towns","url":"\/36-96.21\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.21","metadata":false},{"id":58973,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.22","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/36-96.22\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.22","metadata":false},{"id":67360,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.23","catch_line":"Construction of law","url":"\/36-96.23\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.23","metadata":false},{"id":80070,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3","catch_line":"Unlawful discriminatory housing practices","url":"\/36-96.3\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3","metadata":false},{"id":85052,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3:1","catch_line":"Rights and responsibilities with respect to the use of an assistance animal in a dwelling","url":"\/36-96.3_1\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":58480,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.3:2","catch_line":"Reasonable accommodations; interactive process","url":"\/36-96.3_2\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.3_2","metadata":false},{"id":65380,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.4","catch_line":"Discrimination in residential real estate-related transactions; unlawful practices by lenders, insurers, appraisers, etc.; deposit of state funds in such institutions","url":"\/36-96.4\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.4","metadata":false},{"id":73766,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.5","catch_line":"Interference with enjoyment of rights of others under this chapter","url":"\/36-96.5\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.5","metadata":false},{"id":78240,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.6","catch_line":"Certain restrictive covenants void; instruments containing such covenants","url":"\/36-96.6\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.6","metadata":false},{"id":61889,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.7","catch_line":"Familial status protection not applicable to housing for older persons","url":"\/36-96.7\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.7","metadata":false},{"id":54463,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.8","catch_line":"Powers of Real Estate Board and Fair Housing Board","url":"\/36-96.8\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.8","metadata":false},{"id":79606,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.9","catch_line":"Procedures for receipt or initiation of complaint; notice to parties; filing of answer","url":"\/36-96.9\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":79697,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.15","catch_line":"Prompt judicial action","url":"\/36-96.15\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.15","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":85292,"structure_id":13498,"section_number":"36-96.17","catch_line":"Civil action by Attorney General; matters involving the legality of any local zoning or other land use ordinance; pattern or practice cases; or referral of conciliation agreement for enforcement","url":"\/36-96.17\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.17","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/36-96.16\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1991. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 557 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 1991 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 1994, chapter 814<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":79737,"section_number":"36-96.14","catch_line":"Issuance of a charge","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.14\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":79737,"section_number":"36-96.14","catch_line":"Issuance of a charge","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.14\/"},{"id":70010,"section_number":"36-96.18","catch_line":"Civil action; enforcement by private parties","order_by":null,"url":"\/36-96.18\/"}],"permalink":{"id":209211,"object_type":"law","relational_id":77306,"identifier":"36-96.16","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.16","url":"\/36-96.16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/36-96.16\/","token":"36\/5.1\/36-96.16","dublin_core":{"Title":"Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 36-96.16","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Not later than thirty days after a charge is referred by the Board to the Attorney General<\/span> under § 36-96.14<\/a>, the Attorney General<\/span> shall commence and maintain a civil action<\/span> seeking relief on behalf of the complainant<\/span> in the circuit<\/span> court<\/span> for the city, county, or town in which the unlawful discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any aggrieved person<\/span> with respect to the issues<\/span> to be determined in a civil action<\/span> pursuant to subsection A may intervene as of right. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In a civil action<\/span> under this section, if the court<\/span> or jury<\/span> finds that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court<\/span> or jury<\/span> may grant, as relief, any relief which a court<\/span> could grant with respect to such discriminatory housing practice in a civil action<\/span> under § 36-96.18<\/a>. Any relief so granted that would accrue to an aggrieved person<\/span> under § 36-96.18<\/a> shall also accrue to the aggrieved person<\/span> in a civil action<\/span> under this section. If monetary relief is sought for the benefit of an aggrieved person<\/span> who does not intervene in the civil action<\/span>, the court<\/span> shall not award such relief if that aggrieved person<\/span> has not complied with discovery<\/span> orders<\/span> entered by the court<\/span> in the course of the action brought under this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> In any court<\/span> proceeding arising under this section, the court<\/span>, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party<\/span> reasonable attorney’s fees and costs. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCIVIL ACTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL UPON REFERRAL OF CHARGE BY THE REAL ESTATE\nBOARD (\u00a7 36-96.16)\n\nA. Not later than thirty days after a charge is referred by the Board to the\nAttorney General under § 36-96.14, the Attorney General shall commence and\nmaintain a civil action seeking relief on behalf of the complainant in the\ncircuit court for the city, county, or town in which the unlawful discriminatory\nhousing practice has occurred or is about to occur.\n\nB. Any aggrieved person with respect to the issues to be determined in a civil\naction pursuant to subsection A may intervene as of right.\n\nC. In a civil action under this section, if the court or jury finds that a\ndiscriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court or\njury may grant, as relief, any relief which a court could grant with respect to\nsuch discriminatory housing practice in a civil action under § 36-96.18.\nAny relief so granted that would accrue to an aggrieved person under §\n36-96.18 shall also accrue to the aggrieved person in a civil action under this\nsection. If monetary relief is sought for the benefit of an aggrieved person who\ndoes not intervene in the civil action, the court shall not award such relief if\nthat aggrieved person has not complied with discovery orders entered by the\ncourt in the course of the action brought under this section.\n\nD. In any court proceeding arising under this section, the court, in its\ndiscretion, may allow the prevailing party reasonable attorney’s fees and\ncosts.\n\nHISTORY: 1991, c. 557; 1994, c. 814.","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}}