{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-4400.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-4400.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-4400.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-4400.html"}],"law_id":67200,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67200,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4400","catch_line":"Definitions","history":"1978, c. 658, \u00a7 38.1-791; 1986, c. 562; 1994, c. 224.","full_text":"As used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Contract holder” means a person entering into a subscription contract with an organization;\n\t\t“Fee discount” means predetermined amounts or reduced rates which are not substantially below the usual charge by the same attorney for those services, but not less than 70 percent of the rate usually charged non-participants for the same service, except for simple wills, simple name changes, preparation of non-complex legal documents, legal letters and calls, which may be less than 70 percent of the rate usually charged non-participants;\n\t\t“Legal services organization” or “organization” means a person subject to regulation and licensing under this chapter who operates, conducts or administers a legal services plan;\n\t\t“Legal services plan” or “plan” means a contractual obligation or an arrangement, whereby legal services are provided in consideration of a specified payment consisting in whole or in part of prepaid or periodic charges, regardless of whether the payment is made by the subscribers individually or by a third person for them;\n\t\t“Licensed attorney” means an attorney licensed by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners or other state licensing authority;\n\t\t“Participating provider” or “participating providers” means a licensed attorney, group of attorneys or any other person who has agreed through an organization to provide legal services to subscribers enrolled in a legal services plan;\n\t\t“Simple matters” or “simple legal matters” means legal matters that can be reasonably handled over the telephone, or with one or two office visits, or by a limited review of routine legal documents, and without legal representation to third parties;\n\t\t“Subscriber” means any person entitled to benefits under the terms and conditions of a subscription contract;\n\t\t“Subscription contract” means a written contract which is issued to a subscriber by an organization and which provides legal services or benefits for legal services.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":243614,"text":"As used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Contract holder” means a person entering into a subscription contract with an organization;\n\t\t“Fee discount” means predetermined amounts or reduced rates which are not substantially below the usual charge by the same attorney for those services, but not less than 70 percent of the rate usually charged non-participants for the same service, except for simple wills, simple name changes, preparation of non-complex legal documents, legal letters and calls, which may be less than 70 percent of the rate usually charged non-participants;\n\t\t“Legal services organization” or “organization” means a person subject to regulation and licensing under this chapter who operates, conducts or administers a legal services plan;\n\t\t“Legal services plan” or “plan” means a contractual obligation or an arrangement, whereby legal services are provided in consideration of a specified payment consisting in whole or in part of prepaid or periodic charges, regardless of whether the payment is made by the subscribers individually or by a third person for them;\n\t\t“Licensed attorney” means an attorney licensed by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners or other state licensing authority;\n\t\t“Participating provider” or “participating providers” means a licensed attorney, group of attorneys or any other person who has agreed through an organization to provide legal services to subscribers enrolled in a legal services plan;\n\t\t“Simple matters” or “simple legal matters” means legal matters that can be reasonably handled over the telephone, or with one or two office visits, or by a limited review of routine legal documents, and without legal representation to third parties;\n\t\t“Subscriber” means any person entitled to benefits under the terms and conditions of a subscription contract;\n\t\t“Subscription contract” means a written contract which is issued to a subscriber by an organization and which provides legal services or benefits for legal services.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14544,"edition_id":1,"name":"Legal Services Plans","identifier":"44","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12698,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:36","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:36","permalink":{"id":216961,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14544,"identifier":"44","token":"38.2\/44","url":"\/38.2\/44\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12698,"edition_id":1,"name":"Insurance","identifier":"38.2","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":210661,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12698,"identifier":"38.2","token":"38.2","url":"\/38.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67200,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4400","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/38.2-4400\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4400","metadata":false},{"id":66172,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4401","catch_line":"Certain contracts, etc., not deemed plans","url":"\/38.2-4401\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4401","metadata":false},{"id":56893,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4402","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-4402\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4402","metadata":false},{"id":56000,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4402.1","catch_line":"Corporate organization required","url":"\/38.2-4402.1\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4402.1","metadata":false},{"id":72704,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4403","catch_line":"The Virginia State Bar may sponsor plans","url":"\/38.2-4403\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4403","metadata":false},{"id":76693,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4404","catch_line":"Liability of participating providers","url":"\/38.2-4404\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4404","metadata":false},{"id":65331,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4405","catch_line":"Change of participating providers","url":"\/38.2-4405\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4405","metadata":false},{"id":68956,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4406","catch_line":"Board of directors of corporation operating plan","url":"\/38.2-4406\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4406","metadata":false},{"id":61494,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4407","catch_line":"Board of directors of plan created by attorneys","url":"\/38.2-4407\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4407","metadata":false},{"id":60078,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4408","catch_line":"Application of certain provisions","url":"\/38.2-4408\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4408","metadata":false},{"id":75181,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4408.1","catch_line":"Rehabilitation, liquidation, conservation","url":"\/38.2-4408.1\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4408.1","metadata":false},{"id":86796,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4409","catch_line":"Payments under plan","url":"\/38.2-4409\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4409","metadata":false},{"id":63734,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4410","catch_line":"Financial reports","url":"\/38.2-4410\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4410","metadata":false},{"id":77355,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4410.1","catch_line":"Examinations","url":"\/38.2-4410.1\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4410.1","metadata":false},{"id":74551,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4411","catch_line":"Subscriber to have free choice of participating providers available","url":"\/38.2-4411\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4411","metadata":false},{"id":67937,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4412","catch_line":"Subscriber to be advised in writing as to benefits and limitations thereon","url":"\/38.2-4412\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4412","metadata":false},{"id":85323,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4413","catch_line":"Licensing of 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contracts","url":"\/38.2-4418\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4418","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":66172,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4401","catch_line":"Certain contracts, etc., not deemed plans","url":"\/38.2-4401\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4401","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-4400\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1978. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 658 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 1978 \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 1986, chapter 562; in 1994, chapter 224<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":59918,"section_number":"38.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-100\/"},{"id":66056,"section_number":"38.2-203","catch_line":"Management and exclusive agency contracts subject to approval by Commission","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-203\/"},{"id":79956,"section_number":"38.2-501","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-501\/"},{"id":67626,"section_number":"38.2-508","catch_line":"Unfair discrimination","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-508\/"},{"id":68558,"section_number":"58.1-2501","catch_line":"Levy of license tax","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-2501\/"},{"id":85675,"section_number":"59.1-441.1","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-441.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":216963,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67200,"identifier":"38.2-4400","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4400","url":"\/38.2-4400\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-4400\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4400","dublin_core":{"Title":"Definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-4400","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Contract holder<\/span>” means a person<\/span> entering into a subscription contract<\/span> with an organization;\n\t\t“Fee discount<\/span>” means predetermined amounts or reduced rates<\/span><\/span> which are not substantially below the usual charge by the same attorney for those services, but not less than 70 percent of the rate<\/span> usually charged non-participants for the same service, except for simple wills, simple name changes, preparation of non-complex legal documents, legal letters and calls, which may be less than 70 percent of the rate<\/span> usually charged non-participants;\n\t\t“Legal services organization<\/span>” or “organization” means a person<\/span> subject to regulation and licensing under this chapter who operates, conducts or administers a legal services plan<\/span>;\n\t\t“Legal services plan<\/span>” or “plan” means a contractual obligation or an arrangement, whereby legal services are provided in consideration of a specified payment consisting in whole or in part of prepaid or periodic charges, regardless of whether the payment is made by the subscribers<\/span> individually or by a third person<\/span> for them;\n\t\t“Licensed attorney<\/span>” means an attorney licensed by the Virginia Board of Bar Examiners or other state<\/span> licensing authority;\n\t\t“Participating provider<\/span>” or “participating providers<\/span><\/span>” means a licensed attorney<\/span>, group of attorneys or any other person<\/span> who has agreed through an organization to provide legal services to subscribers<\/span> enrolled in a legal services plan<\/span>;\n\t\t“Simple matters<\/span>” or “simple legal matters<\/span>” means legal matters that can be reasonably handled over the telephone, or with one or two office visits, or by a limited review of routine legal documents, and without legal representation to third parties;\n\t\t“Subscriber<\/span>” means any person<\/span> entitled to benefits under the terms and conditions of a subscription contract<\/span>;\n\t\t“Subscription contract<\/span>” means a written contract which is issued to a subscriber<\/span> by an organization and which provides legal services or benefits for legal services.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDEFINITIONS (\u00a7 38.2-4400)\n\nAs used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Contract holder” means a person entering into a subscription\ncontract with an organization;\n\t\t“Fee discount” means predetermined amounts or reduced rates which\nare not substantially below the usual charge by the same attorney for those\nservices, but not less than 70 percent of the rate usually charged\nnon-participants for the same service, except for simple wills, simple name\nchanges, preparation of non-complex legal documents, legal letters and calls,\nwhich may be less than 70 percent of the rate usually charged non-participants;\n\t\t“Legal services organization” or “organization” means\na person subject to regulation and licensing under this chapter who operates,\nconducts or administers a legal services plan;\n\t\t“Legal services plan” or “plan” means a contractual\nobligation or an arrangement, whereby legal services are provided in\nconsideration of a specified payment consisting in whole or in part of prepaid\nor periodic charges, regardless of whether the payment is made by the\nsubscribers individually or by a third person for them;\n\t\t“Licensed attorney” means an attorney licensed by the Virginia\nBoard of Bar Examiners or other state licensing authority;\n\t\t“Participating provider” or “participating providers”\nmeans a licensed attorney, group of attorneys or any other person who has agreed\nthrough an organization to provide legal services to subscribers enrolled in a\nlegal services plan;\n\t\t“Simple matters” or “simple legal matters” means legal\nmatters that can be reasonably handled over the telephone, or with one or two\noffice visits, or by a limited review of routine legal documents, and without\nlegal representation to third parties;\n\t\t“Subscriber” means any person entitled to benefits under the terms\nand conditions of a subscription contract;\n\t\t“Subscription contract” means a written contract which is issued\nto a subscriber by an organization and which provides legal services or benefits\nfor legal services.\n\nHISTORY: 1978, c. 658, \u00a7 38.1-791; 1986, c. 562; 1994, c. 224.","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}}