{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/38.2-4401.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/38.2-4401.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/38.2-4401.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/38.2-4401.html"}],"law_id":66172,"edition_id":1,"section_id":66172,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4401","catch_line":"Certain contracts, etc., not deemed plans","history":"1978, c. 658, \u00a7 38.1-802; 1986, c. 562; 1994, c. 224.","full_text":"For the purposes of this chapter, the following are not deemed to be legal services plans:\n\n1\n\nRetainer contracts made by attorneys with individual clients where fees are based on estimates of the nature and amount of services that will be provided to the specific client, and similar contracts made with a group of clients involved in the same or closely related legal matters;2\n\nPlans providing no benefits other than a limited amount of consultation and advice on simple matters either alone or in combination with referral services or on the promise of fee discounts for other matters;3\n\nPlans providing limited benefits on simple legal matters on an informal basis, not involving a legally binding promise, in the context of an employment, educational or similar relationship;4\n\nLegal services provided by unions or employee associations to their members in matters relating to employment or occupation;5\n\nLegal services provided by an agency of federal or state government or a subdivision of federal or state government to its employees; or6\n\nLegal services insurance as provided for in §§ 38.2-127 and 38.2-300 when provided by an insurer licensed pursuant to Chapter 10 (§ 38.2-1000 et seq.) of this title.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":240368,"text":"For the purposes of this chapter, the following are not deemed to be legal services 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simple legal matters on an informal basis, not involving a legally binding promise, in the context of an employment, educational or similar relationship;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":240372,"text":"Legal services provided by unions or employee associations to their members in matters relating to employment or occupation;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":240373,"text":"Legal services provided by an agency of federal or state government or a subdivision of federal or state government to its employees; or","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":240374,"text":"Legal services insurance as provided for in §§ 38.2-127 and 38.2-300 when provided by an insurer licensed pursuant to Chapter 10 (§ 38.2-1000 et seq.) of this title.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"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 organization","url":"\/38.2-4413\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4413","metadata":false},{"id":56736,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4414","catch_line":"Renewal of organization license","url":"\/38.2-4414\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4414","metadata":false},{"id":66329,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4415","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/38.2-4415\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4415","metadata":false},{"id":62348,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4416","catch_line":"Taxation","url":"\/38.2-4416\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4416","metadata":false},{"id":65595,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4417","catch_line":"Misleading applications or contracts","url":"\/38.2-4417\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4417","metadata":false},{"id":70492,"structure_id":14544,"section_number":"38.2-4418","catch_line":"Controversies involving subscription contracts","url":"\/38.2-4418\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4418","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"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},"next_section":{"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},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/38.2-4401\/","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":false,"refers_to":[{"id":58285,"section_number":"38.2-1000","catch_line":"Incorporation of domestic stock insurers","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-1000\/"},{"id":65571,"section_number":"38.2-127","catch_line":"Legal services insurance","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-127\/"},{"id":67920,"section_number":"38.2-300","catch_line":"Scope of chapter","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-300\/"}],"permalink":{"id":216967,"object_type":"law","relational_id":66172,"identifier":"38.2-4401","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4401","url":"\/38.2-4401\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/38.2-4401\/","token":"38.2\/44\/38.2-4401","dublin_core":{"Title":"Certain contracts, etc., not deemed plans","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 38.2-4401","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

For the purposes of this chapter, the following are not deemed to be legal services plans<\/span>:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Retainer contracts<\/span> made by attorneys with individual clients where fees are based on estimates of the nature and amount of services that will be provided to the specific client, and similar contracts<\/span> made with a group of clients involved in the same or closely related legal matters; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Plans providing no benefits other than a limited amount of consultation and advice on simple matters<\/span> either alone or in combination with referral services or on the promise of fee discounts<\/span> for other matters; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Plans providing limited benefits on simple legal matters<\/span> on an informal basis, not involving a legally binding promise, in the context of an employment, educational or similar relationship; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Legal services provided by unions or employee associations to their members in matters relating to employment or occupation; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Legal services provided by an agency of federal or state<\/span> government or a subdivision of federal or state<\/span> government to its employees; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Legal services insurance<\/span> as provided for in §§ 38.2-127<\/a> and 38.2-300<\/a> when provided by an insurer<\/span> licensed pursuant to Chapter 10 (§ 38.2-1000<\/a> et seq.) of this title. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCERTAIN CONTRACTS, ETC., NOT DEEMED PLANS (\u00a7 38.2-4401)\n\nFor the purposes of this chapter, the following are not deemed to be legal\nservices plans:\n\n1. Retainer contracts made by attorneys with individual clients where fees are\nbased on estimates of the nature and amount of services that will be provided to\nthe specific client, and similar contracts made with a group of clients involved\nin the same or closely related legal matters;\n\n2. Plans providing no benefits other than a limited amount of consultation and\nadvice on simple matters either alone or in combination with referral services\nor on the promise of fee discounts for other matters;\n\n3. Plans providing limited benefits on simple legal matters on an informal\nbasis, not involving a legally binding promise, in the context of an employment,\neducational or similar relationship;\n\n4. Legal services provided by unions or employee associations to their members\nin matters relating to employment or occupation;\n\n5. Legal services provided by an agency of federal or state government or a\nsubdivision of federal or state government to its employees; or\n\n6. Legal services insurance as provided for in §§ 38.2-127 and\n38.2-300 when provided by an insurer licensed pursuant to Chapter 10 (§\n38.2-1000 et seq.) of this title.\n\nHISTORY: 1978, c. 658, \u00a7 38.1-802; 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}}