{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-2.html"}],"law_id":80120,"edition_id":1,"section_id":80120,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-2","catch_line":"General definitions for this title","history":"1977, c. 617; 1988, c. 37; 1997, c. 921; 2005, cc. 681, 716; 2022, c. 299.","full_text":"As used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:\n\n1\n\n“Action” and “suit” may be used interchangeably and shall include all civil proceedings whether upon claims at law, in equity, or statutory in nature and whether in circuit courts or district courts;2\n\n“Decree” and “judgment” may be used interchangeably and shall include orders or awards;3\n\n“Fiduciary” shall include any one or more of the following:\n\t\t\ta. guardian,\n\t\t\tb. committee,\n\t\t\tc. trustee,\n\t\t\td. executor,\n\t\t\te. administrator, and administrator with the will annexed,\n\t\t\tf. curator of the will of any decedent, or\n\t\t\tg. conservator;4\n\n“Rendition of a judgment” means the time at which the judgment is signed and dated;5\n\n“Person” shall include individuals, a trust, an estate, a partnership, an association, an order, a corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity;6\n\n“Person under a disability” shall include:\n\t\t\ta. a person convicted of a felony during the period he is confined;\n\t\t\tb. an infant;\n\t\t\tc. an incapacitated person as defined in § 64.2-2000;\n\t\t\td. an incapacitated ex-service person under § 64.2-2016;\n\t\t\te. persons made defendants by the general description of “parties unknown” in suits involving real property; or\n\t\t\tf. any other person who, upon motion to the court by any party to an action or suit or by any person in interest, is determined to be (i) incapable of taking proper care of his person, or (ii) incapable of properly handling and managing his estate, or (iii) otherwise unable to defend his property or legal rights either because of age or temporary or permanent impairment, whether physical, mental, or both. Such impairment may also include substance abuse as defined in § 37.2-100;7\n\n“Sheriff” shall include deputy sheriffs and such other persons designated in § 15.2-1603;8\n\n“Summons” and “subpoena” may be used interchangeably and shall include a subpoena duces tecum for the production of documents and tangible things;9\n\n“Court of equity,”\"law and equity court,”\"law and chancery court,”\"chancery court,” “corporation court,” “the chancery side,” “court exercising powers in chancery,” “court with equitable jurisdiction,” and “receivership court” shall mean the circuit court when entertaining equitable claims;10\n\nA “motion for judgment,” “bill,” “bill of complaint,” or “bill in equity” shall mean a complaint in a civil action, as provided in the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia;11\n\n“Equity practice,” “equity procedure,” “chancery practice,” and “chancery procedure” shall mean practice and procedure in a civil action as prescribed by this Code and the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":286882,"text":"As used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":286883,"text":"“Action” and “suit” may be used interchangeably and shall include all civil proceedings whether upon claims at law, in equity, or statutory in nature and whether in circuit courts or district courts;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":286884,"text":"“Decree” and “judgment” may be used interchangeably and shall include orders or awards;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":286885,"text":"“Fiduciary” shall include any one or more of the following:\n\t\t\ta. guardian,\n\t\t\tb. committee,\n\t\t\tc. trustee,\n\t\t\td. executor,\n\t\t\te. administrator, and administrator with the will annexed,\n\t\t\tf. curator of the will of any decedent, or\n\t\t\tg. conservator;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":286886,"text":"“Rendition of a judgment” means the time at which the judgment is signed and dated;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":286887,"text":"“Person” shall include individuals, a trust, an estate, a partnership, an association, an order, a corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":286888,"text":"“Person under a disability” shall include:\n\t\t\ta. a person convicted of a felony during the period he is confined;\n\t\t\tb. an infant;\n\t\t\tc. an incapacitated person as defined in § 64.2-2000;\n\t\t\td. an incapacitated ex-service person under § 64.2-2016;\n\t\t\te. persons made defendants by the general description of “parties unknown” in suits involving real property; or\n\t\t\tf. any other person who, upon motion to the court by any party to an action or suit or by any person in interest, is determined to be (i) incapable of taking proper care of his person, or (ii) incapable of properly handling and managing his estate, or (iii) otherwise unable to defend his property or legal rights either because of age or temporary or permanent impairment, whether physical, mental, or both. Such impairment may also include substance abuse as defined in § 37.2-100;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":286889,"text":"“Sheriff” shall include deputy sheriffs and such other persons designated in § 15.2-1603;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":286890,"text":"“Summons” and “subpoena” may be used interchangeably and shall include a subpoena duces tecum for the production of documents and tangible things;","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":286891,"text":"“Court of equity,”\"law and equity court,”\"law and chancery court,”\"chancery court,” “corporation court,” “the chancery side,” “court exercising powers in chancery,” “court with equitable jurisdiction,” and “receivership court” shall mean the circuit court when entertaining equitable claims;","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8","next_prefix":"10"},"10":{"id":286892,"text":"A “motion for judgment,” “bill,” “bill of complaint,” or “bill in equity” shall mean a complaint in a civil action, as provided in the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia;","type":"section","prefixes":["10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"10","prefix_anchor":"10","level":1,"prior_prefix":"9","next_prefix":"11"},"11":{"id":286893,"text":"“Equity practice,” “equity procedure,” “chancery practice,” and “chancery procedure” shall mean practice and procedure in a civil action as prescribed by this Code and the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia.","type":"section","prefixes":["11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"11","prefix_anchor":"11","level":1,"prior_prefix":"10"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14798,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions as to Civil Cases","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:58","permalink":{"id":277031,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14798,"identifier":"1","token":"8.01\/1","url":"\/8.01\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12747,"edition_id":1,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":277029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12747,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":82903,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-1","catch_line":"How proceedings may be in actions pending when title takes effect","url":"\/8.01-1\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-1","metadata":false},{"id":56606,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-1.1","catch_line":"References to former sections, articles and chapters of Title 8 and other titles","url":"\/8.01-1.1\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-1.1","metadata":false},{"id":80120,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-2","catch_line":"General definitions for this title","url":"\/8.01-2\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-2","metadata":false},{"id":58043,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-3","catch_line":"Supreme Court may prescribe rules; effective date and availability; indexed, and annotated; effect of subsequent enactments of General Assembly","url":"\/8.01-3\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-3","metadata":false},{"id":87298,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4","catch_line":"District courts and circuit courts may prescribe certain rules","url":"\/8.01-4\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4","metadata":false},{"id":80567,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4.1","catch_line":"How jurisdiction determined when proceeding is on penal bond","url":"\/8.01-4.1\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4.1","metadata":false},{"id":78874,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4.2","catch_line":"Who may execute bond for obtaining writ or order","url":"\/8.01-4.2\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4.2","metadata":false},{"id":59734,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-4.3","catch_line":"Unsworn declarations under penalty of perjury; penalty","url":"\/8.01-4.3\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-4.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":56606,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-1.1","catch_line":"References to former sections, articles and chapters of Title 8 and other titles","url":"\/8.01-1.1\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-1.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":58043,"structure_id":14798,"section_number":"8.01-3","catch_line":"Supreme Court may prescribe rules; effective date and availability; indexed, and annotated; effect of subsequent enactments of General Assembly","url":"\/8.01-3\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1977. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 617 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 1977 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 4 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 1988, chapter 37; in 1997, chapter 921<\/a>; in 2005, chapters 681<\/a> and 716<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 299<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":83066,"section_number":"20-49.6","catch_line":"Proceedings to establish paternity or enforce support obligations of males between the ages of fourteen and eighteen","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-49.6\/"},{"id":67130,"section_number":"33.2-711","catch_line":"Guardian ad litem for persons under disability","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-711\/"},{"id":71660,"section_number":"45.2-1600","catch_line":" Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-1600\/"},{"id":83499,"section_number":"6.2-604","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/6.2-604\/"},{"id":68464,"section_number":"64.2-1416","catch_line":"Liability of fiduciary for actions of cofiduciary","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-1416\/"},{"id":55439,"section_number":"64.2-1502","catch_line":"In what securities fiduciaries may invest; definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-1502\/"},{"id":78326,"section_number":"64.2-502","catch_line":"Grant of administration of intestate estate","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-502\/"},{"id":57841,"section_number":"64.2-780","catch_line":"Definition of terms","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-780\/"},{"id":81233,"section_number":"8.01-262","catch_line":"Category B or permissible venue","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-262\/"},{"id":79218,"section_number":"8.01-338","catch_line":"Who disqualified","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-338\/"},{"id":73227,"section_number":"8.01-42.6","catch_line":"Liability of employer for personal injury or death by wrongful act","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-42.6\/"},{"id":78150,"section_number":"8.01-50","catch_line":"Action for death by wrongful act; how and when to be brought","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-50\/"},{"id":86177,"section_number":"8.01-601","catch_line":"Deposit with general receiver of certain funds under supervision of fiduciary and belonging to person under disability","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-601\/"},{"id":60042,"section_number":"8.01-623","catch_line":"Injunction against decree subject to bill of review; limitations to bill of review","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-623\/"},{"id":74750,"section_number":"8.01-67","catch_line":"Definitions; persons under a disability; fiduciary","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-67\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":58488,"section_number":"15.2-1603","catch_line":"Appointment of deputies; their powers; how removed","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1603\/"},{"id":76036,"section_number":"37.2-100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/37.2-100\/"},{"id":65465,"section_number":"64.2-2000","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-2000\/"},{"id":70686,"section_number":"64.2-2016","catch_line":"Trustees for incapacitated veterans and their beneficiaries","order_by":null,"url":"\/64.2-2016\/"}],"permalink":{"id":277041,"object_type":"law","relational_id":80120,"identifier":"8.01-2","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-2","url":"\/8.01-2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-2\/","token":"8.01\/1\/8.01-2","dublin_core":{"Title":"General definitions for this title","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

As used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> “Action<\/span>” and “suit<\/span>” may be used interchangeably and shall include all civil proceedings whether upon claims at law<\/span>, in equity<\/span>, or statutory in nature and whether in circuit<\/span> courts<\/span> or district courts<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> “Decree<\/span>” and “judgment<\/span>” may be used interchangeably and shall include orders<\/span> or awards; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> “Fiduciary<\/span>” shall include any one or more of the following:\n\t\t\ta. guardian,\n\t\t\tb. committee,\n\t\t\tc. trustee,\n\t\t\td. executor,\n\t\t\te. administrator, and administrator with the will annexed,\n\t\t\tf. curator of the will of any decedent, or\n\t\t\tg. conservator; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> “Rendition of a judgment<\/span>” means the time at which the judgment is signed and dated; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> “Person<\/span>” shall include individuals, a trust, an estate, a partnership, an association, an order<\/span>, a corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> “Person<\/span> under a disability” shall include:\n\t\t\ta. a person<\/span> convicted of a felony<\/span> during the period he is confined;\n\t\t\tb. an infant;\n\t\t\tc. an incapacitated person<\/span> as defined in § 64.2-2000<\/a>;\n\t\t\td. an incapacitated ex-service person<\/span> under § 64.2-2016<\/a>;\n\t\t\te. persons<\/span> made defendants<\/span> by the general description of “parties unknown” in suits<\/span> involving real property; or\n\t\t\tf. any other person<\/span> who, upon motion<\/span> to the court<\/span> by any party<\/span> to an action<\/span> or suit<\/span> or by any person<\/span> in interest, is determined to be (i) incapable of taking proper care of his person<\/span>, or (ii) incapable of properly handling and managing his estate, or (iii) otherwise unable to defend his property or legal rights either because of age or temporary or permanent impairment, whether physical, mental, or both. Such impairment may also include substance abuse as defined in § 37.2-100<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> “Sheriff<\/span>” shall include deputy sheriffs<\/span> and such other persons<\/span> designated in § 15.2-1603<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> “Summons<\/span>” and “subpoena” may be used interchangeably and shall include a subpoena duces tecum<\/span> for the production of documents and tangible things; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> “Court of equity<\/span>,”\"law<\/span> and equity<\/span> court,”\"law<\/span> and chancery<\/span> court,”\"chancery<\/span> court,” “corporation court,” “the chancery<\/span> side,” “court exercising powers in chancery<\/span>,” “court with equitable<\/span> jurisdiction<\/span>,” and “receivership court<\/span>” shall mean the circuit<\/span> court when entertaining equitable<\/span> claims; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> A “motion for judgment<\/span>,” “bill,” “bill of complaint<\/span>,” or “bill in equity<\/span>” shall mean a complaint in a civil action<\/span>, as provided in the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> “Equity practice,” “equity procedure,” “chancery practice,” and “chancery procedure<\/span>” shall mean practice and procedure in a civil action<\/span> as prescribed by this Code and the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nGENERAL DEFINITIONS FOR THIS TITLE (\u00a7 8.01-2)\n\nAs used in this title, unless the context otherwise requires, the term:\n\n1. “Action” and “suit” may be used interchangeably and\nshall include all civil proceedings whether upon claims at law, in equity, or\nstatutory in nature and whether in circuit courts or district courts;\n\n2. “Decree” and “judgment” may be used interchangeably\nand shall include orders or awards;\n\n3. “Fiduciary” shall include any one or more of the following:\n\t\t\ta. guardian,\n\t\t\tb. committee,\n\t\t\tc. trustee,\n\t\t\td. executor,\n\t\t\te. administrator, and administrator with the will annexed,\n\t\t\tf. curator of the will of any decedent, or\n\t\t\tg. conservator;\n\n4. “Rendition of a judgment” means the time at which the judgment is\nsigned and dated;\n\n5. “Person” shall include individuals, a trust, an estate, a\npartnership, an association, an order, a corporation, or any other legal or\ncommercial entity;\n\n6. “Person under a disability” shall include:\n\t\t\ta. a person convicted of a felony during the period he is confined;\n\t\t\tb. an infant;\n\t\t\tc. an incapacitated person as defined in § 64.2-2000;\n\t\t\td. an incapacitated ex-service person under § 64.2-2016;\n\t\t\te. persons made defendants by the general description of “parties\nunknown” in suits involving real property; or\n\t\t\tf. any other person who, upon motion to the court by any party to an action\nor suit or by any person in interest, is determined to be (i) incapable of\ntaking proper care of his person, or (ii) incapable of properly handling and\nmanaging his estate, or (iii) otherwise unable to defend his property or legal\nrights either because of age or temporary or permanent impairment, whether\nphysical, mental, or both. Such impairment may also include substance abuse as\ndefined in § 37.2-100;\n\n7. “Sheriff” shall include deputy sheriffs and such other persons\ndesignated in § 15.2-1603;\n\n8. “Summons” and “subpoena” may be used interchangeably\nand shall include a subpoena duces tecum for the production of documents and\ntangible things;\n\n9. “Court of equity,”\"law and equity court,”\"law and chancery\ncourt,”\"chancery court,” “corporation court,” “the\nchancery side,” “court exercising powers in chancery,”\n“court with equitable jurisdiction,” and “receivership\ncourt” shall mean the circuit court when entertaining equitable claims;\n\n10. A “motion for judgment,” “bill,” “bill of\ncomplaint,” or “bill in equity” shall mean a complaint in a\ncivil action, as provided in the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia;\n\n11. “Equity practice,” “equity procedure,”\n“chancery practice,” and “chancery procedure” shall mean\npractice and procedure in a civil action as prescribed by this Code and the\nRules of Supreme Court of Virginia.\n\nHISTORY: 1977, c. 617; 1988, c. 37; 1997, c. 921; 2005, cc. 681, 716; 2022, c.\n299.","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}}