{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-246.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-246.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-246.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-246.html"}],"law_id":71139,"edition_id":1,"section_id":71139,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-246","catch_line":"Personal actions based on contracts","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 8-13, 8-17, 8-23; 1964, c. 219; 1966, c. 118; 1977, c. 617; 2019, c. 241; 2024, c. 800.","full_text":"A\n\nSubject to the provisions of \u00a7 8.01-243 regarding injuries to person and property and of \u00a7 8.01-245 regarding the application of limitations to fiduciaries, and their bonds, actions founded upon a contract, other than actions on a judgment or decree, shall be brought within the following number of years next after the cause of action shall have accrued:1\n\nIn actions or upon a recognizance, except recognizance of bail in a civil suit, within 10 years; and in actions or motions upon a recognizance of bail in a civil suit, within three years, omitting from the computation of such three years such time as the right to sue out such execution shall have been suspended by injunction, supersedeas or other process;2\n\nIn actions on any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within five years whether such writing be under seal or not;3\n\nIn actions by a partner against another for settlement of the partnership account or in actions upon accounts concerning the trade of merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, or servants, within five years from the cessation of the dealings in which they are interested together;4\n\nIn actions upon (i) any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and not signed by the party to be charged, or by his agent, or (ii) any unwritten contract, express or implied, within three years.B\n\nIn any action, including those brought by the Commonwealth, upon any contract under subdivision A 2 or 4 to collect medical debt, such an action is barred if not commenced within three years from the due date applicable to the final invoice for a health care service unless the contract with a hospital or health care provider is for a payment plan that allows for a longer period of time for the collection of debt by the hospital or health care provider. In the event of breach of a payment plan, an action is barred if not commenced within three years from the date of breach by the debtor. For the purposes of this subsection, “medical debt” means a debt arising directly from the receipt of a health care service and originally owed directly to a health care service provider. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to medical debt arising from services paid for under programs administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services.C\n\nIn the case of any action to which § 8.2-725 of the Uniform Commercial Code is applicable, that section shall be controlling except that in products liability actions for injury to person and for injury to property, other than the property subject to contract, the limitation prescribed in § 8.01-243 shall apply.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":256477,"text":"Subject to the provisions of \u00a7 8.01-243 regarding injuries to person and property and of \u00a7 8.01-245 regarding the application of limitations to fiduciaries, and their bonds, actions founded upon a contract, other than actions on a judgment or decree, shall be brought within the following number of years next after the cause of action shall have accrued:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":256478,"text":"In actions or upon a recognizance, except recognizance of bail in a civil suit, within 10 years; and in actions or motions upon a recognizance of bail in a civil suit, within three years, omitting from the computation of such three years such time as the right to sue out such execution shall have been suspended by injunction, supersedeas or other process;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":256479,"text":"In actions on any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within five years whether such writing be under seal or not;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":256480,"text":"In actions by a partner against another for settlement of the partnership account or in actions upon accounts concerning the trade of merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, or servants, within five years from the cessation of the dealings in which they are interested together;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":256481,"text":"In actions upon (i) any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and not signed by the party to be charged, or by his agent, or (ii) any unwritten contract, express or implied, within three years.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":256482,"text":"In any action, including those brought by the Commonwealth, upon any contract under subdivision A 2 or 4 to collect medical debt, such an action is barred if not commenced within three years from the due date applicable to the final invoice for a health care service unless the contract with a hospital or health care provider is for a payment plan that allows for a longer period of time for the collection of debt by the hospital or health care provider. In the event of breach of a payment plan, an action is barred if not commenced within three years from the date of breach by the debtor. For the purposes of this subsection, “medical debt” means a debt arising directly from the receipt of a health care service and originally owed directly to a health care service provider. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to medical debt arising from services paid for under programs administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"C"},"6":{"id":256483,"text":"In the case of any action to which § 8.2-725 of the Uniform Commercial Code is applicable, that section shall be controlling except that in products liability actions for injury to person and for injury to property, other than the property subject to contract, the limitation prescribed in § 8.01-243 shall apply.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14110,"edition_id":1,"name":"Personal Actions Generally","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14109,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:54","permalink":{"id":281197,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14110,"identifier":"3","token":"8.01\/4\/3","url":"\/8.01\/4\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14109,"edition_id":1,"name":"Limitations of Actions","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:54","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:54","permalink":{"id":281127,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14109,"identifier":"4","token":"8.01\/4","url":"\/8.01\/4\/","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":61676,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-243","catch_line":"Personal action for injury to person or property generally; extension in actions for malpractice against health care provider","url":"\/8.01-243\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-243","metadata":false},{"id":77377,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-243.1","catch_line":"Actions for medical malpractice; minors","url":"\/8.01-243.1\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-243.1","metadata":false},{"id":68361,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-243.2","catch_line":"Limitations of actions by confined persons; exhaustion","url":"\/8.01-243.2\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-243.2","metadata":false},{"id":55241,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-244","catch_line":"Actions for wrongful death; limitation","url":"\/8.01-244\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-244","metadata":false},{"id":73370,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-245","catch_line":"Limitation on actions upon the bond of any fiduciaries or as to suits against fiduciaries themselves; accrual of cause of action where execution sustained","url":"\/8.01-245\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-245","metadata":false},{"id":71139,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-246","catch_line":"Personal actions based on contracts","url":"\/8.01-246\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-246","metadata":false},{"id":74502,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-247","catch_line":"When action on contract governed by the law of another state or country barred in Virginia","url":"\/8.01-247\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-247","metadata":false},{"id":55381,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-247.1","catch_line":"Limitation on action for defamation, etc","url":"\/8.01-247.1\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-247.1","metadata":false},{"id":59557,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-248","catch_line":"Personal actions for which no other limitation is specified","url":"\/8.01-248\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-248","metadata":false},{"id":87200,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-249","catch_line":"When cause of action shall be deemed to accrue in certain personal actions","url":"\/8.01-249\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-249","metadata":false},{"id":86776,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-250","catch_line":"Limitation on certain actions for damages arising out of defective or unsafe condition of improvements to real property","url":"\/8.01-250\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-250","metadata":false},{"id":82721,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-250.1","catch_line":"Limitation on actions involving removal of asbestos","url":"\/8.01-250.1\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-250.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73370,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-245","catch_line":"Limitation on actions upon the bond of any fiduciaries or as to suits against fiduciaries themselves; accrual of cause of action where execution sustained","url":"\/8.01-245\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-245","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74502,"structure_id":14110,"section_number":"8.01-247","catch_line":"When action on contract governed by the law of another state or country barred in Virginia","url":"\/8.01-247\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-247","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-246\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 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 1964, chapter 219; in 1966, chapter 118; in 1977, chapter 617; in 2019, chapter 241<\/a>; in 2024, chapter 800<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86776,"section_number":"8.01-250","catch_line":"Limitation on certain actions for damages arising out of defective or unsafe condition of improvements to real property","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-250\/"},{"id":84675,"section_number":"8.3A-118","catch_line":"Statute of limitations","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.3A-118\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":61676,"section_number":"8.01-243","catch_line":"Personal action for injury to person or property generally; extension in actions for malpractice against health care provider","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-243\/"},{"id":73370,"section_number":"8.01-245","catch_line":"Limitation on actions upon the bond of any fiduciaries or as to suits against fiduciaries themselves; accrual of cause of action where execution sustained","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-245\/"},{"id":73642,"section_number":"8.2-725","catch_line":"Statute of limitations in contracts for sale","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.2-725\/"}],"permalink":{"id":281219,"object_type":"law","relational_id":71139,"identifier":"8.01-246","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-246","url":"\/8.01-246\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-246\/","token":"8.01\/4\/3\/8.01-246","dublin_core":{"Title":"Personal actions based on contracts","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-246","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Subject to the provisions of \u00a7 8.01-243<\/a> regarding injuries to person<\/span> and property and of \u00a7 8.01-245<\/a> regarding the application of limitations to fiduciaries, and their bonds<\/span>, actions<\/span> founded upon a contract<\/span>, other than actions<\/span> on a judgment<\/span> or decree<\/span>, shall be brought within the following number of years next after the cause of action<\/span> shall have accrued: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> In actions<\/span> or upon a recognizance<\/span>, except recognizance<\/span> of bail<\/span> in a civil suit<\/span>, within 10 years; and in actions<\/span> or motions<\/span> upon a recognizance<\/span> of bail<\/span> in a civil suit<\/span>, within three years, omitting from the computation of such three years such time as the right to sue out such execution shall have been suspended by injunction<\/span>, supersedeas or other process; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In actions<\/span> on any contract<\/span> that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and signed by the party<\/span> to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within five years whether such writing be under seal or not; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> In actions<\/span> by a partner against another for settlement<\/span> of the partnership account or in actions<\/span> upon accounts concerning the trade of merchandise between merchant and merchant, their factors, or servants, within five years from the cessation of the dealings in which they are interested together; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> In actions<\/span> upon (i) any contract<\/span> that is not otherwise specified and that is in writing and not signed by the party<\/span> to be charged, or by his agent, or (ii) any unwritten contract<\/span>, express or implied, within three years. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> In any action, including those brought by the Commonwealth, upon any contract<\/span> under subdivision A 2 or 4 to collect medical debt<\/span>, such an action is barred if not commenced within three years from the due date applicable to the final invoice for a health care service unless the contract<\/span> with a hospital or health care provider is for a payment plan that allows for a longer period of time for the collection of debt by the hospital or health care provider. In the event of breach of a payment plan, an action is barred if not commenced within three years from the date of breach by the debtor. For the purposes of this subsection, “medical debt<\/span>” means a debt arising directly from the receipt of a health care service and originally owed directly to a health care service provider. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to medical debt<\/span> arising from services paid for under programs administered by the Department of Medical Assistance Services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> In the case of any action to which § 8.2-725<\/a> of the Uniform Commercial Code is applicable, that section shall be controlling except that in products liability actions<\/span> for injury to person<\/span> and for injury to property, other than the property subject to contract<\/span>, the limitation prescribed in § 8.01-243<\/a> shall apply. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPERSONAL ACTIONS BASED ON CONTRACTS (\u00a7 8.01-246)\n\nA. Subject to the provisions of \u00a7 8.01-243 regarding injuries to person and\nproperty and of \u00a7 8.01-245 regarding the application of limitations to\nfiduciaries, and their bonds, actions founded upon a contract, other than\nactions on a judgment or decree, shall be brought within the following number of\nyears next after the cause of action shall have accrued:\n\n 1. In actions or upon a recognizance, except recognizance of bail in a civil\n suit, within 10 years; and in actions or motions upon a recognizance of bail\n in a civil suit, within three years, omitting from the computation of such\n three years such time as the right to sue out such execution shall have been\n suspended by injunction, supersedeas or other process;\n\n 2. In actions on any contract that is not otherwise specified and that is in\n writing and signed by the party to be charged thereby, or by his agent, within\n five years whether such writing be under seal or not;\n\n 3. In actions by a partner against another for settlement of the partnership\n account or in actions upon accounts concerning the trade of merchandise\n between merchant and merchant, their factors, or servants, within five years\n from the cessation of the dealings in which they are interested together;\n\n 4. In actions upon (i) any contract that is not otherwise specified and that\n is in writing and not signed by the party to be charged, or by his agent, or\n (ii) any unwritten contract, express or implied, within three years.\n\nB. In any action, including those brought by the Commonwealth, upon any contract\nunder subdivision A 2 or 4 to collect medical debt, such an action is barred if\nnot commenced within three years from the due date applicable to the final\ninvoice for a health care service unless the contract with a hospital or health\ncare provider is for a payment plan that allows for a longer period of time for\nthe collection of debt by the hospital or health care provider. In the event of\nbreach of a payment plan, an action is barred if not commenced within three\nyears from the date of breach by the debtor. For the purposes of this\nsubsection, “medical debt” means a debt arising directly from the\nreceipt of a health care service and originally owed directly to a health care\nservice provider. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to medical\ndebt arising from services paid for under programs administered by the\nDepartment of Medical Assistance Services.\n\nC. In the case of any action to which § 8.2-725 of the Uniform Commercial\nCode is applicable, that section shall be controlling except that in products\nliability actions for injury to person and for injury to property, other than\nthe property subject to contract, the limitation prescribed in § 8.01-243\nshall apply.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 8-13, 8-17, 8-23; 1964, c. 219; 1966, c. 118; 1977, c.\n617; 2019, c. 241; 2024, c. 800.","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}}