{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/8.01-576.4.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/8.01-576.4.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/8.01-576.4.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/8.01-576.4.html"}],"law_id":83325,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83325,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.4","catch_line":"Scope and definitions","history":"1993, c. 905; 2002, c. 718.","full_text":"The provisions of this chapter apply only to court-referred dispute resolution services.\n\t\tAs used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Conciliation” means a process in which a neutral facilitates settlement by clarifying issues and serving as an intermediary for negotiations in a manner which is generally more informal and less structured than mediation.\n\t\t“Court” means any juvenile and domestic relations district court, general district court, circuit court, or appellate court, and includes the judges and any intake specialist to whom the judge has delegated specific authority under this chapter.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution proceeding” means any structured process in which a neutral assists disputants in reaching a voluntary settlement by means of dispute resolution techniques such as mediation, conciliation, early neutral evaluation, nonjudicial settlement conferences or any other proceeding leading to a voluntary settlement conducted consistent with the requirements of this chapter. The term includes the orientation session.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution program” means a program that offers dispute resolution services to the public, which is run by the Commonwealth or any private for-profit or not-for-profit organization, political subdivision, or public corporation, or a combination of these.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution services” includes screening and intake of disputants, conducting dispute resolution proceedings, drafting agreements and providing information or referral services.\n\t\t“Intake specialist” means an individual who is trained in analyzing and screening cases to assist in determining whether a case is appropriate for referral to a dispute resolution proceeding.\n\t\t“Mediation” means a process in which a neutral facilitates communication between the parties and, without deciding the issues or imposing a solution on the parties, enables them to understand and to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to their dispute.\n\t\t“Neutral” means an individual who is trained or experienced in conducting dispute resolution proceedings and in providing dispute resolution services.\n\t\t“Orientation session” means a preliminary meeting during which the dispute resolution proceeding is explained to the parties and the parties and the neutral assess the case and decide whether to continue with a dispute resolution proceeding or adjudication.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":298560,"text":"The provisions of this chapter apply only to court-referred dispute resolution services.\n\t\tAs used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Conciliation” means a process in which a neutral facilitates settlement by clarifying issues and serving as an intermediary for negotiations in a manner which is generally more informal and less structured than mediation.\n\t\t“Court” means any juvenile and domestic relations district court, general district court, circuit court, or appellate court, and includes the judges and any intake specialist to whom the judge has delegated specific authority under this chapter.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution proceeding” means any structured process in which a neutral assists disputants in reaching a voluntary settlement by means of dispute resolution techniques such as mediation, conciliation, early neutral evaluation, nonjudicial settlement conferences or any other proceeding leading to a voluntary settlement conducted consistent with the requirements of this chapter. The term includes the orientation session.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution program” means a program that offers dispute resolution services to the public, which is run by the Commonwealth or any private for-profit or not-for-profit organization, political subdivision, or public corporation, or a combination of these.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution services” includes screening and intake of disputants, conducting dispute resolution proceedings, drafting agreements and providing information or referral services.\n\t\t“Intake specialist” means an individual who is trained in analyzing and screening cases to assist in determining whether a case is appropriate for referral to a dispute resolution proceeding.\n\t\t“Mediation” means a process in which a neutral facilitates communication between the parties and, without deciding the issues or imposing a solution on the parties, enables them to understand and to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to their dispute.\n\t\t“Neutral” means an individual who is trained or experienced in conducting dispute resolution proceedings and in providing dispute resolution services.\n\t\t“Orientation session” means a preliminary meeting during which the dispute resolution proceeding is explained to the parties and the parties and the neutral assess the case and decide whether to continue with a dispute resolution proceeding or adjudication.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14078,"edition_id":1,"name":"Court-Referred Dispute Resolution Proceedings","identifier":"20.2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12747,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:48","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:48","permalink":{"id":278775,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14078,"identifier":"20.2","token":"8.01\/20.2","url":"\/8.01\/20.2\/","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":67016,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.10","catch_line":"Confidentiality of dispute resolution proceeding","url":"\/8.01-576.10\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.10","metadata":false},{"id":73838,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.11","catch_line":"Effect of written settlement agreement","url":"\/8.01-576.11\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.11","metadata":false},{"id":64310,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.12","catch_line":"Vacating orders and agreements","url":"\/8.01-576.12\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.12","metadata":false},{"id":83325,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.4","catch_line":"Scope and definitions","url":"\/8.01-576.4\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.4","metadata":false},{"id":55196,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.5","catch_line":"Referral of disputes to dispute resolution proceedings","url":"\/8.01-576.5\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.5","metadata":false},{"id":72333,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.6","catch_line":"Notice and opportunity to object","url":"\/8.01-576.6\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.6","metadata":false},{"id":76547,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.7","catch_line":"Costs","url":"\/8.01-576.7\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.7","metadata":false},{"id":72690,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.8","catch_line":"Qualifications of neutrals; referral","url":"\/8.01-576.8\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.8","metadata":false},{"id":67733,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.9","catch_line":"Standards and duties of neutrals; confidentiality; liability","url":"\/8.01-576.9\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":64310,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.12","catch_line":"Vacating orders and agreements","url":"\/8.01-576.12\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.12","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55196,"structure_id":14078,"section_number":"8.01-576.5","catch_line":"Referral of disputes to dispute resolution proceedings","url":"\/8.01-576.5\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.5","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-576.4\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1993. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 905 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 1993 \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 2002, chapter 718<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":86115,"section_number":"10.1-1186.3","catch_line":"Additional powers of Boards and the Department; mediation; alternative dispute resolution","order_by":null,"url":"\/10.1-1186.3\/"},{"id":76609,"section_number":"20-124.4","catch_line":"Mediation","order_by":null,"url":"\/20-124.4\/"},{"id":61167,"section_number":"4.1-103.03","catch_line":"Additional powers; mediation; alternative dispute resolution; confidentiality","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-103.03\/"},{"id":61308,"section_number":"4.1-605","catch_line":"Additional powers; mediation; alternative dispute resolution; confidentiality","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-605\/"},{"id":70850,"section_number":"58.1-3965","catch_line":"When land may be sold for delinquent taxes; notice of sale; owner's right of redemption","order_by":null,"url":"\/58.1-3965\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":278789,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83325,"identifier":"8.01-576.4","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.4","url":"\/8.01-576.4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-576.4\/","token":"8.01\/20.2\/8.01-576.4","dublin_core":{"Title":"Scope and definitions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-576.4","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The provisions of this chapter apply only to court<\/span>-referred dispute resolution services<\/span>.\n\t\tAs used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Conciliation<\/span>” means a process in which a neutral<\/span> facilitates settlement<\/span> by clarifying issues<\/span> and serving as an intermediary for negotiations in a manner which is generally more informal and less structured than mediation<\/span>.\n\t\t“Court<\/span>” means any juvenile and domestic relations district court<\/span>, general district court<\/span>, circuit<\/span> court<\/span>, or appellate<\/span> court<\/span>, and includes the judges<\/span> and any intake specialist<\/span> to whom the judge<\/span> has delegated specific authority under this chapter.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution proceeding<\/span>” means any structured process in which a neutral<\/span> assists disputants in reaching a voluntary settlement<\/span> by means of dispute resolution techniques such as mediation<\/span>, conciliation<\/span>, early neutral<\/span> evaluation, nonjudicial settlement<\/span> conferences or any other proceeding leading to a voluntary settlement<\/span> conducted consistent with the requirements of this chapter. The term includes the orientation session<\/span>.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution program<\/span>” means a program that offers dispute resolution services<\/span> to the public, which is run by the Commonwealth or any private for-profit or not-for-profit organization, political subdivision, or public corporation, or a combination of these.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution services<\/span>” includes screening and intake of disputants, conducting dispute resolution proceedings<\/span>, drafting agreements and providing information or referral services.\n\t\t“Intake specialist<\/span>” means an individual who is trained in analyzing and screening cases to assist in determining whether a case is appropriate for referral to a dispute resolution proceeding<\/span>.\n\t\t“Mediation<\/span>” means a process in which a neutral<\/span> facilitates communication between the parties and, without deciding the issues<\/span> or imposing a solution on the parties, enables them to understand and to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to their dispute.\n\t\t“Neutral<\/span>” means an individual who is trained or experienced in conducting dispute resolution proceedings<\/span> and in providing dispute resolution services<\/span>.\n\t\t“Orientation session<\/span>” means a preliminary meeting during which the dispute resolution proceeding<\/span> is explained to the parties and the parties and the neutral<\/span> assess the case and decide whether to continue with a dispute resolution proceeding<\/span> or adjudication.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSCOPE AND DEFINITIONS (\u00a7 8.01-576.4)\n\nThe provisions of this chapter apply only to court-referred dispute resolution\nservices.\n\t\tAs used in this chapter:\n\t\t“Conciliation” means a process in which a neutral facilitates\nsettlement by clarifying issues and serving as an intermediary for negotiations\nin a manner which is generally more informal and less structured than mediation.\n\t\t“Court” means any juvenile and domestic relations district court,\ngeneral district court, circuit court, or appellate court, and includes the\njudges and any intake specialist to whom the judge has delegated specific\nauthority under this chapter.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution proceeding” means any structured process in\nwhich a neutral assists disputants in reaching a voluntary settlement by means\nof dispute resolution techniques such as mediation, conciliation, early neutral\nevaluation, nonjudicial settlement conferences or any other proceeding leading\nto a voluntary settlement conducted consistent with the requirements of this\nchapter. The term includes the orientation session.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution program” means a program that offers dispute\nresolution services to the public, which is run by the Commonwealth or any\nprivate for-profit or not-for-profit organization, political subdivision, or\npublic corporation, or a combination of these.\n\t\t“Dispute resolution services” includes screening and intake of\ndisputants, conducting dispute resolution proceedings, drafting agreements and\nproviding information or referral services.\n\t\t“Intake specialist” means an individual who is trained in\nanalyzing and screening cases to assist in determining whether a case is\nappropriate for referral to a dispute resolution proceeding.\n\t\t“Mediation” means a process in which a neutral facilitates\ncommunication between the parties and, without deciding the issues or imposing a\nsolution on the parties, enables them to understand and to reach a mutually\nagreeable resolution to their dispute.\n\t\t“Neutral” means an individual who is trained or experienced in\nconducting dispute resolution proceedings and in providing dispute resolution\nservices.\n\t\t“Orientation session” means a preliminary meeting during which the\ndispute resolution proceeding is explained to the parties and the parties and\nthe neutral assess the case and decide whether to continue with a dispute\nresolution proceeding or adjudication.\n\nHISTORY: 1993, c. 905; 2002, c. 718.","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}}