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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>55244</law_id><section_number>15.2-2137</section_number><catch_line>Special court; hearing and decision</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="15.2">Counties, Cities and Towns</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Powers of Local Government</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="21">Franchises; Sale and Lease of Certain Municipal Public Property; Public Utilities</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="5">Water Supply Systems Generally</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> The special <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall hear the case upon the <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> introduced as <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> is introduced in civil cases. <a id="paragraph-202553" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2137/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The special <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall determine the necessity for and expediency of the acquisition of land or other proposed action and the best interests of the parties. <a id="paragraph-202554" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2137/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> If a majority of the special <span class="dictionary">court</span> is of the <span class="dictionary">opinion</span> that the proposed action is not necessary or expedient, the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> shall be dismissed. If a majority of the <span class="dictionary">court</span> is satisfied of the necessity for and expediency of the proposed action, it shall determine the terms and conditions of the action and shall enter an <span class="dictionary">order</span> granting the <span class="dictionary">petition</span>. In all contested cases, the special <span class="dictionary">court</span> shall render a written <span class="dictionary">opinion</span>. The <span class="dictionary">order</span> granting the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> shall set forth in detail all such terms and conditions upon which the <span class="dictionary">petition</span> is granted. <a id="paragraph-202555" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/15.2-2137/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1976, c. 69, &#xA7; 15.1-37.1:3; 1979, c. 671; 1997, c. 587.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
