<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54886</law_id><section_number>16.1-79.1</section_number><catch_line>Electronic filing of civil cases</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="16.1">Courts Not of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="6">Venue, Jurisdiction and Procedure in Civil Matters</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="3">Procedure in Civil Cases</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The general district <span class="dictionary">courts</span> shall accept case data in an electronic format for any <span class="dictionary">civil action</span> filed. The use of the electronic transfer shall be at the option of the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> or the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span>&#x2019;s attorney, and if electronic transfer is utilized, the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> or the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span>&#x2019;s attorney shall comply with the security and data configuration standards established by the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme <span class="dictionary">Court</span>. If electronic transfer is utilized, the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> or the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span>&#x2019;s attorney shall be responsible for filing with the clerk of the general district <span class="dictionary">court</span> the paper copies of any pleading for the proper processing of such <span class="dictionary">civil actions</span> as otherwise required by <span class="dictionary">law</span>, unless the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> or the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span>&#x2019;s attorney has established at his expense a system for the filing of a pleading generated through the electronic transfer of data; such system has been authorized by, and meets the filing requirements of, the clerk; and the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> or <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span>&#x2019;s attorney transmits the process in an electronic format directly with the sheriff as otherwise provided by <span class="dictionary">law</span>. Notwithstanding any electronic transfer, the <span class="dictionary">plaintiff</span> shall remain responsible for payment of any required fees upon case initiation or filing and as otherwise required by <span class="dictionary">law</span>.</p></section></text><history>2010, cc. 550, 622; 2011, c. 766.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
