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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>79216</law_id><section_number>55.1-1016</section_number><catch_line>Confidentiality of information obtained by the Commission</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>55.1-1004</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="55.1">Property and Conveyances</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Real Estate Settlements and Recordation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="10">Real Estate Settlement Agents</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Any documents, <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, or other information in the control or <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> that are furnished by a title insurance company or title insurance agent or an employee thereof acting on behalf of the title insurance company or title insurance agent, or obtained by the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> in an investigation pursuant to this chapter, shall be confidential by <span class="dictionary">law</span> and privileged, shall not be subject to inspection or review by the general public, shall not be subject to <span class="dictionary">subpoena</span>, and shall not be subject to <span class="dictionary">discovery</span> or <span class="dictionary">admissible</span> in <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> in any private <span class="dictionary">civil action</span>. The <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> is authorized to use the documents, <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, or other information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as a part of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>&#x2019;s duties. <a id="paragraph-283651" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1016/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Neither the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> nor any person who received documents, <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, or other information while acting under the authority of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> shall be permitted or required to testify in any private <span class="dictionary">civil action</span> concerning any confidential documents, <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, or information subject to subsection A. <a id="paragraph-283652" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1016/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> In <span class="dictionary">order</span> to assist in the performance of the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>&#x2019;s duties under this chapter, the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span>: <a id="paragraph-283653" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1016/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> May share documents, <span class="dictionary">material</span>, or other information, including the confidential and privileged documents, <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, or information subject to subsection A, with other state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, with the <span class="dictionary">Association</span> and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and with local, state, federal, and international <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement authorities, provided that the recipient agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the document, <span class="dictionary">material</span>, or other information; and <a id="paragraph-283654" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1016/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> May receive documents, <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, or information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, or information, from the <span class="dictionary">Association</span> or its affiliates or subsidiaries and from regulatory and <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic <span class="dictionary">jurisdictions</span> and shall maintain as confidential or privileged any document, <span class="dictionary">material</span>, or information received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the <span class="dictionary">laws</span> of the <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> that is the source of the document, <span class="dictionary">material</span>, or information. <a id="paragraph-283655" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1016/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> No <span class="dictionary">waiver</span> of any applicable <span class="dictionary">privilege</span> or claim of confidentiality in the documents, <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, or information shall occur as a result of disclosure to the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> under this section or as a result of sharing as authorized in subsection C. <a id="paragraph-283656" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1016/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> from releasing final, adjudicated actions, including for-cause terminations that are open to public inspection pursuant to Chapter 4 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Subordinates and employees to be appointed to serve at pleasure of Commission" href="/12.1-18/">12.1-18</a> et seq.) of Title 12.1, to a database or other clearinghouse service maintained by the <span class="dictionary">Association</span> or its affiliates or subsidiaries. <a id="paragraph-283657" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/55.1-1016/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2006, c. 312, &#xA7; 6.1-2.27:1; 2008, c. 303; 2010, c. 794, &#xA7; 55-525.32; 2019, c. 712.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
