<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>78487</law_id><section_number>56-516</section_number><catch_line>When possession of utility to be delivered; procedure upon refusal of possession</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>56-522</reference><reference>56-525</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="56">Public Service Companies</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="17">State Operation of Public Utilities</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Unless the management of the utility believes that the Governor is mistaken in his conclusion as to the curtailment, interruption or suspension of operation, actual <span class="dictionary">possession</span> of the utility, its properties and facilities, shall be delivered at the time stated in the executive proclamation. In the event of refusal of <span class="dictionary">possession</span>, upon application of the Governor any <span class="dictionary">court</span> of record of any county or city in which the utility&#x2019;s main executive offices in this Commonwealth are located, or the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> thereof in vacation, shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> a rule requiring the authorized representatives of such utility to show cause why <span class="dictionary">possession</span> should not be delivered at the time stated in the executive proclamation. The rule shall be given preference over all other matters pending before such <span class="dictionary">court</span>. After reasonable notice, the <span class="dictionary">court</span> or <span class="dictionary">judge</span> shall hear the parties and determine as promptly as possible the question of <span class="dictionary">fact</span> relating to the curtailment, interruption or suspension of the operation of the utility and whether the <span class="dictionary">facts</span> require the delivery of <span class="dictionary">possession</span> and render <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> requiring or denying delivery of <span class="dictionary">possession</span> as the case may be.</p></section></text><history>1952, c. 696.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
