<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>74957</law_id><section_number>8.01-235</section_number><catch_line>Bar of expiration of limitation period raised only as affirmative defense in responsive pleading</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>8.01-195.7</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.01">Civil Remedies and Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="4">Limitations of Actions</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">In General</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The objection that an <span class="dictionary">action</span> is not commenced within the limitation period prescribed by <span class="dictionary">law</span> can only be raised as an <span class="dictionary">affirmative defense</span> specifically set forth in a responsive pleading. No statutory limitation period shall have jurisdictional effects and the defense that the statutory limitation period has expired cannot be set up by <span class="dictionary">demurrer</span>. This section shall apply to all limitation periods, without regard to whether or not the <span class="dictionary">statute</span> prescribing such limitation period shall create a new right.</p></section></text><history>1977, c. 617.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
