Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org738968.01-277.1Objections to personal jurisdiction or defective process; what constitutes waiver2025Civil Remedies and ProcedureCivil Actions; Commencement, Pleadings, and MotionsPleadings Generally

A. Except as provided in § 8.01-277, a person waives any objection to personal jurisdiction or defective process if he engages in conduct related to adjudicating the merits of the case, including, but not limited to:

1. Filing a demurrer, plea in bar, answer, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim;

2. Conducting discovery, except as provided in subsection B;

3. Seeking a ruling on the merits of the case; or

4. Actively participating in proceedings related to determining the merits of the case.

B. A person does not waive any objection to personal jurisdiction or defective process if he engages in conduct unrelated to adjudicating the merits of the case, including, but not limited to:

1. Requesting or agreeing to an extension of time;

2. Agreeing to a scheduling order;

3. Conducting discovery authorized by the court related to adjudicating the objection;

4. Observing or attending proceedings in the case;

5. Filing a motion to transfer venue pursuant to § 8.01-264 when such motion is filed contemporaneously with the objection; or

6. Removing the case to federal court.

2011, c. 710.