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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>86324</law_id><section_number>8.1A-303</section_number><catch_line>Course of performance, course of dealing, and usage of trade</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>59.1-352.2</reference><reference>59.1-353</reference><reference>8.2-202</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="8.1A">Uniform Commercial Code &#x2014; General Provisions</unit><unit label="part" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="3">Territorial Applicability and General Rules</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="a"><p><span class="prefix-number">a.</span> A &#x201C;course of performance&#x201D; is a sequence of conduct between the parties to a particular transaction that exists if: <a id="paragraph-309147" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#a"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> the agreement of the parties with respect to the transaction involves repeated occasions for performance by a <span class="dictionary">party</span>; and <a id="paragraph-309148" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#a1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="a2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> the other <span class="dictionary">party</span>, with knowledge of the nature of the performance and opportunity for objection to it, accepts the performance or acquiesces in it without objection. <a id="paragraph-309149" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#a2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="b"><p><span class="prefix-number">b.</span> A &#x201C;course of dealing&#x201D; is a sequence of conduct concerning previous transactions between the parties to a particular transaction that is fairly to be regarded as establishing a common basis of understanding for interpreting their expressions and other conduct. <a id="paragraph-309150" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#b"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="c"><p><span class="prefix-number">c.</span> A &#x201C;usage of trade&#x201D; is any practice or method of dealing having such regularity of observance in a place, vocation, or trade as to justify an expectation that it will be observed with respect to the transaction in question. The existence and scope of such a usage must be proved as <span class="dictionary">facts</span>. If it is established that such a usage is embodied in a trade code or similar record, the interpretation of the record is a question of <span class="dictionary">law</span>. <a id="paragraph-309151" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#c"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="d"><p><span class="prefix-number">d.</span> A course of performance or course of dealing between the parties or usage of trade in the vocation or trade in which they are engaged or of which they are or should be aware is relevant in ascertaining the meaning of the parties&#x2019; agreement, may give particular meaning to specific terms of the agreement, and may supplement or qualify the terms of the agreement. A usage of trade applicable in the place in which part of the performance under the agreement is to occur may be so utilized as to that part of the performance. <a id="paragraph-309152" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#d"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="e"><p><span class="prefix-number">e.</span> Except as otherwise provided in subsection (f), the express terms of an agreement and any applicable course of performance, course of dealing, or usage of trade must be construed whenever reasonable as consistent with each other. If such a construction is unreasonable: <a id="paragraph-309153" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#e"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="e1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> express terms prevail over course of performance, course of dealing, and usage of trade; <a id="paragraph-309154" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#e1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="e2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> course of performance prevails over course of dealing and usage of trade; and <a id="paragraph-309155" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#e2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="e3" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> course of dealing prevails over usage of trade. <a id="paragraph-309156" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#e3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="f"><p><span class="prefix-number">f.</span> Subject to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Modification, rescission, and waiver" href="/8.2-209/">8.2-209</a>, a course of performance is relevant to show a <span class="dictionary">waiver</span> or modification of any term inconsistent with the course of performance. <a id="paragraph-309157" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#f"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="g"><p><span class="prefix-number">g.</span> <span class="dictionary">Evidence</span> of a relevant usage of trade offered by one <span class="dictionary">party</span> is not <span class="dictionary">admissible</span> unless that <span class="dictionary">party</span> has given the other <span class="dictionary">party</span> notice that the <span class="dictionary">court</span> finds sufficient to prevent unfair surprise to the other <span class="dictionary">party</span>. <a id="paragraph-309158" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/8.1A-303/#g"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1964, c. 219, &#xA7;&#xA7; 8.1-205, 8.2-208; 1991, c. 536, &#xA7; 8.2A-207; 2003, c. 353.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
