                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE IN TRIAL OF APPEALS; DEFECTIVE OR IRREGULAR WARRANTS OR
MOTIONS (§ 16.1-114.1)

Actions or proceedings appealed from district courts shall be tried according to
the principles of law and equity, and when the same conflict the principles of
equity shall prevail. No warrant, motion or other pleading shall be dismissed by
reason of a mere defect, irregularity or omission in the proceedings in the
district court, or in the form of any such pleading, when the same may be
corrected by a proper order of the court of record. In any such case the court
of record shall retain the same, with full power to direct all necessary
amendments, to enter orders and direct proceedings to correct such defects,
irregularities and omissions, to promote substantial justice to all parties, and
to bring about a trial of the merits of the controversy. In any case where an
appeal is taken by a defendant the circuit court may direct amendments to
increase the amount of the claim above the jurisdictional amount set forth in §
16.1-77. This section shall be liberally construed, to the end that justice is
not delayed or denied by reason of errors in the pleadings or in the form of the
proceedings.

HISTORY: 1986, c. 45; 1997, c. 753; 2007, c. 869.