                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

CIVIL ACTION; ENFORCEMENT BY PRIVATE PARTIES (§ 36-96.18)

A. An aggrieved person may commence a civil action in an appropriate United
States district court or state court not later than two years after the
occurrence or the termination of an alleged discriminatory housing practice, or
the breach of a conciliation agreement entered into under this chapter,
whichever occurs last, to obtain appropriate relief with respect to such
discriminatory housing practice or breach.

B. An aggrieved person may commence a civil action under &#xA7; 36-96.18 A no
later than 180 days after the conclusion of the administrative process with
respect to a complaint or charge, or not later than two years after the
occurrence or the termination of an alleged discriminatory housing practice,
whichever is later. This subsection shall not apply to actions arising from a
breach of a conciliation agreement. An aggrieved person may commence a civil
action under this section whether or not a complaint has been filed under &#xA7;
36-96.9 and without regard to the status of any such complaint. If the Board or
a federal agency has obtained a conciliation agreement with the consent of an
aggrieved person, no action may be filed under this section by such aggrieved
person with respect to the alleged discriminatory housing practice which forms
the basis for such complaint except for the purpose of enforcing the terms of
such an agreement.

C. In a civil action under subsection A, if the court or jury finds that a
discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court or
jury may award to the plaintiff, as the prevailing party, compensatory and
punitive damages, without limitation otherwise imposed by state law, and the
court may award reasonable attorney&#8217;s fees and costs, and subject to
subsection D, may grant as relief, any permanent or temporary injunction,
temporary restraining order, or other order, including an order enjoining the
defendant from engaging in such practice or order such affirmative action as may
be appropriate.

D. Relief granted under subsection C shall not affect any contract, sale,
encumbrance, or lease consummated before the granting of such relief and
involving bona fide purchasers, encumbrancer or tenant, without actual notice of
the filing of a complaint with the Board or civil action under this chapter.

E. Upon timely application, the Attorney General may intervene in such civil
action, if the Attorney General certifies that the case is of general public
importance. Upon intervention, the Attorney General may obtain such relief as
would be available to the private party under subsection C.

HISTORY: 1972, c. 591, § 36-94; 1973, c. 372; 1975, c. 566; 1984, c. 271; 1987,
c. 167; 1991, c. 557; 1994, c. 814.