Pleadings Generally

This is the 2026 edition of the code. This is the current edition. It was last updated Aug 02, 2026. Browse all editions.

This is Article 2 of the Code of Virginia, titled “Pleadings Generally.” It is part of Chapter 7 “Civil Actions; Commencement, Pleadings, and Motions”, which is part of Title 8.01 “Civil Remedies and Procedure”. It contains 17 laws.

It’s comprised of the following 17 sections.

§ 8.01-271	Compliance with Rules of Supreme Court
§ 8.01-271.01	Electronic filings in civil actions in circuit court
§ 8.01-271.1	Signing of pleadings, motions, and other papers; oral motions; sanctions
§ 8.01-272	Pleading several matters; joining tort and contract claims; separate trial in discretion of court; counterclaims
§ 8.01-273	Demurrer; form; grounds to be stated; amendment
§ 8.01-273.1	Motion for judgment; motion to refer; Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Act
§ 8.01-274	Motion to strike defensive pleading in equity and at law; exceptions abolished
§ 8.01-274.1	Motion or petition for rule to show cause for violation of court order
§ 8.01-275	When action or suit not to abate for want of form; what defects not to be regarded
§ 8.01-275.1	When service of process is timely
§ 8.01-276	Demurrer to evidence and plea in abatement abolished; motion to strike evidence and written motion, respectively, to be used in lieu thereof
§ 8.01-277	Defective process; motion to quash; untimely service; motion to dismiss
§ 8.01-277.1	Objections to personal jurisdiction or defective process; what constitutes waiver
§ 8.01-278	When plea of infancy not allowed; liability of infants for debts as traders; liability of infants on loans to defray expenses of education
§ 8.01-279	When proof is unnecessary unless affidavit filed; handwriting; ownership; partnership or incorporation
§ 8.01-280	Pleadings may be sworn to before clerk; affidavit of belief sufficient
§ 8.01-281	Pleading in alternative; separate trial on motion of party