{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/11-2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/11-2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/11-2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/11-2.html"}],"law_id":346218,"edition_id":2,"section_id":346218,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-2","catch_line":"When written evidence required to maintain action","history":"Code 1919, \u00a7 5561; 1976, c. 157; 1990, c. 570; 2024, cc. 459, 621.","full_text":"Unless a promise, contract, agreement, representation, assurance, or ratification, or some memorandum or note thereof, is in writing and signed by the party to be charged or his agent, no action shall be brought in any of the following cases:\n\n1\n\nTo charge any person upon or by reason of a representation or assurance concerning the character, conduct, credit, ability, trade, or dealings of another, to the intent or purpose that such other may obtain thereby, credit, money, or goods;\n\n2\n\nTo charge any person upon a promise made after attaining the age of majority, to pay a debt contracted during infancy, or upon a ratification after attaining the age of majority, of a promise or simple contract made during infancy;\n\n3\n\nTo charge a personal representative upon a promise to answer any debt or damages out of his own estate;\n\n4\n\nTo charge any person upon a promise to answer for the debt, default, or misdoings of another;\n\n5\n\nUpon any agreement made upon consideration of marriage;\n\n6\n\nUpon any contract for the sale of real estate, or for the lease thereof for more than a year;\n\n7\n\nUpon any agreement or contract for services to be performed in the sale of real estate by a party defined in § 54.1-2100;\n\n8\n\nUpon any agreement that is not to be performed within a year; or\n\n9\n\nUpon any agreement or promise to lend money or extend credit in an aggregate amount of $25,000 or more.\n\t\t\tThe consideration need not be set forth or expressed in the writing, and it may be proved (where a consideration is necessary) by other evidence.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1290584,"text":"Unless a promise, contract, agreement, representation, assurance, or ratification, or some memorandum or note thereof, is in writing and signed by the party to be charged or his agent, no action shall be brought in any of the following cases:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1290585,"text":"To charge any person upon or by reason of a representation or assurance concerning the character, conduct, credit, ability, trade, or dealings of another, to the intent or purpose that such other may obtain thereby, credit, money, or goods;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1290586,"text":"To charge any person upon a promise made after attaining the age of majority, to pay a debt contracted during infancy, or upon a ratification after attaining the age of majority, of a promise or simple contract made during infancy;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1290587,"text":"To charge a personal representative upon a promise to answer any debt or damages out of his own estate;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1290588,"text":"To charge any person upon a promise to answer for the debt, default, or misdoings of another;","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1290589,"text":"Upon any agreement made upon consideration of marriage;","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":1290590,"text":"Upon any contract for the sale of real estate, or for the lease thereof for more than a year;","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":1290591,"text":"Upon any agreement or contract for services to be performed in the sale of real estate by a party defined in § 54.1-2100;","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":1290592,"text":"Upon any agreement that is not to be performed within a year; or","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":1290593,"text":"Upon any agreement or promise to lend money or extend credit in an aggregate amount of $25,000 or more.\n\t\t\tThe consideration need not be set forth or expressed in the writing, and it may be proved (where a consideration is necessary) by other evidence.","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":49711,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":49710,"metadata":{"child_laws":22,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:13:51","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:03","permalink":{"id":1374113,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49711,"identifier":"1","token":"11\/1","url":"\/11\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49710,"edition_id":2,"name":"Contracts","identifier":"11","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":40,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":39,"child_structures":9},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:13:51","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:02","permalink":{"id":1374111,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49710,"identifier":"11","token":"11","url":"\/11\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":346200,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-1","catch_line":"Certain contracts void as to creditors and purchasers unless in writing; law governing validity of contracts creating security interests","url":"\/11-1\/","token":"11\/1\/11-1","metadata":false},{"id":346218,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-2","catch_line":"When written evidence required to maintain action","url":"\/11-2\/","token":"11\/1\/11-2","metadata":false},{"id":346213,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-2.01","catch_line":"Promise after bankruptcy must be in writing","url":"\/11-2.01\/","token":"11\/1\/11-2.01","metadata":false},{"id":346214,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-2.1","catch_line":"Goods sent by mail","url":"\/11-2.1\/","token":"11\/1\/11-2.1","metadata":false},{"id":346215,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-2.2","catch_line":"Unsolicited goods deemed gift to recipient","url":"\/11-2.2\/","token":"11\/1\/11-2.2","metadata":false},{"id":346216,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-2.3","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/11-2.3\/","token":"11\/1\/11-2.3","metadata":false},{"id":346217,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-2.4","catch_line":"Notice of possible filing of mechanics' lien required","url":"\/11-2.4\/","token":"11\/1\/11-2.4","metadata":false},{"id":346221,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-3","catch_line":"Sealed writings; writings not purporting to be sealed","url":"\/11-3\/","token":"11\/1\/11-3","metadata":false},{"id":346232,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-4","catch_line":"Sizes of type in printed contracts","url":"\/11-4\/","token":"11\/1\/11-4","metadata":false},{"id":346225,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-4.1","catch_line":"Certain indemnification provisions in construction contracts declared void","url":"\/11-4.1\/","token":"11\/1\/11-4.1","metadata":false},{"id":346226,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-4.1:1","catch_line":"Waiver of payment bond claims and contract claims; construction contracts","url":"\/11-4.1_1\/","token":"11\/1\/11-4.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":346227,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-4.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/11-4.2\/","token":"11\/1\/11-4.2","metadata":false},{"id":346228,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-4.3","catch_line":"When acceleration of payment or repossession of consumer goods not allowed","url":"\/11-4.3\/","token":"11\/1\/11-4.3","metadata":false},{"id":346229,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-4.4","catch_line":"Certain indemnification and duty to defend provisions in contracts with design professionals declared void","url":"\/11-4.4\/","token":"11\/1\/11-4.4","metadata":false},{"id":346230,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-4.5","catch_line":"Certain indemnification provisions in motor carrier transportation contracts declared void","url":"\/11-4.5\/","token":"11\/1\/11-4.5","metadata":false},{"id":346231,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-4.6","catch_line":"Required contract provisions in construction contracts","url":"\/11-4.6\/","token":"11\/1\/11-4.6","metadata":false},{"id":346233,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-5","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/11-5\/","token":"11\/1\/11-5","metadata":false},{"id":346234,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-7.1","catch_line":"Certain entities' authority to extend performance agreements","url":"\/11-7.1\/","token":"11\/1\/11-7.1","metadata":false},{"id":346235,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-8","catch_line":"Instruments executed by minors or surviving spouses to obtain benefits under certain federal legislation","url":"\/11-8\/","token":"11\/1\/11-8","metadata":false},{"id":346238,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-9","catch_line":"Writing payable to deceased person","url":"\/11-9\/","token":"11\/1\/11-9","metadata":false},{"id":346236,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-9.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/11-9.1\/","token":"11\/1\/11-9.1","metadata":false},{"id":346237,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-9.8","catch_line":"Construction of certain terms of offer to contract; use of experience modification factor prohibited","url":"\/11-9.8\/","token":"11\/1\/11-9.8","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":346200,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-1","catch_line":"Certain contracts void as to creditors and purchasers unless in writing; law governing validity of contracts creating security interests","url":"\/11-1\/","token":"11\/1\/11-1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":346213,"structure_id":49711,"section_number":"11-2.01","catch_line":"Promise after bankruptcy must be in writing","url":"\/11-2.01\/","token":"11\/1\/11-2.01","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/11-2\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1976, chapter 157; in 1990, chapter 570; in 2024, chapters 459<\/a> and 621<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":368024,"section_number":"54.1-2100","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/54.1-2100\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1374119,"object_type":"law","relational_id":346218,"identifier":"11-2","token":"11\/1\/11-2","url":"\/11-2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/11-2\/","token":"11\/1\/11-2","dublin_core":{"Title":"When written evidence required to maintain action","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 11-2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Unless a promise, contract<\/span>, agreement, representation, assurance, or ratification, or some memorandum<\/span> or note thereof, is in writing and signed by the party<\/span> to be charged or his agent, no action shall be brought in any of the following cases:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To charge any person upon or by reason of a representation or assurance concerning the character, conduct, credit, ability, trade, or dealings of another, to the intent<\/span> or purpose that such other may obtain thereby, credit, money, or goods; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To charge any person upon a promise made after attaining the age of majority, to pay a debt contracted during infancy, or upon a ratification after attaining the age of majority, of a promise or simple contract<\/span> made during infancy; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To charge a personal representative upon a promise to answer any debt or damages<\/span> out of his own estate; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To charge any person upon a promise to answer for the debt, default<\/span>, or misdoings of another; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Upon any agreement made upon consideration of marriage; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Upon any contract<\/span> for the sale of real estate, or for the lease thereof for more than a year; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Upon any agreement or contract<\/span> for services to be performed in the sale of real estate by a party<\/span> defined in § 54.1-2100<\/a>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Upon any agreement that is not to be performed within a year; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Upon any agreement or promise to lend money or extend credit in an aggregate amount of $25,000 or more.\n\t\t\tThe consideration need not be set forth or expressed in the writing, and it may be proved (where a consideration is necessary) by other evidence<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHEN WRITTEN EVIDENCE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ACTION (\u00a7 11-2)\n\nUnless a promise, contract, agreement, representation, assurance, or\nratification, or some memorandum or note thereof, is in writing and signed by\nthe party to be charged or his agent, no action shall be brought in any of the\nfollowing cases:\n\n1. To charge any person upon or by reason of a representation or assurance\nconcerning the character, conduct, credit, ability, trade, or dealings of\nanother, to the intent or purpose that such other may obtain thereby, credit,\nmoney, or goods;\n\n2. To charge any person upon a promise made after attaining the age of majority,\nto pay a debt contracted during infancy, or upon a ratification after attaining\nthe age of majority, of a promise or simple contract made during infancy;\n\n3. To charge a personal representative upon a promise to answer any debt or\ndamages out of his own estate;\n\n4. To charge any person upon a promise to answer for the debt, default, or\nmisdoings of another;\n\n5. Upon any agreement made upon consideration of marriage;\n\n6. Upon any contract for the sale of real estate, or for the lease thereof for\nmore than a year;\n\n7. Upon any agreement or contract for services to be performed in the sale of\nreal estate by a party defined in § 54.1-2100;\n\n8. Upon any agreement that is not to be performed within a year; or\n\n9. Upon any agreement or promise to lend money or extend credit in an aggregate\namount of $25,000 or more.\n\t\t\tThe consideration need not be set forth or expressed in the writing, and it\nmay be proved (where a consideration is necessary) by other evidence.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1919, \u00a7 5561; 1976, c. 157; 1990, c. 570; 2024, cc. 459, 621.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}