{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/17.1-521.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/17.1-521.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/17.1-521.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/17.1-521.html"}],"law_id":350171,"edition_id":2,"section_id":350171,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-521","catch_line":"Who to hold special term; powers","history":"Code 1919, \u00a7 5896, \u00a7 17-132; 1998, c. 872.","full_text":"Every such special term may be held by the judge of the circuit court or, if he is dead or absent or is so situated in respect to any cause pending in the court as in his opinion to make it improper for him to try it, by such other circuit or city judge as may be selected or designated in the manner prescribed by law. The judge so selected or designated shall hold the special term and part of its session may be held by one judge and part of it by another. A judge selected or designated to hold a special term shall have all the powers and is authorized to discharge all the duties of the judge of such circuit court.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1305015,"text":"Every such special term may be held by the judge of the circuit court or, if he is dead or absent or is so situated in respect to any cause pending in the court as in his opinion to make it improper for him to try it, by such other circuit or city judge as may be selected or designated in the manner prescribed by law. The judge so selected or designated shall hold the special term and part of its session may be held by one judge and part of it by another. A judge selected or designated to hold a special term shall have all the powers and is authorized to discharge all the duties of the judge of such circuit court.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50124,"edition_id":2,"name":"Establishment; Jurisdiction; Etc","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":50123,"metadata":{"child_laws":36,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:41","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:13","permalink":{"id":1390699,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50124,"identifier":"1","token":"17.1\/5\/1","url":"\/17.1\/5\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50123,"edition_id":2,"name":"Circuit Courts","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":50105,"metadata":{"child_laws":36,"child_structures":1},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:41","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:13","permalink":{"id":1390697,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50123,"identifier":"5","token":"17.1\/5","url":"\/17.1\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50105,"edition_id":2,"name":"Courts of Record","identifier":"17.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":50,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":322,"child_structures":25},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:16","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:09","permalink":{"id":1389801,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50105,"identifier":"17.1","token":"17.1","url":"\/17.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":350140,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-500","catch_line":"Establishment of circuit courts","url":"\/17.1-500\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-500","metadata":false},{"id":350141,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-501","catch_line":"Judges of circuit courts; selection, powers and duties of chief judges; exercise of appointive powers","url":"\/17.1-501\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-501","metadata":false},{"id":350142,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-502","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Administrator of circuit court system","url":"\/17.1-502\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-502","metadata":false},{"id":350143,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-503","catch_line":"Rules of practice and procedure; rules not to preclude judges from hearing certain cases","url":"\/17.1-503\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-503","metadata":false},{"id":350144,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-504","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/17.1-504\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-504","metadata":false},{"id":350145,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-505","catch_line":"Circuit court of county to constitute circuit court of certain cities","url":"\/17.1-505\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-505","metadata":false},{"id":350146,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-506","catch_line":"Judicial circuits","url":"\/17.1-506\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-506","metadata":false},{"id":350147,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-507","catch_line":"Maximum number of judges; residence requirement; compensation; powers; etc","url":"\/17.1-507\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-507","metadata":false},{"id":350148,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-508","catch_line":"Judges in new or changed circuits; ratifying, validating and confirming certain actions","url":"\/17.1-508\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-508","metadata":false},{"id":350149,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-509","catch_line":"Vacancies in office of judge","url":"\/17.1-509\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-509","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":350150,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-510","catch_line":"Election of judge of new circuit; how court held meanwhile","url":"\/17.1-510\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-510","metadata":false},{"id":350151,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-511","catch_line":"Investigation and certification of necessity before vacancies filled","url":"\/17.1-511\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-511","metadata":false},{"id":350152,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-512","catch_line":"Election of successor judge before date of vacancy","url":"\/17.1-512\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-512","metadata":false},{"id":350156,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-513","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of circuit courts","url":"\/17.1-513\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-513","metadata":false},{"id":350153,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-513.01","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of circuit courts with respect to charitable assets","url":"\/17.1-513.01\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-513.01","metadata":false},{"id":350154,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-513.1","catch_line":"Appeals from administrative proceedings; abuse and neglect; record to be sealed","url":"\/17.1-513.1\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-513.1","metadata":false},{"id":350155,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-513.2","catch_line":"Use of telephonic communication systems or electronic video and audio communication systems to conduct hearing","url":"\/17.1-513.2\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-513.2","metadata":false},{"id":350157,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-514","catch_line":"When plaintiff entitled to less than $100; judgment for defendant","url":"\/17.1-514\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-514","metadata":false},{"id":350165,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-515","catch_line":"Jurisdiction formerly in county courts","url":"\/17.1-515\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515","metadata":false},{"id":350158,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-515.1","catch_line":"Territorial jurisdiction of the Circuit Court for the City of Lynchburg","url":"\/17.1-515.1\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.1","metadata":false},{"id":350159,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-515.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-515.2\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.2","metadata":false},{"id":350160,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-515.3","catch_line":"Designation of courtrooms within twenty-first and twenty-third circuits for trial of certain cases","url":"\/17.1-515.3\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.3","metadata":false},{"id":350161,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-515.4","catch_line":"Designation of certain courtrooms within sixteenth circuit for trial of certain cases","url":"\/17.1-515.4\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.4","metadata":false},{"id":350162,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-515.5","catch_line":"Designation of certain courtrooms within twenty-fifth circuit for trial of certain cases","url":"\/17.1-515.5\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.5","metadata":false},{"id":350163,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-515.6","catch_line":"Concurrent law-enforcement jurisdiction over Joint Judicial Center in Winchester","url":"\/17.1-515.6\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.6","metadata":false},{"id":350164,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-515.7","catch_line":"Designation of certain courtrooms within twenty-fifth circuit for trial of certain cases","url":"\/17.1-515.7\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-515.7","metadata":false},{"id":350166,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-516","catch_line":"Jurisdiction of courts over certain waters","url":"\/17.1-516\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-516","metadata":false},{"id":350167,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-517","catch_line":"Number of terms; how fixed","url":"\/17.1-517\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-517","metadata":false},{"id":350168,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-518","catch_line":"Special terms; when, how and by whom appointed","url":"\/17.1-518\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-518","metadata":false},{"id":350169,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-519","catch_line":"Adjournment thereof to a future day","url":"\/17.1-519\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-519","metadata":false},{"id":350170,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-520","catch_line":"What tried at a special term","url":"\/17.1-520\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-520","metadata":false},{"id":350171,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-521","catch_line":"Who to hold special term; powers","url":"\/17.1-521\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-521","metadata":false},{"id":350172,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-522","catch_line":"Adjournment of special term","url":"\/17.1-522\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-522","metadata":false},{"id":350173,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-523","catch_line":"Salaries of judges of circuit courts","url":"\/17.1-523\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-523","metadata":false},{"id":350174,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-524","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/17.1-524\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-524","metadata":false},{"id":350175,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-525","catch_line":"Certain information to be made available to certain defendants found not guilty","url":"\/17.1-525\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-525","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":350170,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-520","catch_line":"What tried at a special term","url":"\/17.1-520\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-520","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":350172,"structure_id":50124,"section_number":"17.1-522","catch_line":"Adjournment of special term","url":"\/17.1-522\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-522","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/17.1-521\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 1998, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?981+ful+CHAP0872\">872<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1390825,"object_type":"law","relational_id":350171,"identifier":"17.1-521","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-521","url":"\/17.1-521\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/17.1-521\/","token":"17.1\/5\/1\/17.1-521","dublin_core":{"Title":"Who to hold special term; powers","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 17.1-521","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Every such special term may be held by the <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> of the <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> or, if he is dead or absent or is so situated in respect to any cause pending in the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> as in his <span class=\"dictionary\">opinion<\/span> to make it improper for him to try it, by such other <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> or city <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> as may be selected or designated in the manner prescribed by <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>. The <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> so selected or designated shall hold the special term and part of its session may be held by one <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> and part of it by another. A <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> selected or designated to hold a special term shall have all the powers and is authorized to discharge all the duties of the <span class=\"dictionary\">judge<\/span> of such <span class=\"dictionary\">circuit<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHO TO HOLD SPECIAL TERM; POWERS (\u00a7 17.1-521)\n\nEvery such special term may be held by the judge of the circuit court or, if he\nis dead or absent or is so situated in respect to any cause pending in the court\nas in his opinion to make it improper for him to try it, by such other circuit\nor city judge as may be selected or designated in the manner prescribed by law.\nThe judge so selected or designated shall hold the special term and part of its\nsession may be held by one judge and part of it by another. A judge selected or\ndesignated to hold a special term shall have all the powers and is authorized to\ndischarge all the duties of the judge of such circuit court.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1919, \u00a7 5896, \u00a7 17-132; 1998, c. 872.","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"}}