{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/8.01-159.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/8.01-159.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/8.01-159.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/8.01-159.html"}],"law_id":376839,"edition_id":2,"section_id":376839,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-159","catch_line":"When court to assess damages","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 8-828; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.","full_text":"If there be no issue of fact tried in the cause, and judgment is to be rendered for the plaintiff on demurrer, or otherwise, such damages shall be assessed by the court, unless either party shall move to have them assessed by a jury, or the court shall think proper to have them so assessed, in which case a jury shall be impaneled to assess them. If the defendant is in default the court shall proceed to render judgment and assess damages as provided in Rule of Court 3:19.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1406843,"text":"If there be no issue of fact tried in the cause, and judgment is to be rendered for the plaintiff on demurrer, or otherwise, such damages shall be assessed by the court, unless either party shall move to have them assessed by a jury, or the court shall think proper to have them so assessed, in which case a jury shall be impaneled to assess them. If the defendant is in default the court shall proceed to render judgment and assess damages as provided in Rule of Court 3:19.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":53567,"edition_id":2,"name":"Ejectment","identifier":"14","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":15,"parent_id":53562,"metadata":{"child_laws":35,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:18:37","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:12","permalink":{"id":1506863,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53567,"identifier":"14","token":"8.01\/3\/14","url":"\/8.01\/3\/14\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53562,"edition_id":2,"name":"Actions","identifier":"3","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":5,"parent_id":53558,"metadata":{"child_laws":357,"child_structures":31},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:18:33","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:10","permalink":{"id":1506637,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53562,"identifier":"3","token":"8.01\/3","url":"\/8.01\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53558,"edition_id":2,"name":"Civil Remedies and Procedure","identifier":"8.01","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":12,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1095,"child_structures":142},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:18:32","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:09","permalink":{"id":1504031,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53558,"identifier":"8.01","token":"8.01","url":"\/8.01\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":376807,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-131","catch_line":"Action of ejectment retained; when and by whom brought","url":"\/8.01-131\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-131","metadata":false},{"id":376808,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-132","catch_line":"What interest and right plaintiff must have","url":"\/8.01-132\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-132","metadata":false},{"id":376809,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-133","catch_line":"Who shall be defendants; when and how landlord may defend","url":"\/8.01-133\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-133","metadata":false},{"id":376810,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-134","catch_line":"How action commenced and prosecuted","url":"\/8.01-134\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-134","metadata":false},{"id":376811,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-135","catch_line":"What is to be stated in motion for judgment","url":"\/8.01-135\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-135","metadata":false},{"id":376812,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-136","catch_line":"How premises described","url":"\/8.01-136\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-136","metadata":false},{"id":376813,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-137","catch_line":"Plaintiff to state how he claims","url":"\/8.01-137\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-137","metadata":false},{"id":376814,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-138","catch_line":"There may be several counts and several plaintiffs","url":"\/8.01-138\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-138","metadata":false},{"id":376815,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-139","catch_line":"What proof by plaintiff is sufficient","url":"\/8.01-139\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-139","metadata":false},{"id":376817,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-140","catch_line":"Effect of reservation in deed; burden of proof","url":"\/8.01-140\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-140","metadata":false},{"id":376818,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-141","catch_line":"When action by cotenants, etc., against cotenants, what plaintiff to prove","url":"\/8.01-141\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-141","metadata":false},{"id":376819,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-142","catch_line":"Verdict when action against several defendants","url":"\/8.01-142\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-142","metadata":false},{"id":376820,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-143","catch_line":"When there may be several judgments against defendants","url":"\/8.01-143\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-143","metadata":false},{"id":376821,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-144","catch_line":"Recovery of part of premises claimed","url":"\/8.01-144\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-144","metadata":false},{"id":376822,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-145","catch_line":"When possession of part not possession of whole","url":"\/8.01-145\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-145","metadata":false},{"id":376823,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-146","catch_line":"When vendee, etc., entitled to conveyance of legal title, vendor cannot recover","url":"\/8.01-146\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-146","metadata":false},{"id":376824,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-147","catch_line":"When mortgagee or trustee not to recover","url":"\/8.01-147\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-147","metadata":false},{"id":376825,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-148","catch_line":"Right of defendant to resort to equity not affected","url":"\/8.01-148\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-148","metadata":false},{"id":376826,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-149","catch_line":"Verdict when jury finds for plaintiffs or any of them","url":"\/8.01-149\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-149","metadata":false},{"id":376830,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-150","catch_line":"Verdict when any plaintiff has no right","url":"\/8.01-150\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-150","metadata":false},{"id":376831,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-151","catch_line":"How verdict to specify premises recovered","url":"\/8.01-151\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-151","metadata":false},{"id":376832,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-152","catch_line":"How verdict to specify undivided interest or share","url":"\/8.01-152\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-152","metadata":false},{"id":376833,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-153","catch_line":"Verdict to specify estate of plaintiff","url":"\/8.01-153\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-153","metadata":false},{"id":376834,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-154","catch_line":"When right of plaintiff expires before trial, what judgment entered","url":"\/8.01-154\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-154","metadata":false},{"id":376835,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-155","catch_line":"How judgment for plaintiff entered","url":"\/8.01-155\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-155","metadata":false},{"id":376836,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-156","catch_line":"Authority of sheriffs, etc., to store and sell personal property removed from premises; recovery of possession by owner; disposition or sale","url":"\/8.01-156\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-156","metadata":false},{"id":376837,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-157","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/8.01-157\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-157","metadata":false},{"id":376838,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-158","catch_line":"How claim of plaintiff for profits and damages assessed","url":"\/8.01-158\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-158","metadata":false},{"id":376839,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-159","catch_line":"When court to assess damages","url":"\/8.01-159\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-159","metadata":false},{"id":376841,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-160","catch_line":"Defendant to give notice of claim for improvements","url":"\/8.01-160\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-160","metadata":false},{"id":376842,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-161","catch_line":"How allowed","url":"\/8.01-161\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-161","metadata":false},{"id":376843,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-162","catch_line":"Postponement of assessment and allowance","url":"\/8.01-162\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-162","metadata":false},{"id":376844,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-163","catch_line":"Judgment to be conclusive","url":"\/8.01-163\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-163","metadata":false},{"id":376845,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-164","catch_line":"Recovery of mesne profits, etc., not affected","url":"\/8.01-164\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-164","metadata":false},{"id":376846,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-165","catch_line":"Writ of right, etc., abolished","url":"\/8.01-165\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-165","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":376838,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-158","catch_line":"How claim of plaintiff for profits and damages assessed","url":"\/8.01-158\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-158","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":376841,"structure_id":53567,"section_number":"8.01-160","catch_line":"Defendant to give notice of claim for improvements","url":"\/8.01-160\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-160","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/8.01-159\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 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 1954, chapter 333; in 1977, chapter 617.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1506977,"object_type":"law","relational_id":376839,"identifier":"8.01-159","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-159","url":"\/8.01-159\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/8.01-159\/","token":"8.01\/3\/14\/8.01-159","dublin_core":{"Title":"When court to assess damages","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 8.01-159","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>If there be no <span class=\"dictionary\">issue<\/span> of <span class=\"dictionary\">fact<\/span> tried in the cause, and <span class=\"dictionary\">judgment<\/span> is to be rendered for the <span class=\"dictionary\">plaintiff<\/span> on <span class=\"dictionary\">demurrer<\/span>, or otherwise, such <span class=\"dictionary\">damages<\/span> shall be assessed by the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>, unless either <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> shall move to have them assessed by a <span class=\"dictionary\">jury<\/span>, or the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall think proper to have them so assessed, in which case a <span class=\"dictionary\">jury<\/span> shall be impaneled to assess them. If the <span class=\"dictionary\">defendant<\/span> is in <span class=\"dictionary\">default<\/span> the <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span> shall proceed to render <span class=\"dictionary\">judgment<\/span> and assess <span class=\"dictionary\">damages<\/span> as provided in Rule of <span class=\"dictionary\">Court<\/span> 3:19.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nWHEN COURT TO ASSESS DAMAGES (\u00a7 8.01-159)\n\nIf there be no issue of fact tried in the cause, and judgment is to be rendered\nfor the plaintiff on demurrer, or otherwise, such damages shall be assessed by\nthe court, unless either party shall move to have them assessed by a jury, or\nthe court shall think proper to have them so assessed, in which case a jury\nshall be impaneled to assess them. If the defendant is in default the court\nshall proceed to render judgment and assess damages as provided in Rule of Court\n3:19.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 8-828; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.","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"}}