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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>350021</law_id><section_number>17.1-253</section_number><catch_line>Committee to inquire into necessity of general index; report; plan adopted; locality to cover cost</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2026/" slug="2026" current="TRUE" last_updated="2026-08-02">2026</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="50" identifier="17.1">Courts of Record</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="2" identifier="2">Clerks, Clerks' Offices and Records</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="5" identifier="3">Records, Recordation and Indexing Generally</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Whenever the <span class="dictionary">circuit</span> court, or the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> thereof, finds that there is need of an improved system of general indexing to any of the records kept by the <span class="dictionary">clerk of court</span>, it shall be the duty of the court or <span class="dictionary">judge</span>, in its or his discretion, to appoint a committee to inquire into the necessity for such indexing, and make a report to the court, or the <span class="dictionary">judge</span> thereof. <a id="paragraph-1304460" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/17.1-253/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> If the committee reports that the work is needed, the court or <span class="dictionary">judge</span> shall authorize and direct the committee to make a written <span class="dictionary">contract</span> with some responsible and experienced person or persons, but such <span class="dictionary">contract</span> shall be approved by the court or <span class="dictionary">judge</span> before it becomes effective. <a id="paragraph-1304461" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/17.1-253/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> When such index is installed in any clerk&#x2019;s office the same plan of index to current records shall be adopted and used by the clerk of such court. <a id="paragraph-1304462" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/17.1-253/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> The governing body of the county or city wherein such indexing shall be directed by the court or <span class="dictionary">judge</span> to be done shall, if necessary, provide a sufficient sum to pay for such indexing and <span class="dictionary">materials</span>. <a id="paragraph-1304463" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/17.1-253/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>Code 1919, &#xA7;&#xA7; 3395, 3396, 3397, 3398, &#xA7;&#xA7; 17-80, 17-81, 17-82, 17-83; 1948, p. 62; 1998, c. 872.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
