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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>353586</law_id><section_number>20-146.9</section_number><catch_line>Communication between courts</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="56" identifier="20">Domestic Relations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="15" identifier="7.1">Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Before <span class="dictionary">finding</span> and exercising <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, a <span class="dictionary">court</span> of this Commonwealth shall communicate with the <span class="dictionary">court</span> appearing to have <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> in any other state concerning a proceeding arising under this act. <a id="paragraph-1317295" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.9/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> The <span class="dictionary">court</span> may allow the parties to participate in the communication. If the parties are not able to participate in the communication, they must be given the opportunity to present <span class="dictionary">facts</span> and legal arguments before a decision on <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span> is made. <a id="paragraph-1317296" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.9/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Communication between <span class="dictionary">courts</span> on <span class="dictionary">schedules</span>, calendars, <span class="dictionary">court</span> <span class="dictionary">records</span>, and similar matters may occur without informing the parties. A <span class="dictionary">record</span> need not be made of the communication. <a id="paragraph-1317297" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.9/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Except as otherwise provided in subsection C, a <span class="dictionary">record</span> must be made of a communication under this section. The parties must be informed promptly of the communication and granted access to the <span class="dictionary">record</span>. <a id="paragraph-1317298" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.9/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> For the purposes of this section, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">record</span>&#x201D; means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form. <a id="paragraph-1317299" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-146.9/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2001, c. 305.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
