<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>377670</law_id><section_number>8.01-6.1</section_number><catch_line>Amendment of pleading changing or adding a claim or defense; relation back</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="12" identifier="8.01">Civil Remedies and Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="3" identifier="2">Parties</unit><unit label="article" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Subject to any other applicable provisions of <span class="dictionary">law</span>, an amendment of a pleading changing or adding a claim or defense against a <span class="dictionary">party</span> relates back to the date of the original <span class="dictionary">pleadings</span> for purposes of the <span class="dictionary">statute of limitations</span> if the <span class="dictionary">court</span> finds (i) the claim or defense asserted in the amended pleading arose out of the conduct, transaction or occurrence set forth in the original pleading, (ii) the amending <span class="dictionary">party</span> was reasonably diligent in asserting the amended claim or defense, and (iii) parties opposing the amendment will not be substantially prejudiced in litigating on the merits as a result of the timing of the amendment. In connection with such an amendment, the <span class="dictionary">trial</span> <span class="dictionary">court</span> may grant a <span class="dictionary">continuance</span> or other relief to protect the parties. This section shall not apply to eminent domain or mechanics&#x2019; <span class="dictionary">lien</span> claims or defenses.</p></section></text><history>1996, c. 693.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
