Bill Text: VA HB934 | 2024 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Small claims court; representation of certain entities.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-08 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0058) [HB934 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB934-Chaptered.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §16.1-122.4 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§16.1-122.4. Representation and removal; rights of parties.
A. All parties shall be represented by themselves in actions before the small claims court except as follows:
1. A corporate or corporation, partnership
plaintiff or defendant, limited liability company, or other legal or
commercial entity may be represented by an owner, a general partner, an
officer, a member, or an employee of that corporation or,
partnership, limited liability company, or other legal or commercial entity
who shall have all the rights and privileges given an individual to represent,
plead, and try a case without an attorney. An attorney may serve in this
capacity if he is appearing pro se, but he may not serve in a representative
capacity.
2. A plaintiff or defendant who, in the judge's opinion, is unable to understand or participate on his own behalf in the hearing may be represented by a friend or relative if the representative is familiar with the facts of the case and is not an attorney.
B. A defendant shall have the right to remove the case to the general district court at any point preceding the handing down of the decision by the judge and may be represented by an attorney for that purpose.
