2006 Code of Virginia § 16.1-88.03 - Pleadings and other papers by certain parties not represented by attorneys

16.1-88.03. Pleadings and other papers by certain parties not representedby attorneys.

A. Any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limitedpartnership, professional corporation, professional limited liabilitycompany, registered limited liability partnership, registered limitedliability limited partnership or business trust, when the amount claimed inany civil action pursuant to subdivision (1) or (3) of 16.1-77 does notexceed the jurisdictional amounts authorized in such subsections, exclusiveof interest, may prepare, execute, file, and have served on other parties inany proceeding in a general district court a warrant in debt, motion forjudgment, warrant in detinue, distress warrant, summons for unlawfuldetainer, counterclaim, crossclaim, suggestion for summons in garnishment,garnishment summons, writ of possession, writ of fieri facias, interpleaderand civil appeal notice without the intervention of an attorney. Such papersmay be signed by a corporate officer, a manager of a limited liabilitycompany, a general partner of any form of partnership or a trustee of anybusiness trust, or such corporate officer, with the approval of the board ofdirectors, or manager, general partner or trustee may authorize in writing anemployee, a person licensed under the provisions of 54.1-2106.1, a propertymanager, or a managing agent of a landlord as defined in 55-248.4 to signsuch papers as the agent of the business entity. However, this section shallnot apply to an action under subdivision (1) or (3) of 16.1-77 which wasassigned to a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limitedpartnership, professional corporation, professional limited liabilitycompany, registered limited liability partnership, registered limitedliability limited partnership or business trust, or individual solely for thepurpose of enforcing an obligation owed or right inuring to another.

B. Nothing in this section shall allow a nonlawyer to file a bill ofparticulars or grounds of defense or to argue motions, issue a subpoena, ruleto show cause, or capias; file or interrogate at debtor interrogatories; orto file, issue or argue any other paper, pleading or proceeding not set forthin subsection A.

C. The provisions of 8.01-271.1 shall apply to any pleading, motion orother paper filed or made pursuant to this section.

D. Parties not represented by counsel, and who have made an appearance in thecase, shall promptly notify in writing the clerk of court wherein thelitigation is pending, and any adverse party, of any change in the party'saddress necessary for accurate mailing or service of any pleadings ornotices. In the absence of such notification, a mailing to or service upon aparty at the most recent address contained in the court file of the caseshall be deemed effective service or other notice.

(1990, c. 645; 1992, c. 814; 1993, cc. 473, 478; 2003, cc. 665, 667; 2004,cc. 338, 365; 2005, c. 136; 2006, c. 374.)