Filing a Civil Action (Part I)

Question 1

A motion for a new trial in General District Court

Answer 1

Must be made within 30 days of judgment; hearing and ruling must be made within 45 days of judgment

Question 2

Only _____________ trials occur in General District Court

Answer 2

bench (no jury trials in General District Court)

Question 3

Have jurisdiction over domestic relations matters (but not over divorce or adoption)

Answer 3

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts

Question 4

Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court is divested of jurisdiction to issue orders if

Answer 4

A party

-Raises spousal support or support, custody, or visitation of children, AND

-Hearing is set by Circuit Court for a date certain or within 21 days of filing

Question 5

General District Courts and Circuit Courts have concurrent original jurisdiction over

Answer 5

-Personal Property Partition ($4,501-$25,000)

-Personal Property Attachment (up to $25,000)

-Unlawful Detainer

-Interpleader (jurisdictional monetary cap does not apply to actions re: earnest money deposits in real estate Ks)

-VA Freedom of Information Act

*all monetary amounts are exclusive of interest and attorney fees

Question 6

General District Courts and Circuit Courts have concurrent original jurisdiction to grant monetary relief

Answer 6

For more than $4,500 but not more than:

1) $25,000 in actions for debt, fines, breach of contract, or property damage, or

2) $50,000 in actions for personal injury or wrongful death

*monetary amounts are exclusive of interest and attorney fees

Question 7

General District Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over

Answer 7

-Small Claims (not more than $5,000)

-Personal Property Partition ($21-$4,500)

*monetary amounts are exclusive of interest and attorney fees

Question 8

General District Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction to grant monetary relief

Answer 8

In civil actions for up to $4,500

*monetary amount is exclusive of interest and attorney fees

Question 9

Circuit Courts have exclusive original jurisdiction over

Answer 9

-Monetary relief in civil claims over $25,000 ($50,000 for personal injury and wrongful death)

-Equitable Relief; Real Property disputes; Decedent’s Estates

*monetary amounts are exclusive of interest and attorney fees

Question 10

All ______________ trials are held in the Circuit Courts

Answer 10

jury

Question 11

________________ Courts are “courts of record” where the trial record forms the basis for an appeal

Answer 11

Circuit