Virginia Civil Procedure Flashcards
What is the upper monetary limit for a personal injury case filed in general district court?
$50,000
General district courts have concurrent subject matter jurisdiction with circuit courts when the amount in controversy exceeds ________ but does not exceed __________.
$4,500; $50,000.
If the trial judge in a civil action has granted a motion to strike the evidence of the plaintiff or the defendant, what should the judge do?
Enter summary judgment or partial summary judgment in conformity with his ruling on the motion to strike.
What is the object of a declaratory judgment action?
To obtain a declaration of right.
What remedy is designed to cure an award of damages that is grossly excessive without the necessity of a new trial or appeal?
Remittitur.
Service of process in a civil action or suit is deemed timely if made within how long of the commencement of the action or suit against the defendant?
12 months
If damages found by the jury are inadequate, the court may require the defendant to pay an amount in excess of the verdict or face a new trial. This is called:
Additur.
True or False: Sovereign immunity applies to the Commonwealth in all suits for money damages caused by the negligence of a state employee.
FALSE
True or False: A pleading can be signed by using a law firm name only.
FALSE
True or False: Summary judgment as to liability may not be granted if there is a genuine issue as to the amount of damages.
FALSE
Generally, a bill of review may be filed within what time period after entry of the decree to be reviewed?
Six months.
The plaintiff may, at plaintiff’s option, within _______ after service of the third-party complaint upon the third-party defendant, assert any claim against the third-party defendant arising out of the transaction or occurrence that is the subject matter of the plaintiff’s claim against the third-party plaintiff.
21 days.
What claims may be heard in general district court regardless of the amount in controversy?
Distress claims.
A plaintiff in a lawsuit against the Commonwealth must notify the Commonwealth of the claim within ______ of the accrual of the cause of action.
One year.
Unless otherwise provided, every action for personal injuries, whatever the theory of recovery, must be brought within _____ year(s) after the cause. of action accrues.
Two years.
For a personal injury case against the Commonwealth for which the statute of limitations is two years, when must the plaintiff notify the Commonwealth of the claim before it will be barred?
Within one year.
True or False: An arbitration award must be vacated if a court of law or equity would not have arrived at the same result.
FALSE.
A trial court has the power to vacate a default judgment or decree on the ground of fraud within ______ of rendition.
Two years.
Leave to amend a pleading is to be:
Liberally granted in furtherance of the ends of justice.
Every action for injury resulting from libel, slander, insulting words, or defamation shall be brought within _____ after the cause of action accrues.
One year.
A ______ requires a non party deponent to bring documentary evidence with him to a deposition.
Subpoena duces tecum.