This chapter does not prevent the recognition under principles of comity or otherwise of a foreign-country judgment not within the scope of this chapter. 2014, c. 462.
§ 8.01-465.13:10.Saving clause.
Chapter 17.2. Uniform Foreign-country Money Judgments Recognition Act · Not amended since adoption on record · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceThis section clarifies that Chapter 17.2's recognition standards are not the exclusive path to recognizing a foreign-country judgment, so a judgment that falls outside the chapter's scope may still be recognized under traditional comity principles or other doctrines.
Full Text of § 8.01-465.13:10
Plain-English Summary
Not every foreign-country judgment fits inside this chapter's scope. Section 8.01-465.13:2 carves out tax judgments, fines and penalties, and divorce, support, or other domestic-relations judgments, even when they involve a sum of money. This section makes sure that exclusion does not leave those judgments with no path to recognition at all.
The chapter “does not prevent” recognition of a foreign-country judgment outside its scope under principles of comity or otherwise. Comity — the practice of a court voluntarily honoring another jurisdiction's ruling out of respect and reciprocity — remains available as a separate doctrine, untouched by this chapter's more structured standards.
The saving clause works as a backstop rather than a grant of rights. It does not import this chapter's mandatory recognition rule into excluded judgments; it just confirms courts remain free to reach for comity or other existing doctrines when this chapter's specific rules do not apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the saving clause in this section preserve?
Recognition “under principles of comity or otherwise” of a foreign-country judgment not within the scope of this chapter.
Which judgments fall outside this chapter's scope?
As defined in § 8.01-465.13:2, tax judgments, fines or penalties, and judgments for divorce, support, maintenance, or other domestic-relations matters.
Does this section give excluded judgments the chapter's mandatory recognition standards?
No, it only confirms the chapter does not block recognition through other doctrines like comity; the chapter's specific standards in § 8.01-465.13:3 do not extend to those judgments.
Does this section limit courts to only the chapter's grounds for a judgment that is within scope?
No, the text addresses foreign-country judgments “not within the scope of this chapter”; it does not govern judgments the chapter already covers.
Is recognition under comity automatic because of this section?
No, the section only states the chapter does not prevent comity recognition; comity itself is a separate, judicially developed doctrine outside this chapter's rules.
Source & verification. Section text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Code of Virginia, published by the
Code of Virginia, Virginia Division of Legislative Automated Systems. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: comity recognition of foreign judgment virginiasaving clause uniform foreign country judgments actrecognizing a foreign judgment outside chapter 17.2 scoperecognizing a foreign tax or family law judgment in virginia