An appeal may be taken from:
§ 8.01-581.016.Appeals.
Chapter 21. Arbitration and Award · Article 2. Uniform Arbitration Act · Last amended 2016 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceThis section lists exactly which arbitration-related orders can be appealed — denying or granting compelled arbitration, staying arbitration, confirming, denying, modifying, correcting, or vacating an award without a rehearing, and any resulting judgment — and directs that the appeal follow the same procedure as any other civil case.
Full Text of § 8.01-581.016
1. An order denying an application to compel arbitration made under § 8.01-581.02;
2. An order by a general district court granting an application to compel arbitration;
3. An order granting an application to stay arbitration made under subsection B of § 8.01-581.02;
4. An order confirming or denying an award;
5. An order modifying or correcting an award;
6. An order vacating an award without directing a rehearing; or
7. A judgment or decree entered pursuant to the provisions of this article.
The appeal shall be taken in the manner and to the same extent as from orders or judgments in a civil action.
Plain-English Summary
Not every ruling a court makes during an arbitration dispute can be appealed right away — this section draws the specific list of orders that qualify. It covers both directions of the compel-or-stay fight: an order denying a motion to compel arbitration, an order by a general district court granting one, and an order granting a stay of arbitration. It covers the award itself, however the court resolved it — confirming or denying, modifying or correcting, or vacating without sending the case back for a rehearing. And it covers the final judgment or decree entered under the article.
Notice what is missing from that list: an order vacating an award that does direct a rehearing is not on it, because that kind of order sends the case back into arbitration rather than closing it out — there is nothing final yet to appeal.
Once an order does fall on the list, the appeal itself is not a special arbitration procedure. It runs the same way, and to the same extent, as an appeal from any other order or judgment in a civil case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a party appeal an order denying a motion to compel arbitration?
Yes, an order denying an application to compel arbitration made under § 8.01-581.02 is appealable.
Is an order vacating an award always appealable?
No. Only an order vacating an award without directing a rehearing is appealable; an order that vacates and sends the case back for a rehearing is not on the list.
Can an order confirming an arbitration award be appealed?
Yes, an order confirming or denying an award is one of the listed appealable orders.
Is a stay of arbitration granted under § 8.01-581.02(B) appealable?
Yes, an order granting an application to stay arbitration made under subsection B of § 8.01-581.02 is appealable.
What procedure governs an appeal from one of these arbitration orders?
The appeal is taken in the manner and to the same extent as from orders or judgments in a civil action — no separate arbitration-specific appeal procedure applies.
Amendment History
1986, c. 614; 2016, c. 181.
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
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