When the right of the plaintiff is proved to all the premises claimed, the verdict shall be for the premises generally as specified in the motion for judgment, but if it be proved to only a part or share of the premises, the verdict shall specify such part particularly as the same is proved, and with the same certainty of description as is required in the motion for judgment.
§ 8.01-151.How verdict to specify premises recovered.
Chapter 3. Actions · Article 14. Ejectment · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-151 requires the verdict to award the premises generally, as described in the motion for judgment, when the plaintiff’s right covers everything claimed, or to particularly specify the proven part or share, with the same certainty required in the motion, when the right covers less.
Full Text of § 8.01-151
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-151 ties the form of the verdict to the scope of what the plaintiff proves. When the plaintiff’s right is established to the entire premises claimed, the verdict is direct — it awards the premises generally, using the same description already given in the motion for judgment.
But when the proof covers only a part or share of the premises rather than the whole, the verdict cannot track the original claim alone. It must specify that lesser part particularly, described with the same certainty of description the motion for judgment itself was required to meet under Section 8.01-136.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the verdict say if the plaintiff proves a right to everything claimed?
The verdict is for the premises generally, as specified in the motion for judgment, when the plaintiff’s right to all the claimed premises is proved.
What if the plaintiff proves a right to only part of the property?
The verdict specifies that part particularly, described with the same certainty required in the motion for judgment.
Why does the verdict need the same level of description as the motion for judgment?
Because the description has to be precise enough, as required under Section 8.01-136, for possession of the awarded premises to be delivered once judgment is entered.
Does this section apply when the plaintiff recovers an undivided share rather than a specific piece?
Section 8.01-152 supplies the specific rule for undivided shares and interests, requiring the verdict to specify the share and describe the relevant part; Section 8.01-151 sets the general framework distinguishing recovery of the whole from recovery of a lesser part.
What happens if the verdict fails to specify the part proven with the required certainty?
A verdict that does not meet the certainty requirement would fall short of what Section 8.01-151 demands, since the whole purpose of the specificity is to make the judgment enforceable against the exact land proved.
Amendment History
Code 1950, § 8-821; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.
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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