It is the intent of this chapter that every action shall be commenced and tried in a forum convenient to the parties and witnesses, where justice can be administered without prejudice or delay. Except where specifically provided otherwise, whenever the word "action(s)" is used in this chapter, it shall mean all actions at law, suits in equity, and statutory proceedings, whether in circuit courts or district courts.
§ 8.01-257.Venue generally.
Chapter 5. Venue · Last amended 1977 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceSection 8.01-257 states the purpose behind Virginia’s venue chapter — that every action be commenced and tried where it is convenient for parties and witnesses and where justice can proceed without prejudice or delay — and defines “action” broadly to reach law, equity, and statutory proceedings in circuit or district court.
Full Text of § 8.01-257
Plain-English Summary
Section 8.01-257 opens Chapter 5 with a statement of purpose rather than a rule of decision: venue exists so that a lawsuit lands in a forum convenient to the people who have to show up for it — the parties and the witnesses — and where a court can administer justice without prejudice or delay. Every specific venue rule that follows in this chapter serves that goal, even where the statutory categories get technical.
The section also defines how far the chapter reaches. Unless a provision says otherwise, “action” or “actions” means every action at law, every suit in equity, and every statutory proceeding, whether filed in a circuit court or a district court. That broad definition keeps one set of venue rules working across Virginia’s different types of civil cases, rather than forcing lawyers to hunt for separate venue rules depending on whether a case sounds in law, equity, or statute.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the stated purpose of Virginia’s venue chapter?
Section 8.01-257 says the chapter’s intent is that every action be commenced and tried in a forum convenient to the parties and witnesses, where justice can be administered without prejudice or delay.
What does “action” mean under Chapter 5 of Title 8.01?
Unless a section specifically provides otherwise, “action(s)” means all actions at law, suits in equity, and statutory proceedings, whether in circuit courts or district courts.
Does Section 8.01-257 itself set out venue rules for specific case types?
No. It states the chapter’s purpose and defines its scope; the specific preferred and permissible venue rules appear in later sections such as §§ 8.01-261 and 8.01-262.
Does the venue chapter apply to district court proceedings as well as circuit court cases?
Yes. The definition of “action(s)” in § 8.01-257 expressly covers proceedings in circuit courts or district courts.
Are there proceedings excluded from the “action” definition in this chapter?
Yes, where a specific provision says otherwise; § 8.01-259, for example, separately lists proceedings the venue chapter does not reach.
Amendment History
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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