Part Three: Practice and Procedures in Civil Actions · Last amended 2021 · Last verified July 16, 2026
In one sentenceAllows a new party to intervene as a plaintiff or defendant, by leave of court, to assert any claim or defense germane to the subject matter of a pending Virginia civil action, subjecting the intervenor to these Rules except the fees for writ tax and clerk’s costs.
Full Text of Rule 3:14
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A new party may by leave of court file a pleading to intervene as a plaintiff or
defendant to assert any claim or defense germane to the subject matter of the proceeding.
All provisions of these Rules applicable to civil cases, except those provisions requiring payment of writ tax and clerk's fees, apply to such pleadings. The parties on whom such pleadings are served must respond thereto as provided in these Rules.
Plain-English Summary
Intervention gives an outsider a way into a case that already affects their interests. A new party may, with leave of court, file a pleading to intervene as either a plaintiff or a defendant, as long as the claim or defense being asserted is germane to the subject matter already in the proceeding.
Once an intervenor is in the case, the same Rules that govern every other civil case apply to that intervenor’s pleadings — with one carve-out: the intervenor doesn’t have to pay the writ tax and clerk’s fees that an ordinary new filing would require. Any party served with the intervenor’s pleading has to respond to it the same way these Rules require for any other pleading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone join a Virginia lawsuit that’s already underway if it affects their interests?
Yes, through intervention. A new party may, with leave of court, file a pleading to intervene as a plaintiff or defendant to assert a claim or defense germane to the subject matter of the case.
Does an intervenor need the court’s permission to join the case?
Yes. Intervention requires leave of court before the pleading to intervene is filed.
What kind of claim or defense can an intervenor raise?
Only one that is germane to the subject matter of the proceeding already underway — not an unrelated dispute.
Does an intervenor have to pay the writ tax and clerk’s fees other new filings require?
No. Those payment requirements are the one exception to the otherwise full application of these Rules to an intervenor’s pleadings.
Do parties served with an intervenor’s pleading have to respond to it?
Yes. Parties served with a pleading to intervene must respond to it as these Rules otherwise require.
Amendment History
Last amended by Order dated November 23, 2020; effective March 1, 2021.
Source & verification. Rule text and amendment history are
reproduced verbatim from the Rules of Supreme Court of Virginia, published by the
Supreme Court of Virginia. Last verified July 16, 2026.
· Official source
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