Code of Virginia
Chapter 1 - General Provisions
§ 11-4.4. Certain indemnification and duty to defend provisions in contracts with design professionals declared void

Any provision contained in any contract relating to the planning or design of a building, structure or appurtenance thereto, including moving, demolition or excavation connected therewith, or any provision contained in any contract relating to the planning or design of construction projects other than buildings by which the architect or professional engineer performing such work purports to indemnify or hold harmless another party to the contract against liability for damage arising out of bodily injury to persons or damage to property suffered in the course of the performance of the contract, caused by or resulting solely from the negligence of such other party, his agents or employees, is against public policy and is void and unenforceable.
This section shall apply to such contracts between an architect or professional engineer and any public body as defined in § 2.2-4301. Every provision contained in a contract between an architect or professional engineer and a public body relating to the planning or design of a building, structure or appurtenance thereto, including moving, demolition or excavation connected therewith, or relating to the planning or design of construction projects other than buildings by which the architect or professional engineer performing such work purports to indemnify or hold harmless the public body against liability is against public policy and is void and unenforceable. This section shall not be construed to alter or affect any provision in such a contract that purports to indemnify or hold harmless the public body against liability for damage arising out of the negligent acts, errors or omissions, recklessness or intentionally wrongful conduct of the architect or professional engineer in performance of the contract.
Any provision contained in any contract relating to the planning or design of a building, structure, or appurtenance thereto, including moving, demolition, or excavation connected therewith, or any provision contained in any contract relating to the planning or design of construction projects by which any party purports to impose a duty to defend on any other party to the contract, is against public policy and is void and unenforceable.
This section shall not affect the validity of any insurance contract, workers' compensation, or any agreement issued by an admitted insurer.
1995, c. 341; 2001, c. 670; 2020, c. 1015.

Structure Code of Virginia

Code of Virginia

Title 11 - Contracts

Chapter 1 - General Provisions

§ 11-1. Certain contracts void as to creditors and purchasers unless in writing; law governing validity of contracts creating security interests

§ 11-2. When written evidence required to maintain action

§ 11-2.01. Promise after bankruptcy must be in writing

§ 11-2.1. Goods sent by mail

§ 11-2.2. Unsolicited goods deemed gift to recipient

§ 11-2.3. Repealed

§ 11-2.4. Notice of possible filing of mechanics' lien required

§ 11-3. Sealed writings; writings not purporting to be sealed

§ 11-4. Sizes of type in printed contracts

§ 11-4.1. Certain indemnification provisions in construction contracts declared void

§ 11-4.1:1. Waiver of payment bond claims and contract claims; construction contracts

§ 11-4.2. Repealed

§ 11-4.3. When acceleration of payment or repossession of consumer goods not allowed

§ 11-4.4. Certain indemnification and duty to defend provisions in contracts with design professionals declared void

§ 11-4.5. Certain indemnification provisions in motor carrier transportation contracts declared void

§ 11-4.6. (Effective until January 1, 2023) Liability of contractor for wages of subcontractor's employees

§ 11-4.6. (Effective January 1, 2023) Liability of contractor for wages of subcontractor's employees

§ 11-5. Repealed

§ 11-7.1. Certain entities' authority to extend performance agreements

§ 11-8. Instruments executed by minors or surviving spouses to obtain benefits under certain federal legislation

§ 11-9. Writing payable to deceased person

§ 11-9.1. Repealed

§ 11-9.8. Construction of certain terms of offer to contract; use of experience modification factor prohibited