Code of Virginia
Chapter 5.1 - Virginia Fair Housing Law
§ 36-96.16. Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board

A. Not later than thirty days after a charge is referred by the Board to the Attorney General under § 36-96.14, the Attorney General shall commence and maintain a civil action seeking relief on behalf of the complainant in the circuit court for the city, county, or town in which the unlawful discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur.
B. Any aggrieved person with respect to the issues to be determined in a civil action pursuant to subsection A may intervene as of right.
C. In a civil action under this section, if the court or jury finds that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court or jury may grant, as relief, any relief which a court could grant with respect to such discriminatory housing practice in a civil action under § 36-96.18. Any relief so granted that would accrue to an aggrieved person under § 36-96.18 shall also accrue to the aggrieved person in a civil action under this section. If monetary relief is sought for the benefit of an aggrieved person who does not intervene in the civil action, the court shall not award such relief if that aggrieved person has not complied with discovery orders entered by the court in the course of the action brought under this section.
D. In any court proceeding arising under this section, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
1991, c. 557; 1994, c. 814.

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