A. Except as provided in § 8.01-277, a person waives any objection to personal jurisdiction or defective process if he engages in conduct related to adjudicating the merits of the case, including, but not limited to:
1. Filing a demurrer, plea in bar, answer, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim;
2. Conducting discovery, except as provided in subsection B;
3. Seeking a ruling on the merits of the case; or
4. Actively participating in proceedings related to determining the merits of the case.
B. A person does not waive any objection to personal jurisdiction or defective process if he engages in conduct unrelated to adjudicating the merits of the case, including, but not limited to:
1. Requesting or agreeing to an extension of time;
2. Agreeing to a scheduling order;
3. Conducting discovery authorized by the court related to adjudicating the objection;
4. Observing or attending proceedings in the case;
5. Filing a motion to transfer venue pursuant to § 8.01-264 when such motion is filed contemporaneously with the objection; or
6. Removing the case to federal court.
2011, c. 710.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure
Chapter 7 - Civil Actions; Commencement, Pleadings, and Motions
§ 8.01-271. Compliance with Rules of Supreme Court
§ 8.01-271.01. Electronic filings in civil actions in circuit court
§ 8.01-271.1. Signing of pleadings, motions, and other papers; oral motions; sanctions
§ 8.01-273. Demurrer; form; grounds to be stated; amendment
§ 8.01-274. Motion to strike defensive pleading in equity and at law; exceptions abolished
§ 8.01-274.1. Motion or petition for rule to show cause for violation of court order
§ 8.01-275. When action or suit not to abate for want of form; what defects not to be regarded
§ 8.01-275.1. When service of process is timely
§ 8.01-277. Defective process; motion to quash; untimely service; motion to dismiss
§ 8.01-277.1. Objections to personal jurisdiction or defective process; what constitutes waiver
§ 8.01-280. Pleadings may be sworn to before clerk; affidavit of belief sufficient
§ 8.01-281. Pleading in alternative; separate trial on motion of party
§ 8.01-282. Motion to strike evidence