78276516.1-122.3Virginia Decodedhttps://vacode.org2016Courts Not Of RecordVenue, Jurisdiction And Procedure In Civil MattersSmall Claims CourtActions; how commenced; notice; continuances; pleadings1988, c. 799; 1990, c. 564; 2002, c. 704; 2006, c. 141.http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/16.1-122.3//16.1-122.3/16.1/6/5/16.1-122.3

Actions in the small claims court shall be commenced by the filing of a small claims civil warrant by a plaintiff.section

A

AA1

section

B

BB1

Upon the filing of the small claims civil warrant in small claims court, the court shall cause notice of process to be served upon the defendant. Notice of process shall consist of a copy of the warrant and shall be served by the method used in general district court. If applicable, the defendant shall be served with a copy of the preprinted information identified in subsection B of this section attached to the copy of the civil warrant.section

C

CC1

All forms required by this article shall be prescribed by the Supreme Court of Virginia.section

D

DD1

The trial shall be conducted on the first return date. However, by consent of all parties or upon order of the court, the time for trial may be changed from the time set for the first return. A continuance shall be granted to either the plaintiff or defendant only upon good cause shown.section

E

EE1

There shall be no pleadings in small claims court actions other than the warrant and answer, grounds of defense and counterclaims not to exceed $ 5,000.section

F

FF1