CODE OF VIRGINIA

WHO SHALL BE DEFENDANTS; WHEN AND HOW LANDLORD MAY DEFEND (§ 8.01-133)

The person actually occupying the premises and any person claiming title thereto
or claiming any interest therein adversely to the plaintiff may also, at the
discretion of the plaintiff, be named defendants in the action. If there be no
person actually occupying the premises adversely to the plaintiff, then the
action must be against some person exercising ownership thereon or claiming
title thereto or some interest therein at the commencement of suit. If a lessee
be made defendant at the suit of a party claiming against the title of his
landlord such landlord may appear and be made a defendant with or in place of
his lessee.

HISTORY: Code 1950, § 8-800; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.