{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/13.1-694.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/13.1-694.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/13.1-694.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/13.1-694.html"}],"law_id":346836,"edition_id":2,"section_id":346836,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-694","catch_line":"Duties of officers","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 13.1-45; 1956, c. 428; 1972, c. 606; 1975, c. 500; 1982, c. 372; 1985, c. 522; 2019, c. 734.","full_text":"A\n\nEach officer has the authority and shall perform the duties set forth in the bylaws or, to the extent consistent with the bylaws, the duties prescribed by the board of directors or by direction of an officer authorized by the board of directors to prescribe the duties of other officers.\n\nB\n\nIn discharging his duties, an officer who does not have knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted is entitled to rely on:\n\n1\n\nThe performance of properly delegated responsibilities by one or more employees of the corporation whom the officer believes in good faith to be reliable and competent in performing the responsibilities delegated; or\n\n2\n\nInformation, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by one or more employees of the corporation whom the officer believes in good faith to be reliable and competent in the matters presented or by legal counsel, public accountants, or other persons retained by the corporation as to matters involving skills or expertise the officer believes in good faith are matters (i) within the particular person&#8217;s professional or expert competence or (ii) as to which the particular person merits confidence.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1293621,"text":"Each officer has the authority and shall perform the duties set forth in the bylaws or, to the extent consistent with the bylaws, the duties prescribed by the board of directors or by direction of an officer authorized by the board of directors to prescribe the duties of other officers.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1293622,"text":"In discharging his duties, an officer who does not have knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted is entitled to rely on:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B1"},"2":{"id":1293623,"text":"The performance of properly delegated responsibilities by one or more employees of the corporation whom the officer believes in good faith to be reliable and competent in performing the responsibilities delegated; or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"3":{"id":1293624,"text":"Information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by one or more employees of the corporation whom the officer believes in good faith to be reliable and competent in the matters presented or by legal counsel, public accountants, or other persons retained by the corporation as to matters involving skills or expertise the officer believes in good faith are matters (i) within the particular person&#8217;s professional or expert competence or (ii) as to which the particular person merits confidence.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":49791,"edition_id":2,"name":"Directors and Officers","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":11,"parent_id":49780,"metadata":{"child_laws":27,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:15:20","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:11","permalink":{"id":1378171,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49791,"identifier":"9","token":"13.1\/9\/9","url":"\/13.1\/9\/9\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49780,"edition_id":2,"name":"Virginia Stock Corporation Act","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":12,"parent_id":49726,"metadata":{"child_laws":265,"child_structures":27},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:14:54","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:09","permalink":{"id":1377165,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49780,"identifier":"9","token":"13.1\/9","url":"\/13.1\/9\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49726,"edition_id":2,"name":"Corporations","identifier":"13.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":44,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":894,"child_structures":104},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:14:01","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:29:04","permalink":{"id":1374495,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49726,"identifier":"13.1","token":"13.1","url":"\/13.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":346811,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-673","catch_line":"Requirement for and duties of board of directors","url":"\/13.1-673\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-673","metadata":false},{"id":346812,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-674","catch_line":"Qualifications for directors or for nominees for director","url":"\/13.1-674\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-674","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":346813,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-675","catch_line":"Number and election of directors","url":"\/13.1-675\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-675","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"In Re Old Grind Co., Inc.","case_number":"19-70170","citation":"99 B.R. 317","date":"1989-05-25","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2012268\/in-re-old-grind-co-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 99 B.R. 317 (1989) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"United States Bankruptcy Court, W.D. Virginia"}}}},{"id":346814,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-676","catch_line":"Election of directors by certain classes or series of shares","url":"\/13.1-676\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-676","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":346815,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-677","catch_line":"Terms of directors generally","url":"\/13.1-677\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-677","metadata":false},{"id":346816,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-678","catch_line":"Staggered terms for directors","url":"\/13.1-678\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-678","metadata":false},{"id":346817,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-679","catch_line":"Resignation of directors","url":"\/13.1-679\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-679","metadata":false},{"id":346818,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-680","catch_line":"Removal of directors by shareholders","url":"\/13.1-680\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-680","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":346820,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-681","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/13.1-681\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-681","metadata":false},{"id":346819,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-681.1","catch_line":"Removal of directors by judicial proceeding","url":"\/13.1-681.1\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-681.1","metadata":false},{"id":346821,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-682","catch_line":"Vacancy on board of directors","url":"\/13.1-682\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-682","metadata":false},{"id":346822,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-683","catch_line":"Compensation of directors","url":"\/13.1-683\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-683","metadata":false},{"id":346823,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-684","catch_line":"Meetings of the board of directors","url":"\/13.1-684\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-684","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},{"id":346824,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-685","catch_line":"Action without meeting of board of directors","url":"\/13.1-685\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-685","metadata":false},{"id":346825,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-686","catch_line":"Notice of board of directors' meetings","url":"\/13.1-686\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-686","metadata":false},{"id":346826,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-687","catch_line":"Waiver of notice by director","url":"\/13.1-687\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-687","metadata":false},{"id":346827,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-688","catch_line":"Quorum and voting by directors","url":"\/13.1-688\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-688","metadata":false},{"id":346828,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-689","catch_line":"Committees","url":"\/13.1-689\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-689","metadata":false},{"id":346830,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-690","catch_line":"General standards of conduct for director","url":"\/13.1-690\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-690","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":" .\u202f.\u202f. Richmond A. Dellastatious, and Frank Romano v. Donald F. .\u202f.\u202f. ","case_number":"00-1577","citation":"242 F.3d 191","date":"2001-02-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/772338\/richmond-a-dellastatious-and-frank-romano-v-donald-f-williams-ray\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 242 F.3d 191 (4th Cir. 2001) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"1":{"name":"Dellastatious v. Williams","case_number":"00-1577, 00-1595","citation":"242 F.3d 191","date":"2001-02-22","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2967340\/dellastatious-v-williams\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"2":{"name":"Remora Investments, L.L.C. v. Orr","case_number":"Record 080313.","citation":"673 S.E.2d 845","date":"2009-02-27","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1058372\/remora-investments-llc-v-orr\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 673 S.E.2d 845 (2009) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"3":{"name":"Willard v. Moneta Building Supply, Inc.","case_number":"Record 981836","citation":"515 S.E.2d 277","date":"1999-06-11","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1059739\/willard-v-moneta-building-supply-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. JUSTICE KOONTZ, with whom JUSTICE HASSELL .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"4":{"name":"Wlr Foods, Inc. v. Tyson Foods, Inc.","case_number":"Civ. A. No. 94-0012-H","citation":"155 F.R.D. 136","date":"1994-04-25","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9045584\/wlr-foods-inc-v-tyson-foods-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. MEMORANDUM OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, W.D. Virginia"},"5":{"name":"Berman v. Physical Medicine Associates, Ltd.","case_number":"99-1043","citation":"225 F.3d 429","date":"2000-08-23","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2967261\/berman-v-physical-medicine-associates-ltd\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge NIEMEYER wrote the opinion, in which Judge MICHAEL and Judge .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"6":{"name":"Matson v. Alpert (In re LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc.)","case_number":"Bankruptcy No. 08-35994; Adversary No. 11-03168","citation":"470 B.R. 759","date":"2012-03-01","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8522215\/matson-v-alpert-in-re-landamerica-financial-group-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. MEMORANDUM OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Virginia"},"7":{"name":"WLR Foods, Inc. v. Tyson Foods, Inc.","case_number":"Civ. A. 94-012-H","citation":"857 F. Supp. 492","date":"1994-06-01","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2008780\/wlr-foods-inc-v-tyson-foods-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 857 F.Supp. 492 (1994) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, W.D. Virginia"},"8":{"name":"Simmons v. Miller","case_number":"Record 000785","citation":"544 S.E.2d 666","date":"2001-04-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1059483\/simmons-v-miller\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 544 S.E.2d 666 (2001) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"},"9":{"name":"Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner v. Matyiko","case_number":"Record 960433","citation":"481 S.E.2d 468","date":"1997-01-10","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1060097\/commonwealth-transportation-commissioner-v-matyiko\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 481 S.E.2d 468 (1997) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":346829,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-690.1","catch_line":"Director of open-end management investment company deemed disinterested","url":"\/13.1-690.1\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-690.1","metadata":false},{"id":346832,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-691","catch_line":"Director conflict of interests","url":"\/13.1-691\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-691","metadata":false},{"id":346831,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-691.1","catch_line":"Business opportunities","url":"\/13.1-691.1\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-691.1","metadata":false},{"id":346834,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-692","catch_line":"Liability for unlawful distributions","url":"\/13.1-692\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-692","metadata":false},{"id":346833,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-692.1","catch_line":"Limitation on liability of officers and directors; exception","url":"\/13.1-692.1\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-692.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Nos. 91-1873, 91-1874","case_number":"332","citation":"979 F.2d 332","date":"1993-04-07","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/594712\/nos-91-1873-91-1874\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 979 F.2d 332 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"1":{"name":"Sandberg v. Virginia Bankshares, Inc.","case_number":"Nos. 91-1873, 91-1874","citation":"979 F.2d 332","date":"1992-10-21","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/9012782\/sandberg-v-virginia-bankshares-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"2":{"name":"Sandberg v. Virginia Bankshares, Inc.","case_number":"Nos. 88-2658 to 88-2660, 88-2662 to 88-2664, 89-2903, 89-2904","citation":"891 F.2d 1112","date":"1989-12-15","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8984088\/sandberg-v-virginia-bankshares-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. K.K. HALL, Circuit Judge: .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"3":{"name":"Matson v. Alpert (In re LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc.)","case_number":"Bankruptcy No. 08-35994; Adversary No. 11-03168","citation":"470 B.R. 759","date":"2012-03-01","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8522215\/matson-v-alpert-in-re-landamerica-financial-group-inc\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. MEMORANDUM OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"United States Bankruptcy Court, E.D. Virginia"},"4":{"name":"Commonwealth Transportation Commissioner v. Matyiko","case_number":"Record 960433","citation":"481 S.E.2d 468","date":"1997-01-10","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1060097\/commonwealth-transportation-commissioner-v-matyiko\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 481 S.E.2d 468 (1997) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":346835,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-693","catch_line":"Required officers","url":"\/13.1-693\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-693","metadata":false},{"id":346836,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-694","catch_line":"Duties of officers","url":"\/13.1-694\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-694","metadata":false},{"id":346837,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-695","catch_line":"Resignation and removal of officers","url":"\/13.1-695\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-695","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}}],"previous_section":{"id":346835,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-693","catch_line":"Required officers","url":"\/13.1-693\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-693","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":346837,"structure_id":49791,"section_number":"13.1-695","catch_line":"Resignation and removal of officers","url":"\/13.1-695\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-695","metadata":{"court_decisions":""}},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/13.1-694\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1956, chapter 428; in 1972, chapter 606; in 1975, chapter 500; in 1982, chapter 372; in 1985, chapter 522; in 2019, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?191+ful+CHAP0734\">734<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1378273,"object_type":"law","relational_id":346836,"identifier":"13.1-694","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-694","url":"\/13.1-694\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/13.1-694\/","token":"13.1\/9\/9\/13.1-694","dublin_core":{"Title":"Duties of officers","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 13.1-694","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> Each officer has the authority and shall perform the duties set forth in the bylaws or, to the extent consistent with the bylaws, the duties prescribed by the board of directors or by direction of an officer authorized by the board of directors to prescribe the duties of other officers. <a id=\"paragraph-1293621\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/13.1-694\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> In discharging his duties, an officer who does not have knowledge that makes reliance unwarranted is entitled to rely on: <a id=\"paragraph-1293622\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/13.1-694\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B1\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">1.<\/span> The performance of properly delegated responsibilities by one or more employees of the <span class=\"dictionary\">corporation<\/span> whom the officer believes in good faith to be reliable and competent in performing the responsibilities delegated; or <a id=\"paragraph-1293623\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/13.1-694\/#B1\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B2\" class=\"indent-1\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">2.<\/span> Information, <span class=\"dictionary\">opinions<\/span>, reports or statements, including financial statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by one or more employees of the <span class=\"dictionary\">corporation<\/span> whom the officer believes in good faith to be reliable and competent in the matters presented or by legal <span class=\"dictionary\">counsel<\/span>, public accountants, or other <span class=\"dictionary\">persons<\/span> retained by the <span class=\"dictionary\">corporation<\/span> as to matters involving skills or expertise the officer believes in good faith are matters (i) within the particular <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span>&#8217;s professional or expert competence or (ii) as to which the particular <span class=\"dictionary\">person<\/span> merits confidence. <a id=\"paragraph-1293624\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/13.1-694\/#B2\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDUTIES OF OFFICERS (\u00a7 13.1-694)\n\nA. Each officer has the authority and shall perform the duties set forth in the\nbylaws or, to the extent consistent with the bylaws, the duties prescribed by\nthe board of directors or by direction of an officer authorized by the board of\ndirectors to prescribe the duties of other officers.\n\nB. In discharging his duties, an officer who does not have knowledge that makes\nreliance unwarranted is entitled to rely on:\n\n   1. The performance of properly delegated responsibilities by one or more\n   employees of the corporation whom the officer believes in good faith to be\n   reliable and competent in performing the responsibilities delegated; or\n\n   2. Information, opinions, reports or statements, including financial\n   statements and other financial data, prepared or presented by one or more\n   employees of the corporation whom the officer believes in good faith to be\n   reliable and competent in the matters presented or by legal counsel, public\n   accountants, or other persons retained by the corporation as to matters\n   involving skills or expertise the officer believes in good faith are matters\n   (i) within the particular person&#8217;s professional or expert competence or\n   (ii) as to which the particular person merits confidence.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 13.1-45; 1956, c. 428; 1972, c. 606; 1975, c. 500; 1982,\nc. 372; 1985, c. 522; 2019, c. 734.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}