{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/20-171.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/20-171.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/20-171.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/20-171.html"}],"law_id":353615,"edition_id":2,"section_id":353615,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-171","catch_line":"Beginning and concluding collaborative law process","history":"2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 346.","full_text":"A\n\nA collaborative law process begins when the parties sign a collaborative law participation agreement.\n\nB\n\nA tribunal shall not order a party to participate in a collaborative law process over such party’s objection.\n\nC\n\nA collaborative law process is concluded by a:\n\n1\n\nResolution of a collaborative matter as evidenced by a signed record;\n\n2\n\nResolution of a part of the collaborative matter, evidenced by a signed record, in which the parties agree that the remaining parts of the matter will not be resolved in the process; or\n\n3\n\nTermination of the process.\n\nD\n\nA collaborative law process terminates:\n\n1\n\nWhen a party gives notice to his collaborative lawyer and to other parties in a record that the process is ended;\n\n2\n\nWhen a party:\n\t\t\t\ta. Begins a proceeding related to a collaborative matter without the agreement of all parties; or\n\n\t\t\t\tb. In a pending proceeding related to the matter, (i) initiates a pleading, motion, order to show cause, or request for a conference with the tribunal; (ii) requests that the proceeding be put on the tribunal’s active docket; or (iii) takes similar action requiring notice to be sent to the parties; or\n\n3\n\nExcept as otherwise provided by subsection G, when a party discharges a collaborative lawyer or a collaborative lawyer withdraws from further representation of a party.\n\nE\n\nA party’s collaborative lawyer shall give prompt notice to all other parties in a record of a discharge or withdrawal.\n\nF\n\nA party may terminate a collaborative law process with or without cause.\n\nG\n\nNotwithstanding the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer, a collaborative law process continues if, not later than 30 days after the date that the notice of the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer required by subsection E is sent to the parties:\n\n1\n\nThe unrepresented party engages a successor collaborative lawyer; and\n\n2\n\nIn a signed record:\n\t\t\t\ta. The parties consent to continue the process by reaffirming the collaborative law participation agreement;\n\n\t\t\t\tb. The collaborative law participation agreement is amended to identify the successor collaborative lawyer; and\n\n\t\t\t\tc. The successor collaborative lawyer confirms the lawyer’s representation of a party in the collaborative process.\n\nH\n\nA collaborative law process does not conclude if, with the consent of the parties, a party requests a tribunal to approve a resolution of the collaborative matter or any part of such matter as evidenced by a signed record, including any orders necessary to effectuate the terms of an agreement reached in the collaborative law process and evidenced in a signed record.\n\nI\n\nA collaborative law participation agreement may provide additional methods of concluding a collaborative law process.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1317448,"text":"A collaborative law process begins when the parties sign a collaborative law participation agreement.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":1317449,"text":"A tribunal shall not order a party to participate in a collaborative law process over such party’s objection.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":1317450,"text":"A collaborative law process is concluded by a:","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C1"},"3":{"id":1317451,"text":"Resolution of a collaborative matter as evidenced by a signed record;","type":"section","prefixes":["C","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"C1","prefix_anchor":"C1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"C2"},"4":{"id":1317452,"text":"Resolution of a part of the collaborative matter, evidenced by a signed record, in which the parties agree that the remaining parts of the matter will not be resolved in the process; or","type":"section","prefixes":["C","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"C2","prefix_anchor":"C2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C1","next_prefix":"C3"},"5":{"id":1317453,"text":"Termination of the process.","type":"section","prefixes":["C","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"C3","prefix_anchor":"C3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"C2","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":1317454,"text":"A collaborative law process terminates:","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C3","next_prefix":"D1"},"7":{"id":1317455,"text":"When a party gives notice to his collaborative lawyer and to other parties in a record that the process is ended;","type":"section","prefixes":["D","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"D1","prefix_anchor":"D1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"D2"},"8":{"id":1317456,"text":"When a party:\n\t\t\t\ta. Begins a proceeding related to a collaborative matter without the agreement of all parties; or\t\t\t\tb. In a pending proceeding related to the matter, (i) initiates a pleading, motion, order to show cause, or request for a conference with the tribunal; (ii) requests that the proceeding be put on the tribunal’s active docket; or (iii) takes similar action requiring notice to be sent to the parties; or","type":"section","prefixes":["D","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"D2","prefix_anchor":"D2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D1","next_prefix":"D3"},"9":{"id":1317457,"text":"Except as otherwise provided by subsection G, when a party discharges a collaborative lawyer or a collaborative lawyer withdraws from further representation of a party.","type":"section","prefixes":["D","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"D3","prefix_anchor":"D3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"D2","next_prefix":"E"},"10":{"id":1317458,"text":"A party’s collaborative lawyer shall give prompt notice to all other parties in a record of a discharge or withdrawal.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D3","next_prefix":"F"},"11":{"id":1317459,"text":"A party may terminate a collaborative law process with or without cause.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E","next_prefix":"G"},"12":{"id":1317460,"text":"Notwithstanding the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer, a collaborative law process continues if, not later than 30 days after the date that the notice of the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer required by subsection E is sent to the parties:","type":"section","prefixes":["G"],"prefix":"G","entire_prefix":"G","prefix_anchor":"G","level":1,"prior_prefix":"F","next_prefix":"G1"},"13":{"id":1317461,"text":"The unrepresented party engages a successor collaborative lawyer; and","type":"section","prefixes":["G","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"G1","prefix_anchor":"G1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G","next_prefix":"G2"},"14":{"id":1317462,"text":"In a signed record:\n\t\t\t\ta. The parties consent to continue the process by reaffirming the collaborative law participation agreement;\t\t\t\tb. The collaborative law participation agreement is amended to identify the successor collaborative lawyer; and\t\t\t\tc. The successor collaborative lawyer confirms the lawyer’s representation of a party in the collaborative process.","type":"section","prefixes":["G","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"G2","prefix_anchor":"G2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"G1","next_prefix":"H"},"15":{"id":1317463,"text":"A collaborative law process does not conclude if, with the consent of the parties, a party requests a tribunal to approve a resolution of the collaborative matter or any part of such matter as evidenced by a signed record, including any orders necessary to effectuate the terms of an agreement reached in the collaborative law process and evidenced in a signed record.","type":"section","prefixes":["H"],"prefix":"H","entire_prefix":"H","prefix_anchor":"H","level":1,"prior_prefix":"G2","next_prefix":"I"},"16":{"id":1317464,"text":"A collaborative law participation agreement may provide additional methods of concluding a collaborative law process.","type":"section","prefixes":["I"],"prefix":"I","entire_prefix":"I","prefix_anchor":"I","level":1,"prior_prefix":"H"}},"ancestry":[{"id":50634,"edition_id":2,"name":"Uniform Collaborative Law Act","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":13,"parent_id":50619,"metadata":{"child_laws":20,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:24","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:53","permalink":{"id":1405095,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50634,"identifier":"11","token":"20\/11","url":"\/20\/11\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50619,"edition_id":2,"name":"Domestic Relations","identifier":"20","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":56,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":329,"child_structures":36},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:30:08","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:49","permalink":{"id":1405077,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50619,"identifier":"20","token":"20","url":"\/20\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":353611,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-168","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/20-168\/","token":"20\/11\/20-168","metadata":false},{"id":353612,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-169","catch_line":"Applicability","url":"\/20-169\/","token":"20\/11\/20-169","metadata":false},{"id":353614,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-170","catch_line":"Collaborative law participation agreement; requirements","url":"\/20-170\/","token":"20\/11\/20-170","metadata":false},{"id":353615,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-171","catch_line":"Beginning and concluding collaborative law process","url":"\/20-171\/","token":"20\/11\/20-171","metadata":false},{"id":353616,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-172","catch_line":"Proceedings pending before tribunal; status report","url":"\/20-172\/","token":"20\/11\/20-172","metadata":false},{"id":353617,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-173","catch_line":"Emergency order","url":"\/20-173\/","token":"20\/11\/20-173","metadata":false},{"id":353618,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-174","catch_line":"Affirmation of agreement by tribunal","url":"\/20-174\/","token":"20\/11\/20-174","metadata":false},{"id":353619,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-175","catch_line":"Disqualification of collaborative lawyer and lawyers in associated law firm; exception","url":"\/20-175\/","token":"20\/11\/20-175","metadata":false},{"id":353620,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-176","catch_line":"Low-income parties; exception from imputed disqualification","url":"\/20-176\/","token":"20\/11\/20-176","metadata":false},{"id":353621,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-177","catch_line":"Disclosure of information","url":"\/20-177\/","token":"20\/11\/20-177","metadata":false},{"id":353622,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-178","catch_line":"Standards of professional responsibility and mandatory reporting not affected","url":"\/20-178\/","token":"20\/11\/20-178","metadata":false},{"id":353623,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-179","catch_line":"Appropriateness of collaborative law process","url":"\/20-179\/","token":"20\/11\/20-179","metadata":false},{"id":353624,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-180","catch_line":"History of family abuse","url":"\/20-180\/","token":"20\/11\/20-180","metadata":false},{"id":353625,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-181","catch_line":"Confidentiality of collaborative law communication","url":"\/20-181\/","token":"20\/11\/20-181","metadata":false},{"id":353626,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-182","catch_line":"Privilege against disclosure of collaborative law communication; admissibility; discovery","url":"\/20-182\/","token":"20\/11\/20-182","metadata":false},{"id":353627,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-183","catch_line":"Waiver and preclusion of privilege","url":"\/20-183\/","token":"20\/11\/20-183","metadata":false},{"id":353628,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-184","catch_line":"Limits of privilege","url":"\/20-184\/","token":"20\/11\/20-184","metadata":false},{"id":353629,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-185","catch_line":"Authority of tribunal in case of noncompliance","url":"\/20-185\/","token":"20\/11\/20-185","metadata":false},{"id":353630,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-186","catch_line":"Uniformity of application and construction","url":"\/20-186\/","token":"20\/11\/20-186","metadata":false},{"id":353631,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-187","catch_line":"Relation to Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act","url":"\/20-187\/","token":"20\/11\/20-187","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":353614,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-170","catch_line":"Collaborative law participation agreement; requirements","url":"\/20-170\/","token":"20\/11\/20-170","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":353616,"structure_id":50634,"section_number":"20-172","catch_line":"Proceedings pending before tribunal; status report","url":"\/20-172\/","token":"20\/11\/20-172","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/20-171\/","history_text":false,"references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1405109,"object_type":"law","relational_id":353615,"identifier":"20-171","token":"20\/11\/20-171","url":"\/20-171\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/20-171\/","token":"20\/11\/20-171","dublin_core":{"Title":"Beginning and concluding collaborative law process","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 20-171","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> A collaborative law process<\/span> begins when the parties sign a collaborative law participation agreement<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> A tribunal<\/span> shall not order<\/span> a party<\/span> to participate in a collaborative law process<\/span> over such party<\/span>’s objection. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> A collaborative law process<\/span> is concluded by a: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Resolution of a collaborative matter<\/span> as evidenced by a signed record<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Resolution of a part of the collaborative matter<\/span>, evidenced by a signed record<\/span>, in which the parties agree that the remaining parts of the matter will not be resolved in the process; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Termination of the process. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> A collaborative law process<\/span> terminates: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> When a party<\/span> gives notice to his collaborative lawyer<\/span> and to other parties in a record<\/span> that the process is ended; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> When a party<\/span>:\n\t\t\t\ta. Begins a proceeding<\/span> related to a collaborative matter<\/span> without the agreement of all parties; or

\t\t\t\tb. In a pending proceeding<\/span> related to the matter, (i) initiates a pleading, motion<\/span>, order<\/span> to show cause, or request for a conference with the tribunal<\/span>; (ii) requests that the proceeding<\/span> be put on the tribunal<\/span>’s active docket<\/span>; or (iii) takes similar action requiring notice to be sent to the parties; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided by subsection G, when a party<\/span> discharges a collaborative lawyer<\/span> or a collaborative lawyer<\/span> withdraws from further representation of a party<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> A party<\/span>’s collaborative lawyer<\/span> shall give prompt notice to all other parties in a record<\/span> of a discharge or withdrawal. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> A party<\/span> may terminate a collaborative law process<\/span> with or without cause. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

G.<\/span> Notwithstanding the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer<\/span>, a collaborative law process<\/span> continues if, not later than 30 days after the date that the notice of the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer<\/span> required by subsection E is sent to the parties: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The unrepresented party<\/span> engages a successor collaborative lawyer<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In a signed record<\/span>:\n\t\t\t\ta. The parties consent to continue the process by reaffirming the collaborative law participation agreement<\/span>;

\t\t\t\tb. The collaborative law participation agreement<\/span> is amended to identify the successor collaborative lawyer<\/span>; and

\t\t\t\tc. The successor collaborative lawyer<\/span> confirms the lawyer’s representation of a party<\/span> in the collaborative process. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

H.<\/span> A collaborative law process<\/span> does not conclude if, with the consent of the parties, a party<\/span> requests a tribunal<\/span> to approve a resolution of the collaborative matter or any part of such matter as evidenced by a signed record<\/span>, including any orders<\/span> necessary to effectuate the terms of an agreement reached in the collaborative law process<\/span> and evidenced in a signed record<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

I.<\/span> A collaborative law participation agreement<\/span> may provide additional methods of concluding a collaborative law process<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nBEGINNING AND CONCLUDING COLLABORATIVE LAW PROCESS (\u00a7 20-171)\n\nA. A collaborative law process begins when the parties sign a collaborative law\nparticipation agreement.\n\nB. A tribunal shall not order a party to participate in a collaborative law\nprocess over such party’s objection.\n\nC. A collaborative law process is concluded by a:\n\n 1. Resolution of a collaborative matter as evidenced by a signed record;\n\n 2. Resolution of a part of the collaborative matter, evidenced by a signed\n record, in which the parties agree that the remaining parts of the matter will\n not be resolved in the process; or\n\n 3. Termination of the process.\n\nD. A collaborative law process terminates:\n\n 1. When a party gives notice to his collaborative lawyer and to other parties\n in a record that the process is ended;\n\n 2. When a party:\n \t\t\t\ta. Begins a proceeding related to a collaborative matter without the\n agreement of all parties; or\t\t\t\tb. In a pending proceeding related to the\n matter, (i) initiates a pleading, motion, order to show cause, or request for\n a conference with the tribunal; (ii) requests that the proceeding be put on\n the tribunal’s active docket; or (iii) takes similar action requiring\n notice to be sent to the parties; or\n\n 3. Except as otherwise provided by subsection G, when a party discharges a\n collaborative lawyer or a collaborative lawyer withdraws from further\n representation of a party.\n\nE. A party’s collaborative lawyer shall give prompt notice to all other\nparties in a record of a discharge or withdrawal.\n\nF. A party may terminate a collaborative law process with or without cause.\n\nG. Notwithstanding the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer, a\ncollaborative law process continues if, not later than 30 days after the date\nthat the notice of the discharge or withdrawal of a collaborative lawyer\nrequired by subsection E is sent to the parties:\n\n 1. The unrepresented party engages a successor collaborative lawyer; and\n\n 2. In a signed record:\n \t\t\t\ta. The parties consent to continue the process by reaffirming the\n collaborative law participation agreement;\t\t\t\tb. The collaborative law\n participation agreement is amended to identify the successor collaborative\n lawyer; and\t\t\t\tc. The successor collaborative lawyer confirms the\n lawyer’s representation of a party in the collaborative process.\n\nH. A collaborative law process does not conclude if, with the consent of the\nparties, a party requests a tribunal to approve a resolution of the\ncollaborative matter or any part of such matter as evidenced by a signed record,\nincluding any orders necessary to effectuate the terms of an agreement reached\nin the collaborative law process and evidenced in a signed record.\n\nI. A collaborative law participation agreement may provide additional methods of\nconcluding a collaborative law process.\n\nHISTORY: 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 346.","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"}}