{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/59.1-501.6.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/59.1-501.6.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/59.1-501.6.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/59.1-501.6.html"}],"law_id":373231,"edition_id":2,"section_id":373231,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.6","catch_line":"Rule of construction","history":"2000, cc. 101, 996; 2004, c. 794.","full_text":"a\n\nThis chapter must be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies to:\n\n1\n\nsupport and facilitate the realization of the full potential of computer information transactions;\n\n2\n\nclarify the law governing computer information transactions;\n\n3\n\nenable expanding commercial practice in computer information transactions by commercial usage and agreement of the parties;\n\n4\n\npromote uniformity of the law with respect to the subject matter of this chapter among States that enact it; and\n\n5\n\npermit the continued expansion of commercial practices in the excluded transactions through custom, usage and agreement of the parties.\n\nb\n\nExcept as otherwise provided in § 59.1-501.15, the use of mandatory language or the absence of a phrase such as “unless otherwise agreed” in a provision of this chapter does not preclude the parties from varying the effect of the provision by agreement.\n\nc\n\nThe fact that a provision of this chapter imposes a condition for a result does not by itself mean that the absence of that condition yields a different result.\n\nd\n\nTo be enforceable, a term need not be conspicuous, negotiated, or expressly assented or agreed to, unless this chapter expressly so requires.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1392601,"text":"This chapter must be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies to:","type":"section","prefixes":["a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"a","prefix_anchor":"a","level":1,"next_prefix":"a1"},"1":{"id":1392602,"text":"support and facilitate the realization of the full potential of computer information transactions;","type":"section","prefixes":["a","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"a1","prefix_anchor":"a1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"a","next_prefix":"a2"},"2":{"id":1392603,"text":"clarify the law governing computer information transactions;","type":"section","prefixes":["a","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"a2","prefix_anchor":"a2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"a1","next_prefix":"a3"},"3":{"id":1392604,"text":"enable expanding commercial practice in computer information transactions by commercial usage and agreement of the parties;","type":"section","prefixes":["a","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"a3","prefix_anchor":"a3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"a2","next_prefix":"a4"},"4":{"id":1392605,"text":"promote uniformity of the law with respect to the subject matter of this chapter among States that enact it; and","type":"section","prefixes":["a","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"a4","prefix_anchor":"a4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"a3","next_prefix":"a5"},"5":{"id":1392606,"text":"permit the continued expansion of commercial practices in the excluded transactions through custom, usage and agreement of the parties.","type":"section","prefixes":["a","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"a5","prefix_anchor":"a5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"a4","next_prefix":"b"},"6":{"id":1392607,"text":"Except as otherwise provided in § 59.1-501.15, the use of mandatory language or the absence of a phrase such as “unless otherwise agreed” in a provision of this chapter does not preclude the parties from varying the effect of the provision by agreement.","type":"section","prefixes":["b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"b","prefix_anchor":"b","level":1,"prior_prefix":"a5","next_prefix":"c"},"7":{"id":1392608,"text":"The fact that a provision of this chapter imposes a condition for a result does not by itself mean that the absence of that condition yields a different result.","type":"section","prefixes":["c"],"prefix":"c","entire_prefix":"c","prefix_anchor":"c","level":1,"prior_prefix":"b","next_prefix":"d"},"8":{"id":1392609,"text":"To be enforceable, a term need not be conspicuous, negotiated, or expressly assented or agreed to, unless this chapter expressly so requires.","type":"section","prefixes":["d"],"prefix":"d","entire_prefix":"d","prefix_anchor":"d","level":1,"prior_prefix":"c"}},"ancestry":[{"id":53120,"edition_id":2,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":53119,"metadata":{"child_laws":21,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:11:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:34","permalink":{"id":1488889,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53120,"identifier":"1","token":"59.1\/43\/1","url":"\/59.1\/43\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53119,"edition_id":2,"name":"Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act","identifier":"43","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":80,"parent_id":53010,"metadata":{"child_laws":121,"child_structures":9},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:11:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:34","permalink":{"id":1488887,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53119,"identifier":"43","token":"59.1\/43","url":"\/59.1\/43\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":53010,"edition_id":2,"name":"Trade and Commerce","identifier":"59.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":127,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":861,"child_structures":141},"date_created":"2026-08-02 03:09:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:36:19","permalink":{"id":1486523,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":53010,"identifier":"59.1","token":"59.1","url":"\/59.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":373214,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.1","catch_line":"Title","url":"\/59.1-501.1\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.1","metadata":false},{"id":373215,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.10","catch_line":"Contractual choice of forum","url":"\/59.1-501.10\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.10","metadata":false},{"id":373216,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.11","catch_line":"Unconscionable contract or term","url":"\/59.1-501.11\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.11","metadata":false},{"id":373217,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.12","catch_line":"Manifesting assent","url":"\/59.1-501.12\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.12","metadata":false},{"id":373218,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.13","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/59.1-501.13\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.13","metadata":false},{"id":373219,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.13:1","catch_line":"Opportunity to review","url":"\/59.1-501.13_1\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.13_1","metadata":false},{"id":373220,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.14","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/59.1-501.14\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.14","metadata":false},{"id":373221,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.14:1","catch_line":"Pretransaction disclosures in Internet-type transactions","url":"\/59.1-501.14_1\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.14_1","metadata":false},{"id":373222,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.15","catch_line":"Variation by agreement; commercial practice","url":"\/59.1-501.15\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.15","metadata":false},{"id":373223,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.16","catch_line":"Supplemental principles; good faith; commercial practice","url":"\/59.1-501.16\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.16","metadata":false},{"id":373224,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.17","catch_line":"Decision for court; legal consequences; reasonable time; reason to know","url":"\/59.1-501.17\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.17","metadata":false},{"id":373225,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.18","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/59.1-501.18\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.18","metadata":false},{"id":373226,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.2","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/59.1-501.2\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.2","metadata":false},{"id":373227,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.3","catch_line":"Scope; exclusions","url":"\/59.1-501.3\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.3","metadata":false},{"id":373228,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.4","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/59.1-501.4\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.4","metadata":false},{"id":373229,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.4:1","catch_line":"Consumer protection law governs","url":"\/59.1-501.4_1\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.4_1","metadata":false},{"id":373230,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.5","catch_line":"Relation to federal law; fundamental public policy; transactions subject to other state law","url":"\/59.1-501.5\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.5","metadata":false},{"id":373231,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.6","catch_line":"Rule of construction","url":"\/59.1-501.6\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.6","metadata":false},{"id":373232,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.7","catch_line":"Legal recognition of electronic record and authentication; use of electronic agents","url":"\/59.1-501.7\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.7","metadata":false},{"id":373233,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.8","catch_line":"Proof and effect of authentication","url":"\/59.1-501.8\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.8","metadata":false},{"id":373234,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.9","catch_line":"Choice of law","url":"\/59.1-501.9\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":373230,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.5","catch_line":"Relation to federal law; fundamental public policy; transactions subject to other state law","url":"\/59.1-501.5\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.5","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":373232,"structure_id":53120,"section_number":"59.1-501.7","catch_line":"Legal recognition of electronic record and authentication; use of electronic agents","url":"\/59.1-501.7\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.7","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/59.1-501.6\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2000. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 101<\/a> and 996<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. 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. That modification is as follows: in 2004, chapter 794<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":373222,"section_number":"59.1-501.15","catch_line":"Variation by agreement; commercial practice","order_by":null,"url":"\/59.1-501.15\/"}],"permalink":{"id":1488959,"object_type":"law","relational_id":373231,"identifier":"59.1-501.6","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.6","url":"\/59.1-501.6\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/59.1-501.6\/","token":"59.1\/43\/1\/59.1-501.6","dublin_core":{"Title":"Rule of construction","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 59.1-501.6","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> This chapter must be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> support and facilitate the realization of the full potential of computer information transactions; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> clarify the law<\/span> governing computer information transactions; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> enable expanding commercial practice in computer information transactions by commercial usage and agreement of the parties; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> promote uniformity of the law<\/span> with respect to the subject matter of this chapter among States that enact it; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> permit the continued expansion of commercial practices in the excluded transactions through custom, usage and agreement of the parties. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> Except as otherwise provided in § 59.1-501.15<\/a>, the use of mandatory language or the absence of a phrase such as “unless otherwise agreed” in a provision of this chapter does not preclude the parties from varying the effect of the provision by agreement. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

c.<\/span> The fact<\/span> that a provision of this chapter imposes a condition for a result does not by itself mean that the absence of that condition yields a different result. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

d.<\/span> To be enforceable, a term need not be conspicuous, negotiated, or expressly assented or agreed to, unless this chapter expressly so requires. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nRULE OF CONSTRUCTION (\u00a7 59.1-501.6)\n\na. This chapter must be liberally construed and applied to promote its\nunderlying purposes and policies to:\n\n 1. support and facilitate the realization of the full potential of computer\n information transactions;\n\n 2. clarify the law governing computer information transactions;\n\n 3. enable expanding commercial practice in computer information transactions\n by commercial usage and agreement of the parties;\n\n 4. promote uniformity of the law with respect to the subject matter of this\n chapter among States that enact it; and\n\n 5. permit the continued expansion of commercial practices in the excluded\n transactions through custom, usage and agreement of the parties.\n\nb. Except as otherwise provided in § 59.1-501.15, the use of mandatory\nlanguage or the absence of a phrase such as “unless otherwise\nagreed” in a provision of this chapter does not preclude the parties from\nvarying the effect of the provision by agreement.\n\nc. The fact that a provision of this chapter imposes a condition for a result\ndoes not by itself mean that the absence of that condition yields a different\nresult.\n\nd. To be enforceable, a term need not be conspicuous, negotiated, or expressly\nassented or agreed to, unless this chapter expressly so requires.\n\nHISTORY: 2000, cc. 101, 996; 2004, c. 794.","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"}}