# Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-88.03: Pleadings and other papers by certain parties not represented by attorneys > Virginia · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-88.03 ## Section - **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-88.03 - **Heading:** Pleadings and other papers by certain parties not represented by attorneys - **Jurisdiction:** Virginia - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 16.1 / Chapter 6 / Article 3 / Section 16.1-88.03 ## Text A. Any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, professional corporation, professional limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, registered limited liability limited partnership or business trust, the Fort Monroe Authority, and the Department of Military Affairs, when the amount claimed in any civil action pursuant to subdivision (1) or (3) of § 16.1-77 does not exceed the jurisdictional amounts authorized in such subsections, exclusive of interest, may prepare, execute, file, and have served on other parties in any proceeding in a general district court a warrant in debt, motion for judgment, warrant in detinue, distress warrant, summons for unlawful detainer, counterclaim, crossclaim, suggestion for summons in garnishment, garnishment summons, order of possession, writ of eviction, writ of fieri facias, interpleader and civil appeal notice without the intervention of an attorney. Such papers may be signed by a corporate officer, a manager of a limited liability company, a general partner of any form of partnership or a trustee of any business trust, or such corporate officer, with the approval of the board of directors, or manager, general partner or trustee may authorize in writing an employee, a person licensed under the provisions of § 54.1-2106.1 , or the property manager or the managing agent of a landlord as defined in § 55.1-1200 pursuant to the written property management agreement to sign such papers as the agent of the business entity. Only an agency employee designated in writing by the Adjutant General may sign such papers on behalf of the Department of Military Affairs. However, this section shall not apply to an action under subdivision (1) or (3) of § 16.1-77 which was assigned to a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited partnership, professional corporation, professional limited liability company, registered limited liability partnership, registered limited liability limited partnership or business trust, or individual solely for the purpose of enforcing an obligation owed or right inuring to another. B. Nothing in this section shall allow a nonlawyer to file a bill of particulars or grounds of defense or to argue motions, issue a subpoena, rule to show cause, or capias; file or interrogate at debtor interrogatories; or to file, issue or argue any other paper, pleading or proceeding not set forth in subsection A. C. The provisions of § 8.01-271.1 shall apply to any pleading, motion or other paper filed or made pursuant to this section. D. Parties not represented by counsel, and who have made an appearance in the case, shall promptly notify in writing the clerk of court wherein the litigation is pending, and any adverse party, of any change in the party's address necessary for accurate mailing or service of any pleadings or notices. In the absence of such notification, a mailing to or service upon a party at the most recent address contained in the court file of the case shall be deemed effective service or other notice. 1990, c. 645; 1992, c. 814; 1993, cc. 473, 478; 2003, cc. 665 , 667 ; 2004, cc. 338 , 365 ; 2005, c. 136 ; 2006, c. 374 ; 2017, c. 690 ; 2019, cc. 180 , 477 , 700 ; 2020, cc. 84 , 194 . ## Nearby sections - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-79 Actions brought on warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-79.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-79.1 Electronic filing of civil cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-79.1.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-80 Service of warrant and return thereof](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-80.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-81 Actions brought by motion for judgment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-81.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-81.1 Certain corporations; pro se representation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-81.1.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-82 Service of motion; return thereon and delivery to the court; how disposed of](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-82.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-83 Consent of parties required for trial within five days of service](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-83.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-83.1 Certification of expert witness opinion at time of service of process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-83.1.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-84 When action or proceeding not lost; when matured for hearing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-84.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-85 What term "warrant" to include](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-85.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-86 When action deemed brought](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-86.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-86.1 Repealed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-86.1.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-87 Repealed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-87.md) - [Va. Code Ann. § 16.1-88 Procedure when plaintiff sues on sworn claim](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-88.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T16.1_C6_A3_S16.1-88.03. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.