# Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-538: Attachment of ships, boats and other vessels of more than twenty tons

> Virginia · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-538

## Section

- **Citation:** Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-538
- **Heading:** Attachment of ships, boats and other vessels of more than twenty tons
- **Jurisdiction:** Virginia
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Virginia Code / Title 8.01 / Chapter 20 / Article 1 / Section 8.01-538

## Text

No attachment against any ship, boat, or other vessel of more than twenty tons, shall issue unless the plaintiff or someone in his behalf, shall first establish, to the satisfaction of the court in which he files his petition for attachment that he has a reasonable expectation of recovering an amount exclusive of all costs, equal to at least one-half the damages demanded in the petition for attachment. Reasonable notice of appearance before the court shall be given the owner, agent or master of said vessel, and at the time of the appearance the court shall determine the amount of such reasonable expectation of recovery and the amount of bond necessary to secure the release of the vessel if and when a writ be levied in accordance with this section.

No attachment issued in violation of the provisions of this section shall create a valid lien upon the property sought to be attached, and no levy made under authority thereof shall be of any effect.

Code 1950, § 8-524.1; 1954, c. 254; 1977, c. 617.

## Nearby sections

- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-533 Who may sue out attachment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-533.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-534 Grounds of action for pretrial levy or seizure of attachment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-534.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-535 Jurisdiction of attachments; trial or hearing of issues](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-535.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-536 Pleadings in attachment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-536.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-537 Petition for attachment; costs, fees and taxes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-537.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-537.1 Plaintiff to file bond](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-537.1.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-538 Attachment of ships, boats and other vessels of more than twenty tons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-538.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-539 Who made defendants](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-539.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-540 Issuance of attachment; against what attachment to issue](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-540.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-541 To whom attachments directed; when and where returned](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-541.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-542 Issue and execution of attachment on any day](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-542.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-543 Issue of other attachments on original petition](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-543.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-544 When attachment not served other attachments may issue; order of publication](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-544.md)
- [Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-545 Amendments; formal defects](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-545.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_VA_T8.01_C20_A1_S8.01-538. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.