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2001 SESSION

010309684
HOUSE BILL NO. 1696
Offered January 10, 2001
Prefiled December 15, 2000
A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3932 of the Code of Virginia, relating to attorney's lien for fees.
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Patron-- Cranwell
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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 54.1-3932 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-3932. Lien for fees.

Any person having or claiming a right of action sounding in tort, or for liquidated or unliquidated damages on contract or for a cause of action for annulment or divorce, may contract with any attorney to prosecute the same, and the attorney shall have a lien upon the cause of action as security for his fees for any services rendered in relation to the cause of action or claim. When any such contract is made, and written notice of the claim of such lien is given to the opposite party, his attorney or agent, any settlement or adjustment of the cause of action shall be void against the lien so created, except as proof of liability on such cause of action. Nothing in this section shall affect the existing law in respect to champertous contracts. Any person having or claiming a right of action sounding in tort, or for liquidated or unliquidated damages on contract, may contract with any attorney to prosecute the same, and the attorney shall have a lien upon the cause of action as security for his fees for any services rendered in relation to the cause of action or claim. When any such contract is made, and written notice of the claim of such lien is given to the opposite party, his attorney or agent, any settlement or adjustment of the cause of action shall be void against the lien so created, except as proof of liability on such cause of action. Nothing in this section shall affect the existing law in respect to champertous contracts.