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2004 SESSION


CHAPTER 627
An Act to amend and reenact § 8.01-294 of the Code of Virginia, relating to service of process; return of service; late return.
[H 980]
Approved April 12, 2004

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 8.01-294 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 8.01-294. Sheriff to get from clerk's office process and other papers; return of papers; effect of late return.

Every sheriff who attends a court shall, every day when the clerk's office is open for business, go to such office and receive all process, and other papers to be served by him, and give receipts therefor, unless he has received notice from a regular employee of the clerk's office that there are no such papers requiring service and shall return all papers within seventy-two 72 hours of service, except when such returns would be due on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. In such case, the return is due on the next day following such Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

Failure to make return of service of process by anyone authorized to serve process under § 8.01-293 within the time specified in this section shall not invalidate any service of process or any judgment based thereon. In the event a late return prejudices a party or interferes with the court's administration of a case, the court may, in its discretion, continue the case, require additional or substitute service of process, or take such other action or enter such order as the court deems appropriate under the circumstances.