8.01-421 - Payment may be pleaded; payment into court of part of claim; procedure upon such payment. - Virginia Statutes

§ 8.01-421. Payment may be pleaded; payment into court of part of claim;procedure upon such payment.

A. In any action for recovery of a debt the defendant may plead payment ofthe debt or any part thereof prior to the commencement of the action.

B. In any personal action, the defendant may pay into court a sum of money onaccount of what is claimed, or by way of compensation or amends, and pleadthat he is not indebted to the plaintiff, or that the plaintiff has notsustained damages, to a greater amount than such sum. The plaintiff mayaccept such sum either in full satisfaction, and then have judgment for hiscosts, or in part satisfaction, and reply to the allegations of thedefendant's pleadings, and, if issue thereon be found for the defendant,judgment shall be given for the defendant, and he shall recover his costs.The payment of such sum into court shall not be admissible in evidence.

(Code 1950, §§ 8-236, 8-237, 8-238; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617; 1978, c. 416.)