20-99 - How such suits instituted and conducted; costs.
§ 20-99. How such suits instituted and conducted; costs.
Such suit shall be instituted and conducted as other suits in equity, exceptas otherwise provided in this section:
1. No divorce, annulment, or affirmation of a marriage shall be granted onthe uncorroborated testimony of the parties or either of them.
2. Whether the defendant answers or not, the cause shall be heardindependently of the admissions of either party in the pleadings or otherwise.
3. Process or notice in such proceedings shall be served in this Commonwealthby any of the methods prescribed in § 8.01-296 by any person authorized toserve process under § 8.01-293. Service may be made on a nonresident by anyof the methods prescribed in § 8.01-296 by any person authorized to serveprocess under § 8.01-320.
4. In cases where such suits have been commenced and an appearance has beenmade on behalf of the defendant by counsel, then notices to take depositionsand of hearings, motions, and other proceedings except contempt proceedings,may be served by delivering or mailing a copy to counsel for opposing party,the foot of such notices bearing either acceptance of service or acertificate of counsel in compliance with the Rules of the Supreme Court ofVirginia. "Counsel for opposing party" shall include a pro se party who (i)has entered a general appearance in person or by filing a pleading orendorsing an order of withdrawal of that party's counsel, or (ii) has signeda pleading in the case or who has notified the other parties and the clerkthat he appears in the case.
5. Costs may be awarded to either party as equity and justice may require.
(Code 1919, § 5106; 1920, p. 503; 1928, p. 535; 1938, p. 202; 1968, c. 484;1975, c. 644; 1977, c. 60; 1984, cc. 609, 616; 1987, c. 594; 1991, c. 244;1992, c. 563.)