Chap. 616.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 3427 of the Code of Virginia.
Approved April 2, 1902.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That section
thirty-four hundred and twenty-seven of the Code of Virginia, as
%30 ACTS OF ASSEMBLY.

amended and re-enacted by the act approved March third, eighteen hun-
dred and ninety-eight, be amended and re-enacted so as to read as fol-
lows:

§ 3427. How a chancery cause submitted for decision in vacation, an!
so forth—Any chancery cause pending in a circuit or corporation cuurt
may, by consent of parties, either in person or by counsel, next friend, or
guardian ad litem, entered of record, either in term or in vacation,
submitted to the judge of such court for such decisions and decrees
therein, in vacation, as might be made in term: provided, that no such
consent shall be necessary as to any defendant against whom the caus
has been matured by order of publication, and who has not appeared by
motion, demurrer, plea, or answer. Such court may also, without such
consent, when it desires time to consider of its judgment in a case whieh
has been fully heard, direct any such cause to be submitted for decision
and decree in vacation. All such deerees and: orders so made in vacation
shall be certified by such judge to the clerk of the court in which the
cause is pending, to be entered by him in his chancery order book. All
decrees and orders so made and entered shall have the same force and
effect as if made and entered in term, except that in case of a decree for
money the same shall be effective only from the time of day at which it is
received in the clerk’s office to be entered of record. During a term of
court all matters of law or fact requiring argument shall, so far as practi-
cable, be heard in open court in the courthouse, and not in chambers, and
the court shall be kept open a reasonable time each day of the term for
such hearings.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.