CHAP. 281.—An ACT to prescribe in what cases a justice of the peace shall
not have jurisdiction in a suit or warrant.

Approved March 14, 1912.

1. Re it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
if a justice of the peace be a party to the suit or warrant, or be
interested in the result thereof, otherwise than as a resident or
taxpayer of the district or county, or be related to either of the
parties as grandfather, father, father-in-law, son, son-in-law,
brother, brother-in-law, nephew, uncle, first cousin, guardian,
or ward, or be a material witness for either party, or who has
such claim in his hands for collections for compensation, he shall
not take cognizance thereof, unless all parties to the suit con-
sent thereto in writing. To any judgment entered by a jus-
tice in such case, without such consent, an appeal may be taken
regardless of amount in controversy as other appeals are taken,
and such judgment shall be annulled and set aside: unless apnea)
is thus taken the judgment shall be valid and binding. But
when a justice is under such disabilities, any other justice in
the same district may exercise jurisdiction in the case, or if
there be no other disinterested justice in same district then
any other justice in same county may exercise jurisdiction, if
there be no other objection. Nothing in this act shall be con-
strued as permitting or authorizing justices of the peace to re-
ceive claims or evidences of debt for collection.