Chap. 454.—An ACT to provide how appeals from justices and warrants re-
moved shall be tried, and how defects, omissions and irregularities in the
proceedini s below may be corrected in the court to whrelt the appeal is
taken or the warrant removed.

Approved February 27, 1894.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That in civil
cases all appeals from justices and warrants removed shall be tried
according to the principles of law and equity, and where the same
conflict the principles of equity shall prevail. No warrant shall be
dismissed by reason of mere defects, irregularities or omissions in
the proceedings before the justice or in respect to the form of the
warrant, where the same may be corrected by a proper order of
court; but the court to which the appeal is taken or the warrant re-
moved shall retain the same, with full power to direct all necessary
amendments, to enter such orders and direct such proceedings as
will tend to correct the defects, irregularities and omissions afore-
said, to promote substantial justice to all parties, and to bring about
a trial of the merits of the controversy ; no omission, defect or irregu-
larity not brought to the attention of the county court shall be con-
sidered by the circuit court. This statute shall be liberally con-
strued, to the end that justice be not delayed or denied by reason
of errors in the warrant or in the form of the proceedings; and the
court may make such provision as to costs and continuances as may
be just.

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