Chap. 326.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 3515 of the code of Virginia
in relation to fees of officers.

Approved February 14, 1896.

1. Be it enacted by the genera] assembly of Virginia, That sec-
tion thirty-five hundred and fifteen of the code of Virginia be
amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 3515. How and when fee bills made out: to be produced before
payment is compelled: what to show when paid in advance: con-
structive fees defined: penalties for illegal demands: how fee bill
quashed.—No person shall be compelled to pay any fees before men-
tioned for services already performed until there be produced to him
a fee bill signed by the officer to whom the fees are due expressing
the particulars for which such fees are charged; nor shall such offi-
cer be compelled to perform any service unless his fees if demanded
be paid or tendered, or otherwise satisfactorily secured him, except
in criminal cases, and in the case of persons suing, as provided by
section thirty-five hundred and thirty-eight. And where bills are
made out for services to be performed there shall be mentioned the
nature of the service and the fact that it is to be performed. No
officer shal], for any service, make out a fee bill for more than is al-
Jowed therefor or charge full fees to more than one party for the
same service; but in such case the payment of the fees by any party
shall be a satisfaction for such service, nor shall any officer charge
a constructive fee, nor shall he for the same service attempt to ob-
tain payment a second time or make out a fee bill a second time,
unless he endorse the fact and swear that the former bill remains
unpaid.

“ Constructive fees ” shall be construed to include fees for services
not actually rendered, or for copies not actually furnished the party
at his request, or for services which inure to the benefit of more
than one person, and have already been charged to or paid by an-
other.

If any officer violate any of the provisions of this section he shall
forfeit five dollars to any person prosecuting therefor. The circuit
or county court of a county, or circuit or corporation court of acor-
poration, in which an officer resides, may, on motion, after reasona-
ble notice to him, quash any fee bill made out by him contrary to
law.

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