Virginia Circuit Court Cover Sheet for Filing Civil Actions (CC-1416)

VIRGINIA CIRCUIT COURT COVER SHEET FOR FILING CIVIL ACTIONS

Form CC-1416 — Required for Filing Civil Actions in Virginia Circuit Court

FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Form CC-1416 is a mandatory cover sheet that must be filed at the beginning of most civil lawsuits in Virginia Circuit Court. Page One is completed by the filing party or the attorney for the party. Page Two is for clerk's office use only.

Key Requirements:

• File CC-1416 simultaneously with the Complaint or other originating document
• Attach copies of the Complaint and other documents to this form
• Contact the local circuit court clerk to confirm whether CC-1416 is required for your specific filing type
• Some circuits (e.g., Fairfax, Norfolk, Richmond) may require additional local cover sheets or supplements
• Virginia has 120 circuit courts organized into 31 judicial circuits
• Electronic filing is available through eFileVA (https://efileva.com) in participating courts

Form Version: CC-1416 (Revised 02/23)

SECTION 1: COURT AND CAPTION

Circuit Court: [________________________________]

City/County: [________________________________]

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF ___________________________
                                    (City/County)

_________________________________,
                    Plaintiff,
                                            Case No.: ________________
v.                                          (Assigned by Clerk)

_________________________________,
                    Defendant.

Date of Filing: [__/__/____]

SECTION 2: FILER IDENTIFICATION

This cover sheet is being filed by:

• ☐ Plaintiff
• ☐ Defendant
• ☐ Attorney for Plaintiff
• ☐ Attorney for Defendant
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 3: PARTY INFORMATION

Plaintiff(s)

Additional Plaintiff(s): ☐ See attached list

Defendant(s)

Additional Defendant(s): ☐ See attached list

SECTION 4: ATTORNEY / SELF-REPRESENTED PARTY INFORMATION

☐ Self-Represented Party (Pro Se) — If checked, provide personal contact information above.

Attorney For: ☐ Plaintiff ☐ Defendant ☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 5: CASE CATEGORY — PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

Select the category that best describes the primary nature of this civil action, using the CC-1416 form categories. Use the exact language and codes from the official form.

General Civil — Contract / Business

General Civil — Debt / Collection

General Civil — Property

General Civil — Tort

Administrative Law

Domestic / Family

Probate / Wills & Trusts

Miscellaneous Civil

SECTION 5A: SUBSEQUENT ACTIONS

If this filing is a subsequent action in an existing case, select the applicable category:

• ☐ Claim Impleading Third-Party Defendant — Monetary
• ☐ Claim Impleading Third-Party Defendant — No Monetary
• ☐ Counterclaim — Monetary
• ☐ Counterclaim — No Monetary
• ☐ Cross-Claim
• ☐ Interpleader
• ☐ Reinstatement (Former Case No.: [________________________________])
• ☐ Removal to Federal Court
• ☐ None — This is an original filing

SECTION 6: DAMAGES / AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY

Monetary Damages Claimed

• ☐ Not exceeding $49,999
• ☐ Exceeding $49,999 but not exceeding $100,000
• ☐ Exceeding $100,000 but not exceeding $500,000
• ☐ Exceeding $500,000

Specific Amount (if stated): $ [________________________________]

Note: Under Va. Code § 8.01-95.1, the ad damnum clause must not state a specific dollar amount for unliquidated damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Instead, state the jurisdictional minimum.

Non-Monetary Relief Sought

• ☐ Injunctive Relief
• ☐ Declaratory Judgment
• ☐ Specific Performance
• ☐ Equitable Relief: [________________________________]
• ☐ No Monetary Damages Claimed

SECTION 7: JURY DEMAND

• ☐ Jury trial demanded
• ☐ Non-jury / Bench trial
• ☐ Jury demand to be filed later

Note: Under Virginia Supreme Court Rule 3:21, a jury demand must be made in writing and filed no later than the date the case is called for trial, though best practice is to include the demand in the initial pleading or promptly thereafter.

SECTION 8: SERVICE INFORMATION

Method of Service

• ☐ Service by Sheriff (Va. Code § 8.01-293)
• ☐ Private Process Server (Va. Code § 8.01-293)
• ☐ Service on Secretary of the Commonwealth (Va. Code § 8.01-329, for non-resident defendants)
• ☐ Service on Commissioner of DMV (Va. Code § 8.01-306, long-arm for motor vehicle cases)
• ☐ Service by Publication (Va. Code § 8.01-316 et seq.)
• ☐ Acceptance / Waiver of Service
• ☐ Other Authorized Method: [________________________________]

Service Addresses for Each Defendant

SECTION 9: RELATED CASES

Are there any related cases pending or previously filed?

• ☐ No related cases
• ☐ Yes — Provide details below:

Consolidation Requested: ☐ Yes ☐ No

SECTION 10: SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Interpreter / Language Access

• ☐ Interpreter needed — Language: [________________________________]

ADA / Disability Accommodations

• ☐ Accommodation needed — Describe: [________________________________]

Confidential / Sealed Filing

• ☐ Motion to seal or restrict access filed

Local Circuit Requirements

• ☐ Additional local cover sheet required (specify circuit): [________________________________]
• ☐ Business Docket designation requested (where available)

SECTION 11: FILING FEE INFORMATION

Per Va. Code § 17.1-275 — Filing fees collected by clerks of circuit courts (verify current fees):

Additional fees may include technology trust fund fee, courthouse construction/maintenance fee, and legal aid fee. Use the Virginia Courts filing fee calculator at: https://www.courts.state.va.us/ccfees_calc_app

Fee Paid: $ [________________________________]
Receipt Number: [________________________________]
Fee Waiver Granted: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Pending

SECTION 12: ATTACHMENTS CHECKLIST

The following documents are attached to this cover sheet:

• ☐ Complaint / Petition / Motion for Judgment
• ☐ Summons (for issuance by clerk)
• ☐ Lis Pendens (if real property action)
• ☐ Medical Malpractice — Certification of Expert Review (Va. Code § 8.01-20.1)
• ☐ Affidavit for Service by Publication
• ☐ Order of Publication
• ☐ Additional local forms: [________________________________]
• ☐ Filing fee payment / fee waiver order
• ☐ Other: [________________________________]

SECTION 13: ATTORNEY / PARTY CERTIFICATION

I certify that the information provided on this Cover Sheet for Filing Civil Actions is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I understand this form serves as an administrative summary for case management purposes.

Date: ___/___/______

_______________________________________________
Signature

_______________________________________________
Printed Name

_______________________________________________
Virginia State Bar Number (if applicable)

_______________________________________________
Attorney for: ☐ Plaintiff  ☐ Defendant  ☐ Other: ____________

SECTION 14: FOR CLERK'S USE ONLY (PAGE TWO OF CC-1416)

VIRGINIA-SPECIFIC PRACTICE NOTES

1. CC-1416 Form Requirement: Form CC-1416 is the official Virginia Supreme Court form for filing civil actions in circuit court. While this template mirrors the form's content, always use the official CC-1416 available at https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit/cc1416.pdf for actual filing.

2. Tiered Filing Fees: Virginia uses a tiered fee structure based on the amount of damages claimed, as set forth in Va. Code § 17.1-275. The filing fee ranges from $60 (no monetary damages) to $300 (damages exceeding $500,000). Use the online fee calculator at courts.state.va.us.

3. Medical Malpractice — Special Requirements: Under Va. Code § 8.01-581.1 et seq., medical malpractice claims require:
   - Pre-suit notification to the health care provider at least 60 days before filing
   - Certification that an expert has reviewed the case and found a reasonable basis for the claim (Va. Code § 8.01-20.1)
   - Compliance with the Medical Malpractice Act's cap on damages

4. Long-Arm Statute: Virginia's long-arm statute (Va. Code § 8.01-328.1) provides for personal jurisdiction over non-residents who transact business in Virginia, contract to supply services or goods in Virginia, cause a tortious act or omission in Virginia, or own/use real property in Virginia.

5. Service Methods: Virginia provides multiple service methods including sheriff service, private process server, Secretary of the Commonwealth service (for non-residents), and DMV service (for motor vehicle accident cases involving non-residents).

6. Statute of Limitations — Common Periods:
   - Personal Injury: 2 years (Va. Code § 8.01-243(A))
   - Written Contract: 5 years (Va. Code § 8.01-246(2))
   - Oral Contract: 3 years (Va. Code § 8.01-246(4))
   - Property Damage: 5 years (Va. Code § 8.01-243(B))
   - Medical Malpractice: 2 years (Va. Code § 8.01-243(A))
   - Wrongful Death: 2 years (Va. Code § 8.01-244)
   - Fraud: 2 years from discovery (Va. Code § 8.01-243(C))

7. Local Supplements: Several circuits require additional local forms or have supplemental requirements:
   - Fairfax Circuit Court: Requires a separate civil case coversheet and has specific filing instructions
   - Norfolk Circuit Court: Has local rules for case management
   - Richmond Circuit Court: Has a business docket for complex commercial cases
   - Always check the local rules of the specific circuit where you are filing

8. Electronic Filing (eFileVA): Many Virginia circuit courts participate in the eFileVA electronic filing system. Check https://efileva.com for participating courts and filing requirements.

9. Venue: Under Va. Code § 8.01-261 et seq., venue in Virginia is based on the defendant's residence, the location of the cause of action, or other statutory factors. Improper venue may be raised by motion or plea.

Sources and References

• Virginia Form CC-1416 (Cover Sheet for Filing Civil Actions): https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit/cc1416.pdf
• CC-1416 Instructions: https://www.vacourts.gov/forms/circuit/cc1416inst.pdf
• Virginia Circuit Court Forms Listing (Revised 10/2025): https://www.vacourts.gov/static/forms/circuit/cc_forms_list.pdf
• Va. Code § 17.1-275 — Fees Collected by Clerks of Circuit Courts: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title17.1/chapter2/section17.1-275/
• Virginia Circuit Court Filing Fee Calculator: https://www.courts.state.va.us/ccfees_calc_app
• Fairfax Circuit Court Filing Instructions: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/sites/circuit/files/assets/documents/pdf/fees-civil-and-filing-instructions.pdf
• Virginia Rules of Supreme Court: https://www.vacourts.gov/courts/scv/rulesofcourt.pdf
• Va. Code § 8.01-228 et seq. — Statutes of Limitation
• Va. Code § 8.01-328.1 — Long-Arm Statute
• Va. Code § 8.01-581.1 et seq. — Medical Malpractice Act
• eFileVA Electronic Filing: https://efileva.com