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9 Virginia opinions name it 5 courts 1991–2025 4 in the last five years
The cases below were cited by Virginia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.
| Case | Followed | Cited |
|---|---|---|
Niese v. City of Alexandriagreen2 sentences2025The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that “the doctrine of sovereign immunity is alive and well in Virginia.” Phelan v. Commonwealth, 291 Va. 192, 195 (2016) (quoting Niese v. City of Alexandria, 264 Va. 230, 238 (2002)). 2024The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that “the doctrine of sovereign immunity is alive and well in Virginia.” Phelan v. Commonwealth, 291 Va. 192, 195 (2016) (quoting Niese v. City of Alexandria, 264 Va. 230, 238 (2002)). | 4 | 5 |
Melanson v. Commonwealthgreen2 sentences2025Unless there is an express statutory or constitutional provision waiving sovereign immunity, “the Commonwealth and its agencies are immune from liability for the tortious acts or omissions of their agents and employees.” Id. (quoting Melanson v. Commonwealth, 261 Va. 178, 181 (2001)). 2024Unless there is an express statutory or constitutional provision waiving sovereign immunity, “the Commonwealth and its agencies are immune from liability for the tortious acts or omissions of their agents and employees.” Id. (quoting Melanson v. Commonwealth, 261 Va. 178, 181 (2001)). | 3 | 4 |
Phelan v. Commonwealthgreen2 sentences2025The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that “the doctrine of sovereign immunity is alive and well in Virginia.” Phelan v. Commonwealth, 291 Va. 192, 195 (2016) (quoting Niese v. City of Alexandria, 264 Va. 230, 238 (2002)). 2024The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that “the doctrine of sovereign immunity is alive and well in Virginia.” Phelan v. Commonwealth, 291 Va. 192, 195 (2016) (quoting Niese v. City of Alexandria, 264 Va. 230, 238 (2002)). | 3 | 3 |
City of Chesapeake v. Cunninghamgreen1 sentence2024The doctrine represents “a rule of social policy, which protects the state from burdensome interference with the performance of its governmental functions and preserves its control over state funds, property, and instrumentalities.” City of Chesapeake v. Cunningham, 268 Va. 624, 633 (2004) (quoting City of Virginia Beach v. Carmichael Dev. | 1 | 1 |
Patten v. Commonwealthgreen2 sentences2004“In the absence of express statutory or constitutional provisions waiving the Commonwealth’s immunity, the Commonwealth and its agencies are immune from liability for the tortious acts or omissions of their agents or employees.” Patten v. Commonwealth, 262 Va. 654, 658 , 553 S.E.2d 517, 519 (2001). 2004“In the absence of express statutory or constitutional provisions waiving the Commonwealth’s immunity, the Commonwealth and its agencies are immune from liability for the tortious acts or omissions of their agents or employees.” Patten v. Commonwealth, 262 Va. 654, 658 , 553 S.E.2d 517, 519 (2001). | 1 | 1 |
| Case | Negative | Cited |
|---|---|---|
| No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Virginia. Read the followed side critically anyway. | ||
| Case | Cited | Years |
|---|---|---|
Messina v. Burden
green
2 sentences2007Sovereign Immunity It is clear that “[t]he doctrine of sovereign immunity is alive and well in Virginia.” Messina v. Burden, 228 Va. 301, 307 , 321 S.E.2d 657 (1984). 2007Sovereign Immunity It is clear that “[t]he doctrine of sovereign immunity is alive and well in Virginia.” Messina v. Burden, 228 Va. 301, 307 , 321 S.E.2d 657 (1984). | 2 | 1998–2007 |
Lawhorne v. Harlan
green
1 sentence1991In addition to James v. Jane and Gargiulo v. Ohar , a third case particularly instructive here is Lawhorne v. Harlan, 214 Va. 405 (1973), overruled on other grounds, First Virginia Bank - Colonial v. Baker, 225 Va. 272 (1983). | 1 | 1991–1991 |
Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.