Va. Code » Title 8.01. Civil Remedies and Procedure » Chapter 2. Parties » Article 2. Special Provisions
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-15 (2026)

Suits by and against unincorporated associations or orders

✓ current as of May 2026
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All unincorporated associations or orders may sue and be sued under the name by which they are commonly known and called, or under which they do business, and judgments and executions against any such association or order shall bind its real and personal property in like manner as if it were incorporated.

Code 1950, § 8-66; 1962, c. 250; 1977, c. 617.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1982–2021 · leading case: Sines v. Kessler, 324 F. Supp. 3d 765 (W.D. Va. 2018).
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Sines v. Kessler, 324 F. Supp. 3d 765 (W.D. Va. 2018). · cites it 5× “Unincorporated associations under Va. Code § 8.01-15 Multiple Defendants are sued as "unincorporated associations" under Virginia law.”
Fitzgerald v. Alcorn, 285 F. Supp. 3d 922 (W.D. Va. 2018). · cites it 4× “" Va. Code Ann. § 8.01-15 . The Virginia Supreme Court has interpreted this statute as "contemplat[ing] that litigation brought pursuant thereto will be instituted by the officers of such unincorporated association or order who have charge of its affairs or by members of the…”
Concerned Taxpayers v. Dep't of Env't Quality, 525 S.E.2d 628 (Va. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 4× “” Code § 8.01-15 permits all unincorporated associations to sue and be sued under the name by which they are commonly known.”
Pearsall v. Virginia Racing Comm'n, 494 S.E.2d 879 (Va. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “Code § 8.01-15. The Association is an unincorporated civic group comprised of persons in a defined region of the City of Richmond.”
Jeffress v. Titius, 756 F. Supp. 255 (W.D. Va. 1990). · cites it 2× “On its own motion, the Court also holds that this action must be dismissed because plaintiff lacks standing to bring it. Both of the entities whom plaintiff sues on behalf of appear to be unincorporated associations.”
Diluzio v. United Elec., Radio & Mach. Wkrs. of Am., 435 N.E.2d 1027 (Mass. 1982). “12, § 814 (1973); Va. Code § 8.01-15 (1977). Some States, by court rule, authorize unincorporated associations to sue or be sued.”
DiLuzio v. United Elec., Radio & Mach. Workers of Am., 435 N.E.2d 1027 (Mass. 1982). “12, § 814 (1973); Va. Code § 8.01-15 (1977). Some States, by court rule, authorize unincorporated associations to sue or be sued.”
Smith v. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (E.D. Va. 2020). · cites it 6× “Va. Code § 8.01-15. Therefore, Smith could establish a cause of action against Defendant LDS Church in state court.”
Sines v. Kessler (W.D. Va. 2020). · cites it 3× “” Va. Code § 8.01-15. A corporation’s capacity to sue or be sued is determined “by the law under which it was organized.”
Sines v. Kessler (W.D. Va. 2021). · cites it 3× “” Va. Code § 8.01-15. 2019. See Order of Mar.”
Sines v. Kessler (W.D. Va. 2021). · cites it 2× “¶ 24 (alleging that Vanguard is an “unincorporated association” subject to suit under Virginia Code § 8.01-15). Plaintiffs contend that Vanguard played a key role in planning the rallies and that the group’s leaders actively communicated with co-Defendants and others before,…”
Carroll Cnty. High Sch. Band Boosters v. Webb, 13 Va. Cir. 127 (1988). · cites it 2× “Section 8.01-15 of the Code of Virginia provides as follows: All unincorporated associations or orders may sue and be sued under the name by which they are commonly known and called, or under which they do business, and judgments and executions against any such association or…”
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