Virginia Code Title 8.01. Civil Remedies and Procedure § 8.01-576.3. Procedures; verdict not binding unless otherwise agreed

A judge of the court having jurisdiction over the case shall preside over a summary jury trial. Counsel for the parties or, if a party is not represented by counsel, a party shall verbally present a summary of the issues in the case and the evidence on behalf of each party. Evidence for the plaintiff shall be presented first. Each party shall be given the opportunity to rebut the evidence of another party upon request. The testimony of witnesses and the submission of documentary evidence shall not be allowed except as stipulated or agreed to by the parties.

Upon conclusion of the presentations of the summary evidence, the court shall instruct the jury on the law applicable to the cause. The jury shall advise the court of its verdict upon conclusion of the deliberations.

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing submitted to the court prior to a jury being impanelled pursuant to this chapter, the verdict of a summary jury shall not be binding on either party and shall not be admissible on any subsequent trial of the case. If the parties have agreed to be bound by the verdict, judgment shall be entered by the court in accordance with the verdict.