§ 8.01-141. When action by cotenants, etc., against cotenants, what plaintiff to prove
If the action be by one or more tenants in common, joint tenants or coparceners against their cotenants, the plaintiff shall be bound to prove actual ouster or some other act amounting to total denial of the plaintiff’s right as cotenant. Code 1950, § 8-811; 1977, c. 617.
§ 8.01-142. Verdict when action against several defendants
If the action be against several defendants, and a joint possession of all be proved, and the plaintiff be entitled to a verdict, it shall be against all, whether they pleaded separately or jointly. Code 1950, § 8-812; 1977, c. 617.
§ 8.01-143. When there may be several judgments against defendants
If the action be against several defendants, and it appear on the trial that any of them occupy distinct parcels in severalty or jointly, and that other defendants possess other parcels in severalty or jointly, the plaintiff may recover several judgments against them, for the parcels so held by one or more of the defendants, […]
§ 8.01-144. Recovery of part of premises claimed
The plaintiff may recover any specific or any undivided part or share of the premises, though it be less than he claimed in the motion for judgment. Code 1950, § 8-814; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.
§ 8.01-145. When possession of part not possession of whole
In a controversy affecting real estate, possession of part shall not be construed as possession of the whole when an actual adverse possession can be proved. Code 1950, § 8-815; 1977, c. 617.
§ 8.01-136. How premises described
The premises claimed shall be described in the motion for judgment with convenient certainty, so that, from such description, with the aid of information derived from the plaintiff, possession thereof may be delivered. Code 1950, § 8-803; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.
§ 8.01-137. Plaintiff to state how he claims
The plaintiff shall also state whether he claims in fee or for his life, or the life of another, or for years, specifying such lives or the duration of such term, and when he claims an undivided share or interest he shall state the same. Code 1950, § 8-804; 1977, c. 617.
§ 8.01-138. There may be several counts and several plaintiffs
The motion for judgment may contain several counts, and several parties may be named as plaintiffs jointly in one count and separately in others. Code 1950, § 8-805; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.
§ 8.01-139. What proof by plaintiff is sufficient
The consent rule, formerly used, remains abolished. The plaintiff need not prove an actual entry on, or possession of, the premises demanded, or receipt of any profits thereof, or any lease, entry, or ouster, except as hereinafter provided. But it shall be sufficient for him to show a right to the possession of the premises […]
§ 8.01-140. Effect of reservation in deed; burden of proof
In any action, suit or other judicial proceeding involving the title to land embraced in the exterior boundaries of any patent, deed or other writing, which reserves one or more parcels of land from the operation of such patent, deed or other writing, if there be no claim made by a party to the proceedings […]