Cal. Civ. Code § 36-96.16
Civil action by Attorney General upon referral of charge by the Real Estate Board.
Operative Text
A. Not later than thirty days after a charge is referred by the Board to the Attorney General under § 36-96.14 , the Attorney General shall commence and maintain a civil action seeking relief on behalf of the complainant in the circuit court for the city, county, or town in which the unlawful discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur. B. Any aggrieved person with respect to the issues to be determined in a civil action pursuant to subsection A may intervene as of right. C. In a civil action under this section, if the court or jury finds that a discriminatory housing practice has occurred or is about to occur, the court or jury may grant, as relief, any relief which a court could grant with respect to such discriminatory housing practice in a civil action under § 36-96.18 . Any relief so granted that would accrue to an aggrieved person under § 36-96.18 shall also accrue to the aggrieved person in a civil action under this section. If monetary relief is sought for the benefit of an aggrieved person who does not intervene in the civil action, the court shall not award such relief if that aggrieved person has not complied with discovery orders entered by the court in the course of the action brought under this section. D. In any court proceeding arising under this section, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party reasonable attorney's fees and costs.
Virginia Code § 36-96.16 establishes a process by which the Attorney General steps in to pursue a civil lawsuit in circuit court when the Real Estate Board refers a fair housing charge. The lawsuit must be filed within thirty days of that referral and seeks relief on behalf of the person who filed the original complaint. Anyone else affected by the same discriminatory housing practice has the right to join the lawsuit, and if a violation is found, the court or jury may award the same range of remedies available in private fair housing suits—including monetary relief and, at the court's discretion, attorney's fees and costs for the prevailing party.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Va. Code § 36-96.16, once the Real Estate Board refers a charge to the Attorney General, a civil action in circuit court follows swiftly—within thirty days. Operators who maintain thorough, consistent, and non-discriminatory housing policies and records are generally better positioned to respond to any such proceeding. Because the court may award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party, understanding the full scope of potential exposure under this section is an important part of compliance planning.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Va. Code § 36-96.16 gives people harmed by discriminatory housing practices the right to intervene in the Attorney General's civil action as a matter of right, meaning they can participate directly in the lawsuit brought on their behalf. Aggrieved individuals who do intervene may be eligible for the same monetary and other relief available in a private fair housing lawsuit under § 36-96.18, though the court will not award monetary relief to a non-intervening person who has not complied with discovery orders. Tenants who believe they have been affected by a referred charge may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or fair housing agency to understand the intervention process and what participation could mean for their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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