Virginia Code 13.1-1229: Trustee standards of conduct; trustee liability; restrictions on liability limitations in governing instrument.
A. A trustee shall discharge his duties as a trustee in accordance with the standards of conduct provided for directors of a Virginia corporation pursuant to §§ 13.1-690 and 13.1-691.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 13.1-1229
- Articles of trust: includes the original articles of trust, the original certificate of trust issued by the Commission, and all amendments to the articles of trust. See Virginia Code 13.1-1201
- Beneficial owner: means any owner of a beneficial interest in a business trust, the fact of ownership to be determined and evidenced, whether by means of registration, the issuance of certificates or otherwise, in conformity to the applicable provisions of the governing instrument of the business trust. See Virginia Code 13.1-1201
- Business trust: includes , without limitation, any of the following entities that conform with subdivisions 1 and 2 of this definition:
(1) A trust of the type known at common law as a "business trust" or "Massachusetts trust";
(2) A trust qualifying as a real estate mortgage investment conduit under § 860 D of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or under any successor provision;
(3) A trust qualifying as a real estate investment trust under §§ 856 through 859 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or under any successor provision; or
(4) A "real estate investment trust" or "trust" created under former Chapter 9 of Title 6 or former Chapter 9 of Title 6. See Virginia Code 13.1-1201
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Governing instrument: means a trust instrument that creates a business trust and provides for the governance of the affairs of the business trust and the conduct of its business, including, without limitation, a declaration of trust. See Virginia Code 13.1-1201
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
- Person: includes any individual, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, government, political subdivision, or any other legal or commercial entity and any successor, representative, agent, agency, or instrumentality thereof. See Virginia Code 1-230
- Trust: includes a common law trust, business trust, and foreign business trust. See Virginia Code 13.1-1201
- Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
- Trustee: means a person appointed as a trustee in accordance with the governing instrument of a business trust. See Virginia Code 13.1-1201
B. Subject to the provisions of subsection C, and except to the extent otherwise provided in the articles of trust or in the governing instrument of a business trust, a trustee, when acting in such capacity, is not personally liable to any person other than the business trust or a beneficial owner for any act, omission, or obligation of the business trust or any trustee.
C. A trustee or officer of a business trust shall have no liability to the business trust or a beneficial owner for any act or omission greater than that of directors or officers of a Virginia corporation to the corporation as provided in Chapter 9 (§ 13.1-601 et seq.) of this title, including any elimination of liability provided for in the articles of trust or governing instrument.
2002, c. 621.