Abatement is generally the temporary or permanent halting of a process (a lawsuit) or a situation (a nuisance).
In Virginia, abatement refers to the legal principle of interrupting or ending a process or condition that is causing harm or is unlawful. When applied to lawsuits, abatement can mean the suspension or termination of legal proceedings. This can occur for various reasons, such as the death of a party involved, a lack of jurisdiction, or the settlement of the dispute outside of court. In the context of nuisances, abatement involves stopping or removing a nuisance, which is an activity or condition that interferes with the use and enjoyment of property. Virginia law allows for the abatement of nuisances through legal action, and in some cases, immediate cessation may be ordered by the court if the nuisance poses a significant threat to public health or safety.