To render a binding judgment, a court must have both subject matter jurisdiction over the controversy (the subject of the dispute) and personal jurisdiction over the parties (plaintiff and defendant). While subject matter jurisdiction refers to the court’s power to hear a particular type of suit, personal jurisdiction—also known as in personam jurisdiction—concerns the court’s power to bind a particular person or party.

A special appearance is a procedure in civil litigation, and the purpose of a special appearance is to object to the court’s exercise of jurisdiction over the defendant or the defendant’s property on the ground that such person or property is not subject to the court’s jurisdiction. A defendant (person or entity) who has been sued in a state other than the defendant’s primary residence will often challenge the court’s exercise of jurisdiction over the nonresident defendant.

In Virginia, as in other states, a court must have both subject matter jurisdiction and personal jurisdiction to render a binding judgment. Subject matter jurisdiction is the court's authority to hear a specific type of legal case, while personal jurisdiction refers to the court's power to make a decision affecting a particular individual or entity. Virginia courts can establish personal jurisdiction over a party if the party has sufficient contacts with the state, such as conducting business in Virginia or committing a tortious act within the state. The concept of minimum contacts is central to determining personal jurisdiction. A special appearance is a legal strategy used by a defendant to challenge the court's personal jurisdiction without submitting to it. In Virginia, a defendant may make a special appearance to contest personal jurisdiction, but must do so before taking any other action in the case to avoid inadvertently consenting to the court's jurisdiction. This is governed by Virginia's rules of civil procedure and relevant state statutes, which outline the process and grounds for contesting personal jurisdiction.