1. A. Except as provided in § 8.01-277, a person waives any objection to personal jurisdiction or defective process if he engages in conduct related to adjudicating the merits of the case, including, but not limited to:

   1. 1. Filing a demurrer, plea in bar, answer, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim;
   2. 2. Conducting discovery, except as provided in subsection B;
   3. 3. Seeking a ruling on the merits of the case; or
   4. 4. Actively participating in proceedings related to determining the merits of the case.

2. B. A person does not waive any objection to personal jurisdiction or defective process if he engages in conduct unrelated to adjudicating the merits of the case, including, but not limited to:

   1. 1. Requesting or agreeing to an extension of time;
   2. 2. Agreeing to a scheduling order;
   3. 3. Conducting discovery authorized by the court related to adjudicating the objection;
   4. 4. Observing or attending proceedings in the case;
   5. 5. Filing a motion to transfer venue pursuant to § 8.01-264 when such motion is filed contemporaneously with the objection; or
   6. 6. Removing the case to federal court.

2011, c. 710.