Va. Code § 15.2-3522
When a consolidation agreement proposing the creation of a consolidated city in accordance with § 15.2-3529 has been adopted, the original of the consolidation agreement, a petition on behalf of the several governing bodies, signed by the chairman, the mayor and the clerk of each such body, and certificates of publication as provided for in § 15.2-3521 shall be presented to a circuit court having jurisdiction over one or more of the localities. Upon receipt of the consolidation agreement, the petition, and the certificates of publication, the chief judge of the circuit court shall request the Supreme Court to appoint pursuant to Chapter 30 (§ 15.2-3000 et seq.) of this title the special court which shall determine whether the proposed consolidation is eligible for city status.
Va. Code § 15.2-3522