<P> The judiciary of Virginia is defined under the Constitution and law of Virginia and is composed of the Supreme Court of Virginia and subordinate courts, including the Court of Appeals, the Circuit Courts, and the General District Courts . Its administration is headed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Judicial Council, the Committee on District Courts, the Judicial Conferences, and various other officers . </P> <P> The political subdivisions of Virginia are the areas into which the state is divided for political and administrative purposes . In Virginia, the political subdivisions have only the legal powers specifically granted to them by the General Assembly and set forth under the Code of Virginia . </P> <P> Some are local governments; others are not . However, all local governments (cities, counties, and incorporated towns) are political subdivisions of the state . All public school divisions are political subdivisions of the state, although each has local and some controlling relationships of varying types with the counties, cities and / or towns they serve . Some political subdivisions are defined geographically; others by function . Many authorities (such as water, or transportation districts) are created by specific legislation as political subdivisions of the state . </P> <P> Every location in Virginia is within a county or an independent city, but never both . The 95 counties and the 39 independent cities all have their own governments . Cities are governed by an elected Mayor or city council which choose a city manager or county administrator to serve as a professional, non-political chief administrator under the council - manager form of government, while counties are governed by a county board of supervisors . Many specifics are set forth in "charters", specific legislation adopted by the General Assembly . Other forms of local government are also provided by statute . </P>

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