Va. Code § 8.9A-333: Priority of certain liens arising by operation of law

(a) "Possessory lien." In this section, "possessory lien" means an interest, other than a security interest or an agricultural lien:(1) which secures payment or performance of an obligation for services or materials furnished with respect to goods by a person in the ordinary course of the person's business;(2) which is created by statute or rule of law in favor of the person; and(3) whose effectiveness depends on the person's possession of the goods.(b) Priority of possessory lien. A possessory lien on goods has priority over a security interest in the goods unless the lien is created by a statute that expressly provides otherwise.1964, c. 219, § 8.9-310; 2000, c. 1007.