Right of defendant to resort to equity not affected

Whether the defendant shall or shall not make or attempt a defense under §§ 8.01-146 and 8.01-147 , he shall not be precluded from resorting to equity for any relief to which he would have been entitled if such sections had not been enacted. Code 1950, § 8-818; 1954, c. 333; 1977, c. 617.