Rule 1 Scope of Rules

These rules set the basic ground rules for how civil lawsuits work in Tennessee's circuit and chancery courts. They cover most civil cases, whether the case involves a lawsuit for money damages or a request for a court to order someone to do (or stop doing) something. The main goal behind these rules is to make sure court cases are handled fairly, move along without unnecessary delay, and don't cost people more money than necessary.

General sessions courts (the lower courts that often handle smaller claims) usually don't have to follow these rules. But there are some exceptions. If a general sessions court is handling a type of case that would normally belong in circuit or chancery court, these rules still apply. The rules also kick in once a case gets appealed or moved from general sessions court up to circuit court. Finally, if someone wins a judgment in general sessions court and needs to collect on it, the specific rule about collecting judgments (Rule 69) still applies even though the case started in general sessions court.