Tennessee State Courts

Bery Law is based in Nashville and represents clients in appropriate civil matters throughout Tennessee. Our practice has included matters in Davidson, Williamson, Montgomery, Wilson, Dickson, Rutherford, Marshall, Robertson, Sumner, Knox, and Shelby Counties, among others.

Tennessee’s court system is statewide, but the way cases are assigned and handled can vary by county and judicial district. Circuit, Chancery, General Sessions, and Juvenile Courts do not always exercise the same jurisdiction in every county, so identifying the proper court is often an important first step.

This page focuses on the Tennessee courts most relevant to Bery Law’s civil, family, juvenile, real estate, and business practice.

Where your case may be heard

Circuit Court

Circuit Courts are courts of general jurisdiction and commonly hear civil matters, domestic-relations cases, and appeals from lower courts. Their jurisdiction often overlaps with Chancery Court.

Chancery Court

Chancery Courts hear a range of civil and equitable matters, including many disputes involving contracts, property, business relationships, and requests for injunctive or other equitable relief. Their jurisdiction frequently overlaps with Circuit Court.

General Sessions Court

Every Tennessee county has a General Sessions Court. These courts handle limited-jurisdiction civil matters, including many landlord-tenant and detainer actions, as well as other matters within statutory monetary and subject-matter limits. The precise jurisdiction can vary by county.

Juvenile Court

Juvenile Courts handle matters involving children, including dependency and neglect, parentage, custody and visitation in appropriate cases, and child support. In many counties, juvenile jurisdiction is exercised by General Sessions Court rather than by a separately established Juvenile Court.

Tennessee Court of Appeals

The Tennessee Court of Appeals hears appeals in civil cases from the state’s trial courts.

Tennessee Supreme Court

The Tennessee Supreme Court is the state’s highest court. Unlike the Court of Appeals, it generally has discretion over whether to review a civil appeal.

Local procedure still matters

Although Tennessee law applies statewide, practical court procedure can differ from one county to another. Filing practices, docket schedules, local rules, judicial assignments, and the division of jurisdiction among courts can all affect how a case proceeds.

For that reason, the first question is often not simply “What does Tennessee law say?” but also “Where should this case be filed, and how does that court handle it?”