How does small claims court work in Tennessee?

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Accepted Answer

1. Jurisdictional Limit    Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-501(d)(1) caps General Sessions civil jurisdiction at $25,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Detainer (eviction) and certain other actions have no monetary cap.    2. Court Name    General Sessions Court of each county (Tennessee does not have a separate "small claims court" — General Sessions handles all small-money civil matters).    3. Filing Fee    Filing fees vary by county, typically $87-$200, plus sheriff's service fees of $34-$50 per defendant. Indigent filers may submit a Uniform Civil Affidavit of Indigency to waive court costs (Tenn. R. Civ. P. 18).    4. Filing the Claim    File a Civil Warrant in the county where the defendant resides, is found, or where the cause of action accrued (Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-4-101). Service is performed by the sheriff, constable, or licensed private process server.    5. Defendant's Response    The Civil Warrant sets a "return date" — the first court appearance, typically 30 days after issuance. No written answer is required. Failure to appear results in default judgment. Counterclaims must be filed at or before the return date.    6. Attorney Representation    Attorneys are permitted on both sides (Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-15-501(e)). Corporations and LLCs may appear through an officer or employee for claims under the General Sessions limit, but typically need counsel for complex matters.    7. Hearing    Hearings before the General Sessions judge are informal; the Tennessee Rules of Evidence apply but are loosely enforced. Some counties have mediation programs for civil cases.    8. Judgment & Collection    Either party may appeal to the Circuit Court within 10 days for a trial de novo (Tenn. Code Ann. § 27-5-108) — one of the shortest appeal windows nationally. An appeal bond equal to the judgment plus costs is required, or an Affidavit of Indigency. Collection tools include garnishment under Tenn. Code Ann. § 26-2-201 (wages, bank accounts), executions under § 26-1-101, and judgment liens recorded under § 25-5-101.    9. Statute of Limitations    Standard SOLs apply: 6 years for contracts (Tenn. Code Ann. § 28-3-109), 3 years for property damage (§ 28-3-105), 1 year for personal injury (§ 28-3-104) — Tennessee's notably short PI statute, and 3 years for fraud (§ 28-3-105).  This is legal information, not legal advice.