Tennessee’s courts are structured into four tiers, only two of which conduct actual trials. 

The General Sessions Court is a small claims court, although all counties have monetary jurisdiction up to $25,000.  No jury trials are permitted in General Sessions Courts.   Although a court of limited jurisdiction, attorneys are permitted in General Sessions Courts.  Discovery is severely restricted.  Adverse opinions may be appealed for new trial by either judge or jury to the Circuit Court, with no presumption of correctness in the lower court’s decision. 

Circuit Court, Criminal Court and Chancery Court possess generally concurrent jurisdiction.  No monetary jurisdictional limits exist.  Trials are either jury or non-jury.

Appeals from the Circuit or Chancery Court are considered by the Court of Appeals via review of the trial transcript.  No new proof is presented.  Cases are heard by three judge panels in Nashville, Jackson or Knoxville.

Only certain cases may be heard by the state Supreme Court following rulings of the Court of Appeals.  The five member Court sits in Knoxville, Jackson and Nashville at various time during each year.