General Sessions Local Rules
Effective November 15, 2007
DISCLAIMER: The following rules were promulgated by the Davidson County General Sessions Courts and are published here verbatim as a convenience to the public. Any comments regarding their form or content should be directed to the General Sessions Courts.
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CIVIL RULES
RULE 1. APPLICABILITY AND SUSPENSION OF RULES
1.01 Former Rules Void
All former rules of local practice except as readopted herein are void.
1.02 Applicability
Each rule is applicable in all General Sessions Court proceedings in Davidson County,
Tennessee. Each rule is applicable in all types of cases unless otherwise indicated by a
particular rule.
1.03 Suspension of Rules
Whenever the Court determines that justice requires it, the Court may suspend any of these rules.
1.04 Appropriate Attire Required for Court The New Adopted Dress Code
All parties, including Counsel and witnesses, shall dress appropriately for Court.
Please do not enter the Courtroom wearing a halter, t-tops, or see through tops, shorts, no exposed midriff, no underwear exposed, hats or any other inappropriate clothing.
RULE 2. APPEARANCE OF COUNSEL
2.01 Counsel of Record; Entry of Appearance
Counsel must be licensed in the state of Tennessee in order to practice law or represent others in the General Sessions Courts. A
non-licensed person will not be permitted to represent anyone other than him or herself in the General Sessions Courts.
All counsel who have entered an appearance in a case will be recorded as Counsel of record. Counsel shall enter an
appearance at the earliest practicable time by notifying opposing counsel and the Civil Court Clerk's
office.
2.02 Withdrawal of Counsel
Prior to entry of a judgment or disposition in General Sessions Court, no attorney shall be
allowed to withdraw except for good cause and by Leave of Court upon motion after notice
to his/her client and opposing Counsel or party if without Counsel.
2.03 Conduct of Counsel
During trial, Counsel shall not exhibit familiarity with witnesses or opposing Counsel and shall
not use first names of adults. Counsel, parties and witnesses shall be expected to
conduct themselves with appropriate decorum at all times in the Courtroom.
When addressing the Court, counsel shall introduce herself/himself to the Court.
Counsel shall stand while examining witnesses, addressing the Court, or making objections.
Counsel who anticipate being late for Court shall promptly notify the Clerk of the Court or anyone designated by the Judge
and the opposing Counselor pro-se party.
RULE 3. FILING AND SERVICE OF PAPERS
3.01 Filing Companion or Third-Party Civil Cases
Upon the filing of any civil action, which is, related to a pending action in General Sessions Court
(e.g., Cross Warrant to Third Party Complaint), the party filing such companion case shall
note the new warrant is a companion case to a pending General Sessions Court case. All
companion or third-party cases shall be consolidated for trial with the original action.
3.02
Filing of Briefs or Memorandum of Law
All Post-Hearing Briefs or Memoranda of Law shall be filed with the Civil Court Clerk of the Court, and a
copy shall be delivered to the Judge in open Court or in the General Sessions office in
the A. A. Birth Building to the Judge before whom the case is pending and a copy contemporaneously
mailed to the opposing Counsel of party, or to the pro-se party.
RULE 4. TRIAL CALENDAR
4.01 Docket Calls
At the first call of the civil docket, in the absence of the trial Judge, the Courtroom Deputy is
authorized to call the docket to determine which parties are present and ready for trial.
All cases requiring entry of a default judgment, a dismissal for nonappearance of a party,
or resolution of a disputed matter including a request for a continuance where the
opposing party objects such request, shall be reserved for action by the trial Judge. At
the conclusion of the docket call, Courtroom Deputy shall announce a recess and advise
those present in the Courtroom of the opportunity to discuss settlement with the opposing
party or Counsel, the Courtroom Deputy shall further advise those present that they are not
required to settle their case and they will be given a trial if they are unable to
agree on a settlement.
When a case is dismissed without a trial for want of prosecution, said dismissal shall be without
prejudice to either party's right to re-file.
RULE 5. SETTING CASES
5.01 Setting of Cases
Cases shall be tried on the date they are set on the Court's docket unless, for good cause shown
or upon agreement of the parties, the Court resets case for trial at a later date or
continues case indefinitely. In civil actions the Court may liberally grant a continuance
on the first setting of a case or on the first setting after an indefinite continuance.
RULE 6. CONTINUANCES
6.01 Indefinite Continuances
Civil cases which have been continued indefinitely shall only be reset for trial and placed on
the Court's docket by the Civil Court Clerk upon the agreement of the parties or after written notice
to the opposing party twenty-one (21) days in advance. No resetting cases which have been continued indefinitely will be allowed by e-mail. When resetting such cases by agreement, an
original Agreed Order, signed by both Counsel or pro-se parties, signature by agreement shall be permitted,
shall be filed with the Civil Court Clerk and a copy shall be forwarded to opposing Counsel or the opposing pro-se party. Alternatively, a case
may be reset by agreement by sending a letter to the Clerk specifically stating the
case is being reset by agreement and sending a copy of the letter to the opposing pro-se party or
attorney.
6.02 Multiple Continuances
After a civil case has been set on the Court's docket three (3) times and has been continued,
whether by agreement or for good cause, the case shall be tried or continued indefinitely
and taken off the Court's docket and shall be reset on the docket only upon notice or
agreement of the parties in writing, as set out in Rule 6.01.
When a case is continued indefinitely, all parties and Counsel shall notify the Civil Court Clerk and opposing party or Counsel of any changes in their mailing address. All parties must be notified by certified mail.
6.03 Detainer Warrants
Detainer warrant cases which have been continued indefinitely shall be reset on the docket after
giving notice in writing to the opposing party seven (7) calendar days in advance of the
proposed date for the case to be reset on the docket.
RULE 7. NONSUITS
7.01 Nonsuits
When a defendant satisfies a civil judgment prior to the Court date by paying the monies to the
Civil Court Clerk's office and the plaintiff's attorney takes a Non-Suit, the plaintiff's attorney
shall prepare an Order entering formal written notice of Non-Suit and requesting
disbursement of funds.
RULE 8. DISMISSALS
8.01 Slow Pay Motions
When the
moving party on a Slow Pay Motion fails to answer at the first call of the docket, such
Motion shall be subject to dismissal at the expiration of 20 minutes after
the commencement of the docket call.
RULE 9. NEGOTIATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS
9.01 Settlement Discussions
At the end of the first docket call, all parties and attorneys shall be allowed a brief
opportunity to discuss possible settlement of their cases before trial. The Court shall
advise those present in the Courtroom of the opportunity to discuss settlement with the
opposing pro-se party or the opposing Counsel. The Court shall also advise those present a
trial will be given to them if the parties or Counsel are not able to agree on a
settlement and they are not required to settle their cases. Prior to trial all parties must exchange exhibits and prepare copies for the opposing party and the court.
9.02 Judgments
All judgments which contain more than a single element must list damages and attorney's fee
separately before the total.
All parties or their attorneys shall sign all Agreed Orders or Judgments which are presented to the Court or the party presenting the Order or Judgments shall sign the Judgments, thereby certifying that the opposing party has been notified of the entry of the Agreed Order or judgment, its terms and the date of entry.
All judgments on Orders prepared by Attorneys/parties subsequent to hearing shall be returned to trial Judge for signature within five (5) working days.
9.03 Minor Settlements
In all
cases where the parties propose to settle a personal injury claim brought on behalf of a
minor, the Court shall conduct a hearing to chambers at which the minor and his/her guardian
are present. At such hearing, Plaintiff's Counsel shall provide the Court with
documentation reflecting the medical expenses incurred in connection with the claim, and
describing the minor's present medical condition.
9.04 Agreed Orders
Agreed judgments must be signed by both parties and/or their attorneys.
RULE 10. DOCKET INFORMATION
10.01 Civil Dockets
Civil dockets are currently heard Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. in Courtrooms 5C and at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in Courtroom 5D on the 5th floor of the A.A. Birch Building, 408 2nd Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee, 37219.
RULE 11. LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS
11.01 Language Interpreters
Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 42, the appointing of a language interpreter is a matter of judicial discretion. If the Court determines that justice requires an interpreter be appointed, said appointment and scheduling of the interpreter shall be coordinated with the General Sessions Court Administration Office. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 42, section 7(a), the costs for the interpreter shall be taxed as court costs to whichever party the Court deems appropriate. In the event an indigent party is taxed with the court costs, the Court may exercise it discretion to waive said costs.
Cases involving an interpreter will be heard at the beginning of the docket provided the interpreter is prepared for trial.
11.02 Hearing/Sign Interpreters
Sign interpreters are provided for civil proceedings at the Court's expense but notification is to be given to the Court Administration Office as soon as the need is determined. Cases involving an interpreter will be heard at the beginning of the docket provided the interpreter is prepared for trial.
RULE 12. ORDERS OF PROTECTION
12.01 Petitions for Orders of Protection
Petitions for Ex Parte Orders of Protection are to be filed with the Judicial commissioner in Night Court who shall issue the Ex Parte Order if the allegations meet statutory requirements. All applications shall be sent to the General Sessions Civil Clerk's office for service of process and setting for a hearing.
RULE 13. NO SMOKING POLICY
13.01 No Smoking Policy
Pursuant to Metropolitan Ordinance No. 094-1035 and Public Chapter 410 of 2007 effective October 1, 2007, smoking is prohibited in public buildings.
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