reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TN Code § 16-15-301 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 3 - Clerk|§ 16-15-301. Clerk of Court

  The clerk of the circuit court of the county shall act as clerk of the court of general sessions, and when acting as clerk of the general sessions court shall be designated as the clerk of the court of general sessions of that county.   In addition, the clerk of any special court now established or hereafter established, having exactly the same jurisdiction as and no more jurisdiction than the circuit court within any part and for a portion of a particular county, shall also serve as clerk of the court of general sessions within the venue of the special court.   In any county in which the office of a separate clerk of a court of general sessions is created by private act, the clerk shall continue to serve as the clerk of the court of general sessions of the county in accordance with the private act.   Upon written application to the circuit court judge, the clerk of the court of general sessions may be authorized and empowered to appoint deputies for the sole purpose of issuing process. Upon consideration of the application, the circuit court judge shall note the circuit court judge's approval or disapproval by a formal order upon the minutes of the court, and the order shall state the reasons why the judge deems this action to be in the public interest.
TN Code § 16-15-302 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 3 - Clerk|§ 16-15-302. Salaries of Court Officers in Metropolitan Government Counties

 In counties governed by a metropolitan government as provided in title 7, the salaries of court officers of circuit, chancery and general sessions courts shall be the same and equal to the salaries of the court officers of the criminal courts of those counties.
TN Code § 16-15-304 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 3 - Clerk|§ 16-15-304. Dockets

 Separate dockets shall be kept in the court for civil and criminal cases. Upon the civil docket shall be entered the style of each case, the names of the attorneys for the parties, the date of issuance of the warrant and process, the name of the officer to whom delivered, the return of the process, in brief form the action of the court both interlocutory and final, orders, judgments, executions, garnishments, list of fees of the court, of the sheriff, the sheriff's deputies, constables, game wardens, state highway patrol officers and other officers for their services, fees of witnesses for attendance and credits for payments upon judgments and upon costs. All cases shall be indexed.
TN Code § 16-15-401 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 4 - Powers and Duties|§ 16-15-401. General Powers

  Each general sessions court judge is vested with power to:  Grant writs of attachment, returnable to the circuit court, in the same manner and to the same extent as the circuit judge;   Enter up judgment by confession of a defendant to any amount within the judge's jurisdiction in the particular case;   Issue an execution in the judge's county upon a certified execution from another county;   Issue a subpoena for witnesses, in any matter to be tried before the judge, to the judge's own or an adjoining county;   Issue scire facias to revive judgments against the personal representatives and heirs of deceased parties, to any county in the state;   Issue alias and pluries executions whenever necessary;   Issue counterpart writs to any county in the state for the principal maker of any bill, bond, or note, at the instance of the surety or endorser who is sued thereon; and   Punish persons disturbing them in the discharge of their official duties.     Judges of general sessions courts have the same authority as circuit court judges or chancellors to grant fiats for writs of injunction, attachments and other extraordinary process. They also have the same jurisdiction relative to the suspension and revocation of sentences imposed by them as that conferred upon all trial judges by title 40, chapter 29.   The judges of courts of general sessions of counties of the third class, as defined in § 16-15-204 [repealed], having a population of not less than forty-seven thousand eight hundred fifty (47,850) nor more than forty-seven thousand eight hundred seventy-five (47,875), according to the 1970 federal census or any subsequent federal census, in addition to the jurisdiction and powers conferred elsewhere in this chapter, have the authority to sit by interchange for the county judge in nonsupport, probate, juvenile and lunacy proceedings.    Code 1858, § 4125 (deriv. Acts 1794, ch. 1, § 19; 1801, ch. 7, § 4; 1805, ch. 66, §§ 4, 6; 1837-1838, ch. 102, § 1; 1843-1844, ch. 112, § 1; 1847-1848, ch. 55, § 15; 1849-1850, ch. 103, § 1; 1851-1852, ch. 181, § 3); Shan., § 5937; Code 1932, § 10138; Acts 1959, ch. 109, § 2; 1961, ch. 138, § 1; 1965, ch. 114, § 1; 1967, ch. 276, § 1; 1968, ch. 635, § 2; 1969, ch. 44, § 2; 1973, ch. 88, § 2; 1973, ch. 355, § 2; 1974, ch. 432, § 2; impl. am. 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; modified; T.C.A., § 19-202; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 16-1104; Acts 1993, ch. 241, § 9.
TN Code § 16-15-402 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 4 - Powers and Duties|§ 16-15-402. General Duties

 It is the duty of a general sessions court judge:   To return all marriage licenses under which the judge has solemnized the rites of matrimony to the office of the county clerk within thirty (30) days;   To deliver over, in case of resignation, removal, or expiration of the judge's term of office, all the judge's official books and papers, according to law; and   Not to sign a warrant or summons or any other leading process, attachment or document until written out in full.    Code 1858, § 4126 (deriv. Acts 1805, ch. 66, § 1; 1809 (Sept.), ch. 63, § 2; 1829, ch. 125, § 1; 1835-1836, ch. 17, §§ 7, 13-15); Acts 1889, ch. 251, §§ 1, 2; Shan., § 5938; mod. Code 1932, § 10139; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 22, 36; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-203; Acts 1993, ch. 241, §§ 10, 11.
TN Code § 16-15-403 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 4 - Powers and Duties|§ 16-15-403. Conservator of Peace — Oaths

 Every general sessions court judge is a conservator of the peace in the county in which the judge serves, and has authority to administer oaths when required by law, unless the power is expressly entrusted to some other officer, and to exercise such other powers as are conferred upon the general sessions court judge by law.   Code 1858, § 343; Shan., § 432; Code 1932, § 679; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-201.
TN Code § 16-15-404 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 4 - Powers and Duties|§ 16-15-404. Hearing Causes at Any Time

 Each general sessions court judge is authorized to try any cause that may be brought before the judge at any time and at any place within the county, unless expressly prohibited by some positive provision of this code.   Code 1858, § 4128 (deriv. Acts 1835-1836, ch. 17, § 3); Shan., § 5940; Code 1932, § 10141; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-205.
TN Code § 16-15-406 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 4 - Powers and Duties|§ 16-15-406. Rules of Court

 Judges of the courts of general sessions shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to expedite the trial and disposal of cases.
TN Code § 16-15-502 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 5 - Jurisdiction|§ 16-15-502. Actions to Recover Personal Property

 Actions to recover personal property may be conducted in general sessions courts, as prescribed in former § 29-30-211 [repealed], and §§ 29-30-212 — 29-30-217.   Code 1858, § 4172; Shan., § 5984; Code 1932, § 10185; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-302; Acts 1989, ch. 20, § 3.
TN Code § 16-15-503 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 5 - Jurisdiction|§ 16-15-503. Geographical Jurisdiction

 The jurisdiction of general sessions courts, when not otherwise provided, is geographically coextensive with the limits of their respective counties.   Code 1858, § 4113 (deriv. Const. 1834, art. 6, § 15); Shan., § 5925; Code 1932, § 10126; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-303.
TN Code § 16-15-505 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 5 - Jurisdiction|§ 16-15-505. Objections to Jurisdiction

 Objections to the jurisdiction of the general sessions court before which the warrant is returned shall be made before the hearing, or they will be considered as waived.   Code 1858, § 4120; Shan., § 5932; Code 1932, § 10133; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-311.
TN Code § 16-15-701 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-701. Electronic Filing

 Any court governed by this chapter may, by local rule, allow papers to be filed, signed, or verified by electronic means that comply with technological standards promulgated by the supreme court. Pleadings and other papers filed electronically under such local rules shall be considered the same as written papers.
TN Code § 16-15-706 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-706. Infants or Incompetents — Representation

 Whenever an infant or incompetent person has a representative, such as a general guardian, conservator or other like fiduciary, the representative may sue or defend on behalf of the infant or incompetent person. If an infant or incompetent person does not have a duly appointed representative, or if justice requires, the infant or incompetent person may sue by a next friend. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem to defend an action for an infant or incompetent person who does not have a duly appointed representative, or whenever justice requires. The court may, in its discretion, allow the guardian ad litem a reasonable fee for the guardian's services, to be taxed as costs.
TN Code § 16-15-707 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-707. Plaintiffs — Nonsuits — Dismissals

 The plaintiff shall have the right to take a voluntary nonsuit or to dismiss an action without prejudice at any time before the cause is finally submitted to the court, but not afterwards; provided, that such a dismissal operates as an adjudication upon the merits when filed by a plaintiff who has twice dismissed in any court an action based on or including the same claim.
TN Code § 16-15-708 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-708. Subpoena of Witnesses

  The attendance of witnesses to give testimony in court or by deposition is procured by subpoena or summons, requiring the witness to be present at a prescribed place and time, to give testimony in a case or matter stated in the subpoena or summons, mentioning the names of the parties litigant and the party at whose instance the witness is to be summoned, and, if necessary, requiring the witness also to bring any books, papers, documents or tangible things stated in the subpoena or summons. The subpoena is issued by a judge or clerk of the court at any time, and to any county within the state, on request of the party wishing the process, and may be served by any person authorized to serve process, by delivering or offering to deliver a copy of the subpoena to the person to whom it is directed. If any person without cause refuses to appear, to testify or to produce evidence when duly subpoenaed to do so, that person shall be committed to jail by the court before whom that person is bound to testify, to remain in jail without bail until willing to testify or give evidence as the law directs.   This section shall govern when a judge or clerk is required to issue a subpoena and the consequences of a person's refusal to appear, testify or produce evidence when subpoenaed pursuant to this section. If any local rule of court conflicts with this section, this section shall prevail and the clerk or other official shall issue subpoenas and the judge shall punish the failure to respond to subpoenas in accordance with this section.
TN Code § 16-15-710 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-710. Commencement of Actions — New Process When Not Served

 The suing out of a warrant is the commencement of a civil action within the meaning of this title, whether it is served or not; but if the process is returned unserved, plaintiff, if plaintiff wishes to rely on the original commencement as a bar to the running of a statute of limitations, must either prosecute and continue the action by applying for and obtaining new process from time to time, each new process to be obtained within nine (9) months from return unserved of the previous process, or plaintiff must recommence the action within one (1) year after the return of the initial process not served.
TN Code § 16-15-711 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-711. Survival of Actions — Substitution of Parties

  If a party dies and the claim is not extinguished by the death, the court may order substitution of the proper parties. The motion for substitution may be made by any party or by the successors or representatives of the deceased party and, together with notice of hearing, shall be served on the parties by delivering or mailing a copy of the motion and notice to the parties and shall be served upon persons not parties in the manner provided for service of process. Unless the motion for substitution is made not later than ninety (90) days after the death is suggested in the case by service of a statement of the fact of the death as provided in this subsection (a) for the service of the motion, the action shall be dismissed as to the deceased party.   In the event of the death of one (1) or more of the plaintiffs or one (1) or more of the defendants in an action in which the right sought to be enforced survives only to the surviving plaintiffs or only against the surviving defendants, the action does not abate. The death shall be suggested in the case and the action shall proceed in favor or against the surviving parties.
TN Code § 16-15-712 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-712. Enforcement of Judgments — Examination of Judgment Debtor and Others

 In all courts exercising general sessions jurisdiction, the procedure on execution, in proceedings supplementary to and in aid of a judgment, and in proceedings on and in aid of execution shall be in accordance with the statutes of this state and with the general practice followed in the courts of this state. In aid of the judgment or execution, however, the judgment creditor, or the judgment creditor's successor in interest when that interest appears of record, may examine any person, including the judgment debtor, by subpoenaing the person to court, or by conducting discovery in any manner provided by the Tennessee rules of civil procedure.
TN Code § 16-15-713 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-713. Attachments and Contempts

  Notwithstanding any provision of the law or private act to the contrary, courts of general sessions have the power to issue attachments and inflict punishments for contempts of court. The punishments for contempts shall be limited to:  A fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) and imprisonment not exceeding ten (10) days if the judge of the general sessions court is licensed to practice law; and   A fine not exceeding fifty dollars ($50.00) if the judge of the general sessions court is not licensed to practice law.     Courts of general sessions have the power to punish for contempt persons who fail to appear for traffic violations.
TN Code § 16-15-714 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-714. Pleadings and Practice — General Sessions Courts

 Practice and pleadings in the general sessions courts shall be as provided in this chapter and other provisions of law and private acts establishing the courts and local rules of practice not inconsistent with law.
TN Code § 16-15-715 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-715. Court Bailiffs

 The sheriff shall, unless otherwise provided, provide sufficient bailiffs to serve the general sessions courts.
TN Code § 16-15-716 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-716. Warrants

 A civil action in the general sessions courts is commenced by a civil warrant being filed with the clerk in substance as follows:   State of Tennessee   County   To any lawful process server to execute and return: summon   defendant  to appear before the general sessions court of this county in   address  city or   , at  on  to answer plaintiff(s)  in   county,   time    date   a civil action for   (include as many lines as necessary)   under  dollars. This   date   clerk/deputy
TN Code § 16-15-718 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-718. Fees to Clerk

 Before the issuance of any original process in a civil action, the plaintiff shall deposit with the clerk a sum that the clerk has previously established as adequate to pay the usual costs, including litigation taxes as calculated in accordance with § 8-21-401, and any local litigation tax as authorized by a private act. The clerk may allow a cost bond with adequate security in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500); provided, that any eligible plaintiff may proceed on a pauper's oath instead of the cash deposit or cost bond.
TN Code § 16-15-719 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-719. Appeal Bond

 An appeal bond returned with other papers to the circuit court is a conclusive presumption that an appeal was taken.
TN Code § 16-15-720 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-720. Continuances

 A continuance may be granted in the judge's discretion.
TN Code § 16-15-721 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-721. Rules of Evidence — Application

 Unless specifically provided otherwise, the Tennessee rules of evidence shall be fully applicable in general sessions courts.
TN Code § 16-15-722 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-722. Attachment

  General sessions courts have jurisdiction as in subsection (b) to proceed by attachment against the property of the defendant, in the same way as the courts of record, under the rules, regulations and provisions in this code prescribed in regard to proceedings by attachment, as far as they are applicable and not controlled by other express provisions.   The jurisdiction of general sessions courts in attachment cases is limited to the amount of their jurisdiction over the subject matter of suit or cause of action.    Code 1858, §§ 4173, 4174; Shan., §§ 5985, 5986; Code 1932, §§ 10186, 10187; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 19-405, 19-406; Acts 1993, ch. 241, § 33; T.C.A., § 19-1-105.
TN Code § 16-15-723 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-723. Proceedings After Attachment

 The proceedings after the issuance and service of attachment and on the trial and enforcement of the plaintiff's claim, are the same as if the suit had been commenced in the ordinary way, the rights acquired by the attachment being governed by the provisions of this code regulating attachments.   Code 1858, § 4175; Shan., § 5987; Code 1932, § 10188; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-407; Acts 1993, ch. 241, § 34; T.C.A., § 19-1-106.
TN Code § 16-15-724 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-724. Cross Actions

 Cross actions shall be instituted by cross summons to be filed any day before the day of trial, unless a nonresident defendant enters an appearance and waives publication. In such case, the cross summons shall be filed within two (2) whole days after entry of appearance. In all such actions instituted before courts of general sessions, the case shall not be set for trial until the fourth day after the date of service of original summons, or return date of any publication for a nonresident, or date of entry of appearance of a nonresident.
TN Code § 16-15-725 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-725. Judgment for Defendant on Setoff

  If the defendant pleads a setoff to the plaintiff's debt, and it appears that there is a balance due in favor of the defendant, the general sessions court shall enter up judgment in favor of the defendant and against the plaintiff for the balance. If the plaintiff fails in establishing any demand against the defendant, the defendant shall have a judgment against the plaintiff for the amount that the proof upon the defendant's cross action shows that the defendant is entitled to, with costs.   If the residue upon the defendant's setoff, after satisfying the plaintiff's debt, exceeds the court's jurisdiction, the defendant may enter on the court's docket a satisfaction of so much of the defendant's claim as the amount of the plaintiff's demand, as ascertained by the court, and tender the plaintiff a receipt for the amount thus setoff, in which case judgment shall be rendered in favor of the defendant for costs.    Code 1858, §§ 4160, 4162 (deriv. Acts 1815, ch. 53, § 1); Acts 1879, ch. 222, § 1; Shan., §§ 5973, 5975; Code 1932, §§ 10174, 10176; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 19-417, 19-419; Acts 1993, ch. 241, § 41; T.C.A., § 19-1-113.
TN Code § 16-15-726 (2021)
2021 Tennessee Code|Title 16 - Courts|Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions|Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions|§ 16-15-726. Remittitur

 If the sum found for either plaintiff or defendant exceeds the jurisdiction of the general sessions court, that party may remit the excess, and take judgment for the residue, but the party cannot afterwards sue for the amount so remitted.   Code 1858, § 4161; Shan., § 5974; Code 1932, § 10175; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-418; Acts 1993, ch. 241, § 42; T.C.A., § 19-1-114.