TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Apr 17, 2020

In a unanimous opinion today in Ken Smith Auto Parts v. Michael F. Thomas, the Tennessee Supreme Court clarified the procedure and jurisdiction for an appeal from a county general sessions court to a state circuit court. The court found that when defendants appeal a general sessions judgment to circuit court, but then fail to appear for the circuit court trial, Tennessee law requires circuit courts to enter a default judgment against the defendant, subject to enforcement in the circuit court, and retain jurisdiction over that case. Read more from the Administrative Office of the Courts.