The Tennessee Supreme Court has unanimously held that a property owner using his home as a short-term rental did not violate homeowner association restrictions requiring homes be used for “residential and no other purposes.” However, the court also held that the property owner’s short-term rentals do violate later amendments to the restrictions that impose a minimum lease term of 30 days. Read more about the decision or access the full court opinion.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order Monday designed to resolve a discrepancy between the word limitation provisions of Tenn. R. App. P. 30(e) and its own rules. The order amends Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 46, sec. 3.02(a)(1) to comport with the provisions of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. The amendment took effect upon filing of the order.

The State Building Commission has approved funding for selecting a designer and construction manager for renovations at the structures currently housing the Tennessee Supreme Court and former state library, the Nashville Post reports. Department of General Services Commissioner Christi Branscom told the commission that with the opening of a new state library, there is an opportunity to combine the two structures “to house more administrative offices of the court’s divisions.” Branscom said the project will preserve the historic elements of both buildings while providing a more modern and functional space. The plan includes additional office space and parking and an evaluation for a secure access corridor between the buildings.

The Tennessee Supreme Court heard four cases today in Nashville and had two more cases on its docket that will be submitted on briefs. All of the cases presented today will be available on the court’s YouTube site. You can read details of the six cases on the court’s website.

The Tennessee Supreme Court has upheld a trial court’s pre-trial ruling prohibiting a defendant doctor from using evidence that another physician, who was not in the lawsuit, caused the plaintiff’s injuries, because the defendant doctor did not give the plaintiffs notice that he intended to shift the blame for the injuries to the other doctor. In a split opinion, the court also held that Tennessee law prohibited the defendant doctor from putting on evidence of the plaintiff’s insurance or related discounts on his medical bills. Read the court's decision from Justice Holly Kirby and the concurring and dissenting opinion from Justice Roger Page.

Gov. Bill Lee will formally swear in Justice Holly Kirby as the chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday at 9 a.m. CDT in the Historic Supreme Court Chambers of the Tennessee State Capitol. The day also will include the TBA’s Supreme Court Boot Camp program and a presentation on the history of the court by former TBA president Bill Harbison. Later this month, on Oct. 13, a reception for Kirby will be held in Memphis at 3 p.m. CDT at the law firm of Burch, Porter & Johnson, where she practiced law before joining the bench. Kirby was unanimously elected chief justice by the court for a two-year term and took the oath of office privately on Sept. 1. She was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2014 by former Gov. Bill Haslam. Before that appointment, she was named the first female judge on the Tennessee Court of Appeals and served there for almost 19 years.

The Tennessee Supreme Court recently issued several rulings. First, it clarified that the economic loss doctrine, which limits the recovery of economic losses under tort law, applies only to products liability cases, not to contracts for services, and should not be expanded. This decision allowed a construction subcontractor to recover damages on its tort claims against a general contractor. Second, the court addressed the concept of personal jurisdiction, ruling that for a Tennessee court to have authority over a case, there must be a sufficient connection between the defendant and the state. Lastly, the court held that defendants convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication cannot receive probation as specified in the 2017 amendment to the probation eligibility statute.

The Tennessee Supreme Court issued several rulings this week. First, it clarified that the economic loss doctrine, which limits the recovery of economic losses under tort law, applies only to products liability cases, not to contracts for services, and should not be expanded. This decision allowed a construction subcontractor to recover damages on its tort claims against a general contractor. Second, the court addressed the concept of personal jurisdiction, ruling that for a Tennessee court to have authority over a case, there must be a sufficient connection between the defendant and the state. Lastly, the court held that defendants convicted of vehicular homicide by intoxication cannot receive probation as specified in the 2017 amendment to the probation eligibility statute.

The Nashville School of Law will host a reception to welcome the newest member of the Tennessee Supreme Court, Justice Dwight E. Tarwater on Oct. 5 from 4:30-6 p.m. CDT at 4013 Armory Oaks Dr., Nashville 37204. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Bar Association, the Lawyers' Association for Women, the Nashville Bar Association and Nashville School of Law. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served. RSVP at this link.

A reception honoring current, new and retiring members of the Tennessee Supreme Court will be held in Nashville on Oct. 4 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. CDT at Holland & Knight, Nashville City Center, 511 Union St., 27th Floor, 37219. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Supreme Court Historical Society. RSVP by emailing lknightlaw@outlook.com.