Tennessee Small Claims Court: General Sessions, the $25,000 Limit and Filing Costs

Tennessee doesn’t have a court called “small claims.” Its job is done by General Sessions Court, which every county has. General Sessions hears civil cases worth up to $25,000, and you can bring or defend a case without a lawyer [1][7].

What General Sessions can hear

The court’s civil limit is $25,000 in all civil cases in all counties [1]. Attorney’s fees, court costs and discretionary costs don’t count when deciding whether a judgment is over the limit [1].

Two kinds of cases have no dollar cap: forcible entry and detainer cases, and actions to recover personal property, such as getting back a car or furniture [1][2]. General Sessions doesn’t hear divorces or workers’ compensation cases [2].

If you’re owed more than $25,000, the case belongs in a higher court, and it’s worth talking to a lawyer before cutting your claim down to fit. A 2025 bill to raise the limit to $50,000 didn’t pass; the House version was taken off notice in March 2026 [8].

How to file (Davidson County example)

1. Ask for payment in writing first. It may settle things, and it shows the judge you tried.
2. Get the defendant’s details right. You’ll need the person’s or business’s correct name and address. The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office asks for phone numbers and, if possible, a work address and employer [5].
3. File a civil warrant with the General Sessions civil clerk. In Nashville that’s at 408 Second Ave. N., Suite 2110 (615-862-5195). The clerk provides blank warrants and forms but can’t give legal advice [3][5].
4. Pick a court date. In Davidson County, you choose the date, as long as it leaves the officer enough time to serve the papers [5]. In Knox County, civil cases are set at least 7 days after the warrant is issued [7].
5. Have the defendant served. In Davidson County, the clerk usually sends the warrant to the sheriff for service [5].
6. Go to court with your evidence. Bring the contract, receipts, photos, texts and any witnesses. If the defendant doesn’t come, the judge can hear your proof and enter a judgment [7].

The $145.75 breaks down as $50 to the clerk, $52 for the sheriff and $43.75 in litigation tax [4]. Other counties charge different amounts, so check with your county’s General Sessions clerk.

Do you need a lawyer?

No. People can represent themselves in General Sessions Court [7]. Businesses are different: in Knox County, the court notes that a corporation’s officer or employee who isn’t a lawyer can’t represent the corporation [7]. If you’re suing or being sued by a company, it will usually have a lawyer.

Appealing the decision

Either side can appeal a General Sessions judgment to Circuit Court within 10 days of the judgment, under Tennessee Code § 27-5-108. The 10 days start the day after the judgment, and the deadline moves to the next business day if it lands on a weekend or holiday [6]. To appeal, you file a notice of appeal and pay the fee, or file a pauper’s oath with supporting papers [6].

In Davidson County, the person appealing must get the case set for trial within 45 days of its arrival in Circuit Court. If not, the General Sessions judgment becomes the Circuit Court’s judgment, with costs charged to the person who appealed [6].