Local Rules of Practice for the Thirteenth Judicial District Circuit Court

Flashcards defining the local legal terminology and procedural requirements for the 13th Judicial District Circuit Court in Tennessee.

Thirteenth Judicial District

The judicial area consisting of Clay County, Cumberland County, DeKalb County, Overton County, Pickett County, Putnam County, and White County.

William T. Ridley

The Circuit Judge for Part I of the Thirteenth Judicial District.

Caroline E. Knight

The Circuit Judge for Part II of the Thirteenth Judicial District.

Docket Setting Day

Specific dates when cases are set on the docket regardless of attorney presence; it is the attorney's responsibility to determine these dates and attend.

L.R.P.

The shorthand citation used for the Local Rules of Practice for the Circuit Court of the Thirteenth Judicial District.

Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 58

The rule governing the effectiveness of an order of final disposition, requiring either specific judge and party signatures or a certificate of service.

Judicial Settlement Conference

A session scheduled under Supreme Court Rule 31 that must be arranged early enough to avoid affecting the scheduled trial date.

Motion in Limine

Routine motions that must be scheduled on a specific motion date prior to the day of trial to avoid delays.

Pro se

A term describing litigants who represent themselves in court proceedings without the assistance of counsel.

Lodged

The act of submitting an order to the judge's office for review and signature, as required under L.R.P. 22.01 [c].

T.C.A. §16-2-509

The statute pursuant to which the Presiding Judge is selected to supervise the administration of the respective courts.

Counsel of Record

Attorneys who have entered an appearance in a case by filing pleadings or a formal notice of appearance.

Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 8

The Rules of Professional Conduct adopted as guidelines for the conduct of counsel in the district.

Electronic Filing (e-filing)

The digital method of submitting papers to the court as adopted under T.R.C.P. Rule 5B for the Thirteenth Judicial District.

Certificate of Service

A mandatory section on all filed papers showing the date of service and the names of the persons served.

Redaction

The process of obscuring confidential items like Social Security Numbers, Taxpayer IDs, or Driver License Numbers from public filings.

Jury Demand

A requirement to type 'JURY DEMAND' in capital letters on the first page of pleadings to avoid waiving the right to a jury trial.

Discovery Conference

A required meeting between moving counsel and opposing counsel to resolve issues in good faith before the court will rule on discovery motions.

Chambers Docket

A schedule for matters to be heard in chambers, prepared by the judge's judicial assistant.

Certificate of Good Faith

A signed statement in a motion confirming that moving counsel attempted to jointly schedule a hearing with opposing counsel.

Guardian ad Litem

An attorney appointed by the court to represent the best interests of a person, such as a minor or incompetent individual, during litigation.

Interchange

The process by which circuit courts hear criminal and chancery cases following their respective local rules.

Leave of Absence

A period of up to 30 consecutive days during which an attorney is not required to attend hearings or depositions, provided they have filed proper notice.

General Sessions Appeal

A case moved from General Sessions to Circuit Court, automatically scheduled for trial on the first day of the next session.

Tennessee Pattern Jury Instruction

Standard instructions cited as 'TPI (Civil) No. _____' used when requesting specific charges for a jury.

Non-Minute Entry Orders

Orders like scheduling or trial settings that are placed in the file but not spread upon the formal minutes of the court.

Irreconcilable Differences

A ground for divorce allowing cases to be submitted by affidavit and agreement without an in-person appearance.

Child Support Worksheet

A mandatory document that must be attached to all initial or modified child support orders.

Pendente Lite

A term referring to relief, such as child support or alimony, granted temporarily while a case is pending a final hearing.

UCCJEA

Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act; requires specific information regarding the child's residency history for the past 5 years in custody petitions.

In Forma Pauperis

A status allowing an individual to prosecute a case without paying fees, costs, or bonds upfront, based on a sworn oath.

Dismissal for Want of Prosecution

The removal of a case from the docket by court order when the parties have failed to advance the case within the required time standards.