Court of Appeals

Organization

The Court of Appeals is the appellate court for civil cases in Tennessee and consists of 12 judges, of whom not more than four shall reside in one grand division. T.C.A. § 16-4-102. An appellate judge must be 30 years old, a Tennessee resident for five years, and admitted to practice law in Tennessee. T.C.A. § 16-4-102. This court sits in sections of three judges each in Knoxville, Nashville and Jackson, and hears and decides cases as if all 12 members were present. T.C.A. § 16-4-113. When sitting in sections of three, the concurrence of two judges is sufficient for a decision and is treated as if the entire court had participated. T.C.A. § 16-4-109.  When sitting en banc (all 12 judges), the concurrence of seven judges is necessary for a decision. When two sections (eight judges) are sitting, concurrence of five judges is necessary for a decision. T.C.A. § 16-4-109. This court sits in sections concurrently in Knoxville, Nashville and Jackson as ordered by the presiding judge for such time as the court deems necessary for the dispatch of its business. T.C.A. § 16-4-112.  

Jurisdiction

The court has only appellate jurisdiction and no original jurisdiction.  The appellate jurisdiction extends to all civil cases, except those statutorily authorized for direct appeal to the Supreme Court.  The court has appellate jurisdiction over civil or criminal contempt arising out of a civil matter. T.C.A. § 16-4-108.