Shelby County Circuit Court

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PLAN TO RE-OPEN IN-COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR MEMPHIS, SHELBY COUNTY, TN COURTS

Civil Courts Plans
Circuit Court Plan

 

On May 14, 2021, the Tennessee Supreme Court issued Order Modifying Capacity, Distancing and Facial Covering Requirements which: (1) reduced the required distance between persons in the courtroom from six feet to three feet; (2) removed courtroom capacity limits; and (3) lifted the facial covering requirement. Although the use of facial coverings will no longer be required, continued use of facial coverings in compliance with current CDC guidelines is strongly encouraged.

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Jury Trial Suspension Order

Updated 04/08/2021:

Shelby County Circuit Court will resume jury trials on May 17, 2021, subject to juror availability. Because the pandemic continues, Circuit Court will stagger start dates among the divisions to ensure the safety and well-being of all personnel, attorneys, litigants, jurors, and witnesses. Please contact the individual courtroom clerk and consult the division website preference page for more information.


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The Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is practicing social distancing for the safety of the public and our staff. Please use e-filing and we have installed a Dropbox* located outside of RM 224 on the second floor.
  

*If you leave any filings in the Dropbox, make sure they are in a sealed envelope with your name, case number, a contact number and an email address(if possible) written on it. 
  
 Please stay safe and maintain social distancing.

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***Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium Update (15-Mar-2021)*** 
Per the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee: "The CDC residential eviction moratorium exceeds the statutory authority of the Public Health Act, 42 U.S.C. § 264 and is unenforceable in the Western District of Tennessee."

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Notice of Change to Service Requirements For Summons or Complaints to an Insurance Company

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Uncontested Divorces and Motions webpages are now accessible but have a maximum number of cases per day.   Please check divisions preferences.


If no preferences are posted, contact the division clerk via that divisions email.


*Contact information for individual divisions is provided on this website.  
   


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Notice of Supreme Court's Order 
 Suspension of In-Person Court Proceedings and Extension of Deadlines



 5-14-21 TSC Covid-19 Order

 02-12-21 TSC Order Modifying and Partially Lifting Suspension of In Person Court Proceedings
 
01-15-21 TSC Order Modifying and Partially Lifting Suspension of In Person Court Proceedings

 12-22-20 TSC Continuation Order
 
12-7-20 TSC Continuation Order
 
11-17-20 TSC Continuation Order
 
05-26-20 TSC Continuation Order

 04-24-20 TSC Continuation Order

 03-25-20 TSC Continuation Order
 
03-13-20 TSC Order
 
With regard to deadlines, please refer to those Orders.


For more information: https://www.tncourts.gov


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 The Shelby County Circuit Court Clerk's Office is actively monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) and are coordinating with City, County, State, and Federal agencies. 



You, the people of Shelby County, are our number one priority.


 If you plan on visiting one of our offices and have symptoms of an illness, please contact our office via phone at (901) 222-3802 and we will attempt to service your court needs remotely to reduce the likelihood of spreading a contagion.


And remember to wash your hands.

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Organization and Responsibilities: 
 
 Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction consisting of nine judges presiding over nine divisions. The court hears a variety of civil cases, including: 



  • Appeals from lower courts 
  • Auto accident 
  • Breach of Contract
  • Certificate of Employability 
  • Condemnation 
  • Divorce 
  • Medical malpractice 
  • Minor settlement 
  • Name Change 
  • Personal injury 
  • Restoration of Citizenship
  • Worker's compensation 
  • Wrongful death 

 Approximately 5,500 cases are filed in Circuit Court annually.

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 Holiday Office Closures:

January 2, 2023 New Year’s Day
January 16, 2023 MLK Birthday
April 4, 2023 MLK Memorial Day
April 7, 2023 Good Friday
May 29, 2023 Memorial Day
June 19, 2023 Juneteenth Day
July 4, 2023 Independence Day
September 4, 2023 Labor Day
November 10, 2023 Veterans Day
November 23, 2023 Thanksgiving Day
November 24, 2023 Day after Thanksgiving
December 25, 2023 Christmas Eve
December 26, 2023 Christmas Day