How do I file a civil lawsuit with the General Sessions Court and what is the process?
• The Clerk’s office provides the necessary preprinted forms. • The form is completed with needed information, such as: the defendant’s name and address to obtain personal service on the defendant(s), and state a cause of action. • The summons must sufficiently state the causes of action so as to give the defendant notice of the charge he is to meet and enable him to prepare a defense . • The filing fees are paid to the clerk’s office. • The clerk’s office forwards the summons to the requested server toallow for the attempt of service to be made on the defendant(s). • The server will set a court date upon successful attempt of service. * The server shall return the process back to the clerk’s office. • A hearing will be held before a General Sessions Court Judge to render a decision in the matter. • Judgment entries are final ten days from the date of entry. • Collection procedures may commence after this period of time.
