Tennessee § 20-12-120 - Security given by plaintiff.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-12-120 — Security given by plaintiff., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 20-12-120. Security given by plaintiff.
No leading process shall issue from any court without security being given by the party at whose instance the action is brought for the successful prosecution of the party's action, and, in case of failure, for the payment of court costs and taxes that may be awarded against the party, unless in cases and instances specially excepted. Code 1858, § 3187 (deriv. Acts 1787, ch. 19, § 1); Shan., § 4923; mod. Code 1932, § 9075; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 20-1622; Acts 1994, ch. 967, § 1; 1999, ch. 191, § 1. Cross-References. Bond given by plaintiff, § 20-2-102 . Textbooks. Gibson's Suits in Chancery (7th ed., Inman), § 123. Tennessee Forms (Robinson, Ramsey and Harwell), Nos. 1-4-2, 1-4-3. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 2 Tenn. Juris., Appeal and Error, § 81; 10 Tenn. Juris., Ejectment, § 29. Law Reviews. Recent Developments — Domestic Relations — Divorce — Due Process for Indigent Plaintiffs, 47 Tenn. L. Rev. 845. Cited: In re Barrett, 132 F. 362, 1904 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 133 (D. Tenn. 1904); Kelley v. Byington, 185 Tenn. 421, 206 S.W.2d 409, 1947 Tenn. LEXIS 347 (1947); McCalla v. Nelson, 44 Tenn. App. 164, 313 S.W.2d 462, 1956 Tenn. App. LEXIS 172 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1956); Brotherton v. Solomon, 307 F. Supp. 1325, 1970 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13258 (E.D. Tenn. 1970); A'La v. Tennessee Dep't of Correction, 914 S.W.2d 914, 1995 Tenn. App. LEXIS 596 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1995); Jacob v. Partee, 389 S.W.3d 339, 2012 Tenn. App. LEXIS 555 (Tenn. Ct. App. Aug. 10, 2012).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 20-12-120
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-12-120 cover?
Section 20-12-120 ("Security given by plaintiff.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 20-12-120?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-12-120" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 20-12-120 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.