Tennessee § 16-15-729 - Trial de novo on appeal — Decision on merits.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-15-729 — Trial de novo on appeal — Decision on merits., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-15-729. Trial de novo on appeal — Decision on merits.
No civil case, originating in a general sessions court and carried to a higher court, shall be dismissed by such court for any informality whatever, but shall be tried on its merits; and the court shall allow all amendments in the form of action, the parties thereto, or the statement of the cause of action, necessary to reach the merits, upon such terms as may be deemed just and proper. The trial shall be de novo, including damages. Code 1858, § 4177 (deriv. Acts 1851-1852, ch. 100, § 2); Shan., § 5989; mod. Code 1932, § 10190; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-425; Acts 1993, ch. 241, § 46; T.C.A., § 19-1-118 ; Acts 1995, ch. 418, § 1. Compiler's Notes. References in some of the annotations for this section to “justices of the peace” are deemed references to “courts of general sessions” or “judges of courts of general sessions.” See Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3. Cross-References. Correction of formal errors on appeal, § 20-11-108 . Textbooks. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 1 Tenn. Juris., Amendments, §§ 2, 7, 9, 14, 17; 2 Tenn. Juris., Appeal and Error, § 50; 17 Tenn. Juris., Justices of Peace and General Sessions Courts, §§ 27, 41, 43. Law Reviews. The Pauper's Oath in Appeals From General Sessions Court (Robert A. Lanier), 19 No. 2 Tenn. B.J. 17 (1983). Cited: Red Boiling Springs v. Whitley, 777 S.W.2d 706, 1989 Tenn. App. LEXIS 457 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1989); Steve Frost Agency v. Spurlock, 859 S.W.2d 337, 1993 Tenn. App. LEXIS 213 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1993); Morris v. Clarksville-Montgomery County Consol. Bd. of Educ., 867 S.W.2d 324, 1993 Tenn. App. LEXIS 511 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1993); Auto Credit of Nashville v. Wimmer, 231 S.W.3d 896, 2007 Tenn. LEXIS 642 (Tenn. Aug. 16, 2007); McPherson v. Shea Ear Clinic, — S.W.3d —, 2007 Tenn. App. LEXIS 265 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr. 27, 2007); McGee v. Jacobs, 236 S.W.3d 162, 2007 Tenn. App. LEXIS 320 (Tenn. Ct. App. May 18, 2007); West v. AMISUB (SFH), Inc., — S.W.3d —, 2013 Tenn. App. LEXIS 191 (Tenn. Ct. App. Mar. 21, 2013).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 16-15-729
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-15-729 cover?
Section 16-15-729 ("Trial de novo on appeal — Decision on merits.") 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 § 16-15-729?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-15-729" (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 § 16-15-729 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.