Tennessee § 29-16-123 - Action initiated by owner.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-16-123 — Action initiated by owner., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 29-16-123. Action initiated by owner.

If, however, such person or company has actually taken possession of such land, occupying it for the purposes of internal improvement, the owner of such land may petition for a jury of inquest, in which case the same proceedings may be had, as near as may be, as hereinbefore provided; or the owner may sue for damages in the ordinary way, in which case the jury shall lay off the land by metes and bounds and assess the damages, as upon the trial of an appeal from the return of a jury of inquest. Additionally, the court rendering a judgment for the plaintiff in a proceeding brought under subsection (a), arising out of a cause of action identical to a cause of action that can be brought against the United States under 28 U.S.C. § 1346(a)(2) or § 1491, or the attorney general or chief legal officer of a political subdivision of the state effecting a settlement of any such proceeding, shall determine and award or allow to such plaintiff, as a part of such judgment or settlement such sum as will in the opinion of the court, or the attorney general or chief legal officer of a political subdivision of the state reimburse such plaintiff for reasonable costs, disbursements and expenses, including reasonable attorney, appraisal, and engineering fees, actually incurred because of such proceeding. Code 1858, § 1347; Shan., § 1866; Code 1932, § 3131; Acts 1972, ch. 463, § 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 23-1423. Textbooks. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 1 Tenn. Juris., Adverse Possession, § 53; 2 Tenn. Juris., Appeal and Error, § 248; 10 Tenn. Juris., Eminent Domain, §§ 18, 27, 40, 44-66, 70; 18 Tenn. Juris., Limitations of Actions, § 34. Tennessee Law of Evidence (2nd ed., Cohen, Paine and Sheppeard), § 401.16. Law Reviews. Civil Procedure and Evidence — Tennessee Survey 1970 (Jerry J. Phillips), 38 Tenn. L. Rev. 127. Claims Against the State in Tennessee — The Board of Claims, 4 Vand. L. Rev. 875. Eminent Domain in Tennessee: Public Use, Just Compensation and the Landowner, 3 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 65. Equity — Condemnation — Statutory Remedy Excludes Equitable Relief, 33 Tenn. L. Rev. 235. Federal and State Condemnation Proceedings — Procedure and Statutory Background (William E. Miller), 14 Vand. L. Rev. 1085. Inverse Condemnation — Stream Pollution as Taking of Property for Public Use, 40 Tenn. L. Rev. 514. Real Property — 1956 Tennessee Survey (Herman L. Trautman), 9 Vand. L. Rev. 1089. Real Property — 1957 Tennessee Survey (Thomas G. Roady, Jr.), 10 Vand. L. Rev. 1188. Real Property — 1960 Tennessee Survey (Thomas G. Roady, Jr.), 13 Vand. L. Rev. 1241. Real Property — 1961 Tennessee Survey (Thomas G. Roady, Jr.), 14 Vand. L. Rev. 1387. Real Property — 1963 Tennessee Survey (Thomas G. Roady, Jr.), 17 Vand. L. Rev. 1124. Cited: Ray v. Oliphant, 1 Tenn. App. 219, — S.W. —, 1925 Tenn. App. LEXIS 35 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1925); Tennessee Eastern Electric Co. v. Link, 6 Tenn. App. 617, — S.W. —, 1926 Tenn. App. LEXIS 156 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1926); State ex rel. Moulton v. Williams, 207 Tenn. 695, 343 S.W.2d 857, 1961 Tenn. LEXIS 387 (1961); Williams v. McMinn County, 209 Tenn. 236, 352 S.W.2d 430, 1961 Tenn. LEXIS 372 (1961); United States v. 371.94 Acres of Land, 431 F.2d 975, 1970 U.S. App. LEXIS 7255 (6th Cir. Tenn. 1970); Jones v. Cocke County, 61 Tenn. App. 555, 456 S.W.2d 665, 1970 Tenn. App. LEXIS 302 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1970); Maple Manor Hotel, Inc. v. Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County, 543 S.W.2d 593, 1975 Tenn. App. LEXIS 159 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1975); Jones v. L & N R. Co., 617 S.W.2d 164, 1981 Tenn. App. LEXIS 497 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1981); Land Associates v. Metropolitan Airport Authority, 547 F. Supp. 1128, 1982 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14992 (M.D. Tenn. 1982); Williamson County Reg'l Planning Comm'n v. Hamilton Bank, 473 U.S. 172 , 105 S. Ct. 3108 , 87 L. Ed. 2 d 126, 1985 U.S. LEXIS 87 (1985); Jenkins v. Loudon County, 736 S.W.2d 603, 1987 Tenn. LEXIS 1084 (Tenn. 1987); Burchfield v. State, 774 S.W.2d 178, 1988 Tenn. App. LEXIS 624 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1988); Williams v. Nicely, 230 S.W.3d 385, 2007 Tenn. App. LEXIS 111 (Tenn. Ct. App. Feb. 28, 2007); Greenfield Land & Cattle Co. v. Greene County (In re Large), — S.W.3d —, 2009 Tenn. App. LEXIS 875 (Tenn. Ct. App. Dec. 28, 2009).

Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 29-16-123

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-16-123 cover?

Section 29-16-123 ("Action initiated by owner.") 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 § 29-16-123?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 29-16-123" (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 § 29-16-123 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.