Tennessee § 47-2-201 - Formal requirements — Statute of frauds.

Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 47-2-201 — Formal requirements — Statute of frauds., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 47-2-201. Formal requirements — Statute of frauds.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, a contract for sale of goods for the price of five hundred dollars ($500) or more is not enforceable by way of action or defense unless there is some writing or record sufficient to indicate that a contract for sale has been made between the parties and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought or by his authorized agent or broker. A writing or record is not insufficient because it omits or incorrectly states a term agreed upon but the contract is not enforceable under this paragraph beyond the quantity of goods shown in such writing or record. Between merchants if within a reasonable time a writing or record in confirmation of the contract and sufficient against the sender is received and the party receiving it has reason to know its contents, it satisfies the requirements of subsection (1) against such party unless written notice of objection to its contents is given within ten (10) days after it is received. A contract which does not satisfy the requirements of subsection (1) but which is valid in other respects is enforceable: if the goods are to be specially manufactured for the buyer and are not suitable for sale to others in the ordinary course of the seller's business and the seller, before notice of repudiation is received and under circumstances which reasonably indicate that the goods are for the buyer, has made either a substantial beginning of their manufacture or commitments for their procurement; or if the party against whom enforcement is sought admits in his pleading, testimony or otherwise in court that a contract for sale was made, but the contract is not enforceable under this provision beyond the quantity of goods admitted; or with respect to goods for which payment has been made and accepted or which have been received and accepted (§ 47-2-606). Acts 1963, ch. 81, § 1 (2-201); 1997, ch. 272, § 5. Prior Tennessee Law: § 47-1204. Textbooks. Tennessee Forms (Robinson, Ramsey and Harwell), No. 1-8.03-19. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 6 Tenn. Juris., Commercial Law, §§ 3, 8, 10; 7 Tenn. Juris., Contracts, § 14; 11 Tenn. Juris., Evidence, § 130. Law Reviews. The E-Sign Act: A Move in the Right Direction and a Boost for E-Commerce (Daniel W. Van Horn), 37 No. 2 Tenn. B.J. 14 (2001). Cited: Lindsey v. Stein Bros. & Boyce, Inc., 222 Tenn. 149, 433 S.W.2d 669, 1968 Tenn. LEXIS 418 (1968); Studley & Millard Machine Co. v. Endsley Marble Co., 497 S.W.2d 927, 1973 Tenn. App. LEXIS 303 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1973); Hardin v. Cliff Pettit Motors, Inc., 407 F. Supp. 297, 1976 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16945 (E.D. Tenn. 1976); In re Morristown Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., 25 B.R. 377, 1982 Bankr. LEXIS 2893 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 1982); Allenberg Cotton Co. v. Woods, 640 S.W.2d 543, 1982 Tenn. LEXIS 350 (Tenn. 1982); Hudson v. Town & Country True Value Hardware, Inc., 666 S.W.2d 51, 1984 Tenn. LEXIS 919 (Tenn. 1984); In re Phillips, 77 B.R. 648, 1987 Bankr. LEXIS 1539 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 1987); Massey v. Hardcastle, 753 S.W.2d 127, 1988 Tenn. App. LEXIS 189 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1988); Talkington v. Anchor Gasoline Corp., 821 F. Supp. 505, 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6886 (M.D. Tenn. 1993); McLemore v. Powell, 968 S.W.2d 799, 1997 Tenn. App. LEXIS 541 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997); In re Music City RV, LLC, 304 S.W.3d 806, 2010 Tenn. LEXIS 86 (Tenn. Feb. 12, 2010); Brooks Cotton Co. v. Williams, 381 S.W.3d 414, 2012 Tenn. App. LEXIS 262 (Tenn. Ct. App. Apr. 23, 2012).

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 47-2-201

What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 47-2-201 cover?

Section 47-2-201 ("Formal requirements — Statute of frauds.") 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 § 47-2-201?

A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 47-2-201" (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 § 47-2-201 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.