The AOC does business with a number of related Boards and Commissions. These are listed below. Click on any item to see a membership listing.
Tennessee Supreme Court Access To Justice Commission
Supreme Court Rule 50 -- The Access To Justice Commission was created by the Supreme Court to develop a strategic plan for improving access to justice in Tennessee that shall include education of the public, identification of priorities to meet the need of improved access to justice, and recommendations to the Supreme Court of projects and programs the Commission determines to be necessary and appropriate for enhancing access to justice in Tennessee.
Judicial Information Systems Advisory Committee
Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-809 -- The Tennessee Judicial Information System Advisory Committee oversees the development and modification of application software for the judicial information system. Some members are appointed and others serve as a result of the positions they hold. The Supreme Court does not appoint members to this committee.
Tennessee Court Information Systems Steering Committee
Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-811 -- The Tennessee Court Information System Steering Committee works with the AOC to manage and control the scope of the TnCIS software development project. Members are appointed by multiple appointing authorities, not including the Supreme Court.
Tennessee Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Commission
Supreme Court Rule 31 -- The Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission administers the procedure for training and approving mediators for use by the courts pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 31, which established court-based alternative dispute resolution on a state-wide basis. The commission is responsible for evaluating the success of Rule 31 ADR proceedings and for suggesting rules and revisions in rules regarding alternative dispute resolution proceedings. The commission members are appointed by the Supreme Court.
Advisory Commission on the Rules of Practice & Procedure
Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-601 -- The Advisory Commission on the Rules of Practice and Procedure meets periodically to study and make recommendations as to court rules on practice and procedure. The commission members are appointed by the Supreme Court.
Board of Law Examiners
Tenn. Code Ann. § 23-1-101, Supreme Court Rule 7, § 12.01 --
The Board of Law Examiners assists the Supreme Court in licensing attorneys. The board, an administrator and staff are responsible for conducting the Tennessee Bar Examination. The board members are appointed by the Supreme Court.
Board of Court Reporting
Tenn. Code Ann. § 20-9-604 established the Tennessee Board of Court Reporting. Beginning July 1, 2010, court reporters must be licensed to engage in court reporting in the state of Tennessee. This board will issue court reporter licenses, conduct disciplinary inquiries for ethical violations, ensure completion of continuing education requirements and maintain a registry of court reporters.
Board of Professional Responsibility
Supreme Court Rule 9 -- The Board of Professional Responsibility investigates attorneys’ alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The board members are appointed by the Supreme Court. An administrator and staff serve the board.
Commission on Continuing Legal Education & Specialization
Supreme Court Rule 21 -- The Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization monitors CLE requirements and administers the specialization program for attorneys. The director and staff also serve the Tennessee Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. The commission members are appointed by the Supreme Court.
Court of the Judiciary
Tenn. Code Ann. § 17-5-201 -- The Court of the Judiciary was created by the legislature to investigate and, when warranted, act on complaints against judges. Members are appointed by multiple appointing authorities, including the Supreme Court. The appellate court clerk serves as clerk of the Court of the Judiciary.
Integrated Criminal Justice Steering Committee
Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-815 -- The Integrated Criminal Justice Steering Committee was created to “provide the governmental and technical information systems infrastructure necessary for accomplishing state and local government public safety and justice functions in the most effective manner, by appropriately and efficiently sharing criminal justice and juvenile justice information among law enforcement agencies, judicial agencies, corrections agencies, executive agencies and political subdivisions of the state.” The Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, or his/her designee, is a member of this committee.
Judicial Ethics Committee
Supreme Court Rule 10A -- The Judicial Ethics Committee issues formal ethics opinions requested by judges. Ethics opinions are available on this website or from the AOC. Members are appointed by the Supreme Court.
Judicial Nominating Commission
Tenn. Code Ann. Section 17-4-102 - The Judicial Nominating Commission reviews applicants for judicial vacancies on the state trial and appellate courts. From the applicants, the commission makes recommendations to the governor, who makes an appointment to fill the vacancy. Eight of the seventeen members of the commission are appointed by the Speaker of the Senate. Eight of the members are appointed by the Speaker of the House. One member is jointly appointed by the Speakers of the Senate and House.
Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission
Tenn. Code Ann. Section 17-4-201 - The Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission reviews the performance of appellate judges using surveys, interviews and other information, as required by the law. The Commission uses these evaluations to publish a report in which the Commission recommends the appellate judge for retention or for replacement. Of the nine members of the Commission, two are appointed by the Speaker of the Senate, two are appointed by the Speaker of the House and five are appointed by the Judicial Council.
Judicial Performance Program Committee
Supreme Court Rule 27 -- The Judicial Performance Program Committee administers the day-to-day operation of the Judicial Performance and Evaluation Program. It oversees appellate judge evaluations for self-improvement and provides information enabling the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission to perform objective evaluations and issue reports concerning the performance of appellate judges. Members are appointed by the Supreme Court.
State Law Library Commission
Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-4-101 -- The State Law Library Commission supervises state law libraries in the Nashville, Knoxville, and Jackson Supreme Court buildings. The libraries serve both the judiciary and the public. Members serve as a result of the positions they hold as opposed to being appointed.
Supreme Court Building Commissions
Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-701 -- The Supreme Court Building Commissions supervise and control the Nashville, Knoxville, and Jackson Supreme Court buildings. Members serve as a result of the positions they hold as opposed to being appointed.
Tennessee Code Commission
Tenn. Code Ann. § 1-1-101 -- The Tennessee Code Commission directs the publication, sale, and distribution of an official compilation of the statutes, codes, and laws of the state. Members serve as a result of the positions they hold as opposed to being appointed.
Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program
Supreme Court Rule 33 -- The Tennessee Lawyer Assistance Program assists lawyers, judges, bar applicants and law students who suffer from physical or mental disabilities that result from disease, disorder, trauma or age and that impair their ability to practice or serve. Members are appointed by the Supreme Court. An administrator and staff serve TLAP.
Tennessee Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection
Supreme Court Rule 25 -- The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection was established to reimburse claimants for losses caused by dishonest conduct committed by lawyers duly licensed to practice in this state. Members are appointed by the Supreme Court. The CLE Commission director and staff serve this group.