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Judicial Resources
This section of the website offers information, forms and other resources for judges, clerks and administrative staff for the Tennessee court system. For additional assistance or questions, please contact the Administrative Office of the Courts at 615-741-2687.
JUDICIAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
When there is a trial or appellate court vacancy, the official notice will be posted on this site.
Appellate Court Vacancies
Where there is a vacancy to be filled on the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Governor's Council for Judicial Appointments reviews and recommends applicants for the governor’s consideration. The governor may then appoint one of the recommended applicants to fill the vacancy. Appellate court judges also must be confirmed by the Legislature.
For more information about the nomination process, please read the instructions.
To apply for an APPELLATE COURT vacancy, interested candidates must complete the application and waiver. The application and waiver can be downloaded below.
Governor's Council for Judicial Appointments Application - Word
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Trial Court Vacancies
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission recommends to the governor nominees for trial court vacancies. After the governor has notified the commission of a vacancy, the commission solicits applicants, conducts a public hearing and interviews, and selects three nominees for consideration by the governor.
For more information about the nomination process, please read the instructions.
To apply for a TRIAL COURT vacancy, interested candidates must complete the application and waiver. The application and waiver can be downloaded below.
Trial Court Vacancy Commission Application - Word
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CURRENT VACANCIES
16th Judicial District - Circuit Court
21st Judicial District - Circuit Court
13th Judicial District - Criminal Court
19th Judicial District - Circuit Court
22nd Judicial District - Circuit Court
RECENTLY FILLED
7th Judicial District - Chancellor
Court of Criminal Appeals - Western Section
20th Judicial District - Circuit Court
11th Judicial District - Criminal Court
6th Judicial District - Criminal Court
Court of Criminal Appeals - Eastern Section (2)
Court of Appeals - Middle Section
Tennessee Supreme Court - Eastern and Middle Divisions
Court of Criminal Appeals - Western Division
3rd Judicial District - Circuit Court
7th Judicial District - Circuit Court
10th Judicial District - Circuit Court
14th Judicial District - Circuit Court Part I
19th Judicial District - Circuit Court, Division IV
19th Judicial District - Circuit Court, Part I
24th Judicial District - Circuit Court, Part I
25th Judicial District - Circuit Court
26th Judicial District - Chancery Court
26th Judicial District - Chancery Court
QUALIFICATIONS FOR JUDICIAL OFFICE
Supreme Court judges must be residents of the state for five years before their election. Tenn. Const., Art. VI, Sec. 3; T.C.A. § 16-3-101(c). No more than two members of the Supreme Court may reside in any one of the grand divisions of the state. Tenn. Const., Art. VI, Sec. 2; T.C.A. § 16-3-101. Each candidate shall reside in the grand division for which the candidate is elected and the two at large judges cannot reside in the same grand division. T.C.A. § 16-3-101(b). A judge of the Supreme Court shall be thirty-five (35) years of age. T.C.A § 17-1-101.
Judges of inferior courts, which include the intermediate appellate courts and state trial courts, must have been residents of the state for five years before their election and of the circuit or district for one year before their election. Tenn. Const., Art. VI, Sec. 4; T.C.A. § 16-4-102; T.C.A. § 16-5-102. Of the twelve judges of the Court of Appeals and Court of Criminal Appeals, no more than four may reside in one grand division. T.C.A. § 16-4-102 and T.C.A. § 16-5-102. Each state court judge and chancellor must reside in the judicial district for which the judge or chancellor is elected. T.C.A. § 17-1-102. Each judge shall be at least thirty (30) years of age. T.C.A. § 17-1-101. Each judge shall be licensed to practice law. T.C.A. §§ 16-4-102 and 16-5-102.