IN THE GENERAL SESSIONS COURT FOR [COUNTY] COUNTY, TENNESSEE

SMALL CLAIMS DIVISION

Case No.: _______

SMALL CLAIMS COMPLAINT FOR MONETARY DAMAGES

(T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)(1) – Jurisdictional Limit; T.C.A. § 27-5-101 – Appeal Rights)

[// GUIDANCE: Use this form for claims that do not exceed the current Tennessee General Sessions monetary cap of $25,000 (exclusive of interest and allowable court costs). Verify the limit at time of filing. This template is litigation-ready but should be reviewed for county-specific filing requirements (e.g., civil warrant forms, summons issuance, filing fees).]

I. DOCUMENT HEADER

1. Plaintiff: [PLAINTIFF LEGAL NAME], an individual residing at [FULL ADDRESS], (“Plaintiff”).
2. Defendant: [DEFENDANT LEGAL NAME], an individual (or entity) whose principal address is [FULL ADDRESS], (“Defendant”).
3. Governing Law & Forum: This action is brought pursuant to Tennessee state law in the General Sessions Court, Small Claims Division, which possesses subject-matter jurisdiction under T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)(1).
4. Amount in Controversy: $[CLAIM AMOUNT] (not to exceed $25,000, exclusive of interest and costs).
5. Nature of Claim: Monetary damages arising from [BRIEF DESCRIPTION—e.g., “breach of contract,” “property damage,” “unpaid loan,” etc.].
6. Filing Date: __, 20___ (the “Effective Date”).

II. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Complaint, capitalized terms have the meanings set forth below:
A. “Claim” means Plaintiff’s demand for monetary relief as detailed in Section III.
B. “Court” means the General Sessions Court for [COUNTY] County, Tennessee, Small Claims Division.
C. “Interest” means prejudgment and post-judgment interest allowable by law.
D. “Judgment Amount” means the sum of (i) the Claim Amount, (ii) court costs, and (iii) any Interest awarded by the Court.

III. OPERATIVE ALLEGATIONS

1. Parties & Standing
   a. Plaintiff is competent to sue and has suffered financial harm.
   b. Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction in this County because [STATE BASIS—e.g., “the transaction occurred in this County,” “Defendant resides/does business here,” etc.].
2. Jurisdiction & Venue
   a. The Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)(1).
   b. Venue is proper under T.C.A. § 20-4-101 because [BASIS—e.g., “the cause of action arose in this County”].
3. Statement of Facts
   a. On or about __, 20_, Plaintiff and Defendant entered into [DESCRIBE AGREEMENT OR TRANSACTION].
   b. Plaintiff fully performed all obligations, including [LIST KEY PERFORMANCE ITEMS].
   c. Defendant failed to [PERFORMANCE FAILURE—e.g., “pay $____ when due,” “repair property,” etc.].
   d. As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s actions, Plaintiff has incurred damages in the amount of $[CLAIM AMOUNT], plus Interest.
4. Cause(s) of Action
   Count One – [SELECT: Breach of Contract / Negligence / Unjust Enrichment / Property Damage / Other Claim]
   a. Plaintiff realleges Paragraphs 1-3 as if fully set forth herein.
   b. [PLEAD ELEMENTS OF CLAIM in concise, numbered sub-paragraphs.]
5. Damages
   Plaintiff has sustained ascertainable monetary losses of $[CLAIM AMOUNT], together with statutory Interest and court costs, all within the jurisdictional limits of this Court.

IV. PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in favor of Plaintiff and against Defendant as follows:
1. Awarding monetary damages in the principal amount of $[CLAIM AMOUNT];
2. Awarding pre- and post-judgment Interest at the statutory rate;
3. Awarding court costs and fees as permitted by law; and
4. Granting such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.

V. NOTICE REGARDING APPEAL RIGHTS

Either party may appeal a final judgment to the Circuit Court for [COUNTY] County within ten (10) calendar days after entry of judgment in accordance with T.C.A. § 27-5-101–103. Failure to perfect a timely appeal waives the right to a trial de novo in Circuit Court.

[// GUIDANCE: Courts often include this notice on the face of the judgment; including it here places Defendant on clear notice and helps forestall claims of procedural surprise.]

VI. VERIFICATION

I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing Complaint is true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

Date: ___, 20___

[PLAINTIFF NAME], Plaintiff

VII. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I certify that a true and exact copy of the foregoing Complaint was served upon:

Defendant: [DEFENDANT NAME]
Service Address: [FULL ADDRESS]

by [SELECT: ☐ Personal Service ☐ Certified Mail (Return Receipt Requested) ☐ Other Authorized Method (specify)] on the _ day of ___, 20___.

[NAME], [TITLE—e.g., Plaintiff / Plaintiff’s Agent / Attorney]

VIII. SIGNATURE BLOCK

Respectfully submitted,

[PLAINTIFF NAME]
Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP]
Telephone: [PHONE]
Email: [EMAIL]

—or—

[ATTORNEY NAME], BPR No. [####]
[LAW FIRM NAME]
Address: [STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP]
Telephone: [PHONE]
Email: [EMAIL]
Attorney for Plaintiff

[// GUIDANCE:
1. Summons / Civil Warrant – Most Tennessee counties require a General Sessions “Civil Warrant” to be completed and issued by the clerk contemporaneously with filing this Complaint. Attach or incorporate this narrative pleading as an exhibit if permitted.
2. Service of Process – Select a service method compliant with Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4 and local rules. The clerk may arrange service for an additional fee.
3. Damages Cap – If the amount sought later exceeds $25,000, the action must be transferred or re-filed in Circuit Court.
4. Evidence Preparation – Bring original documents, contracts, receipts, photographs, and witness testimony to the trial date; small-claims proceedings rely on concise, organized evidence presentation.
5. Mediation Option – Some counties offer voluntary mediation; inquire with the clerk for potential case-resolution advantages.]