Clerk & Master

Chancery Court is a court of equity that hears Tennessee constitutional issues, contract disputes, employment lawsuits, construction, real property and commercial litigation, applications for receivership and liquidation of insurance companies, state tax disputes, workers compensation, local governmental actions including appeals from a variety of local boards and commissions, applications for injunctions, writs of certiorari, emancipation of minors, and name changes.

The Clerk and Master was created as a constitutional office in the judicial branch of government pursuant to Article VI, §13 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee (1870). The Clerk and Master is appointed by the chancellors for a six (6) year term.

The office administers the docket, calendar and permanent records as directed by the chancellors or required by law. It sells real and personal property, and deposits and remits judgment funds pursuant to court order and statute as an arm of the court. The office calculates and collects court costs; it holds funds in trust and disburses them as ordered.

The role of the office is also judicial. The Clerk and Master hears several cases throughout the year. These include partitions, delinquent tax disputes, ownership of property held by the state, partnership accountings, factual and legal questions in receivership cases, or any other matter referred by a chancellor.