No civil case, originating in a general sessions court and carried to a higher court, shall be dismissed by such court for any informality whatever, but shall be tried on its merits; and the court shall allow all amendments in the form of action, the parties thereto, or the statement of the cause of action, necessary to reach the merits, upon such terms as may be deemed just and proper. The trial shall be de novo, including damages.
Code 1858, § 4177 (deriv. Acts 1851-1852, ch. 100, § 2); Shan., § 5989; mod. Code 1932, § 10190; impl. am. Acts 1979, ch. 68, §§ 2, 3; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 19-425; Acts 1993, ch. 241, § 46; T.C.A., § 19-1-118; Acts 1995, ch. 418, § 1.
Structure 2021 Tennessee Code
Chapter 15 - Courts of General Sessions
Part 7 - Miscellaneous Provisions
§ 16-15-701. Electronic Filing
§ 16-15-706. Infants or Incompetents — Representation
§ 16-15-707. Plaintiffs — Nonsuits — Dismissals
§ 16-15-710. Commencement of Actions — New Process When Not Served
§ 16-15-712. Enforcement of Judgments — Examination of Judgment Debtor and Others
§ 16-15-714. Pleadings and Practice — General Sessions Courts
§ 16-15-721. Rules of Evidence — Application
§ 16-15-723. Proceedings After Attachment
§ 16-15-725. Judgment for Defendant on Setoff
§ 16-15-728. Proceedings Presumed Valid
§ 16-15-729. Trial De Novo on Appeal — Decision on Merits
§ 16-15-730. Presumption of Regularity of Execution