Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee Title 0310 - Claims Commission
Here’s an organized summary of Tennessee Title 0310 – Claims Commission, outlining its purpose, structure, and key procedural rules:
📘 Chapter 0310‑01‑01: Rules of Procedure (§ .01–.73)
Applicability & Scope
Claims Commission proceedings follow the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure (TRCP) and Rules of Evidence, except where modified by Chapter 0310‑01‑01 regulations. (law.cornell.edu)
The goal is a just, speedy, and inexpensive determination. (law.cornell.edu)
Commencing a Claim
Tax claims: file original complaint + two copies with the Clerk.
Other claims: start with a written notice of claim to the Division of Claims & Risk Management per T.C.A. § 9‑8‑402. (law.cornell.edu)
After the 90-day statutory “settlement period,” unresolved claims transfer automatically to the Claims Commission, and the claimant must file a complaint compliant with TRCP rules. (law.cornell.edu)
Dockets & Case Management
Small Claims Docket (for ≤ jurisdictional monetary limits): generally handled via affidavits, no formal hearings unless requested. TRCP 3 and 36, etc., are modified. (law.cornell.edu)
Regular Docket (larger claims): treated like non-jury trials—evidence, testimony, court reporter required. (bwp.tnble.org)
Discovery & Filings
Interrogatories capped at 30 questions unless otherwise ordered. (law.cornell.edu)
Requests for admission follow TRCP 36, with added formatting rules. (law.cornell.edu)
Chapter 0310‑01‑02: Electronic Filing (§ .01–.10)
Definitions (§ .02)
Important terms include: “E-file”, “E-filer”, “E-filing System”, “Electronic Signature” (“s/Name”), “E-service”, “Portable Document Format (PDF)”, “Registered User”, “Transaction Receipt”, and “User Guide.” (regulations.justia.com)
Filing & Service Procedures (§ .08)
E‑filing specifics:
A document is filed upon transmission, with an email Transaction Receipt as proof.
The Clerk reviews submissions; if rejected (formatting or fee issues), there's a 48-hour grace to correct without losing date stamp.
Accepted filings receive an “Electronically Filed/[date/time]” stamp. (regulations.justia.com)
Format & Signatures:
Files must be PDF, text-searchable, directly converted—not scanned, except for exhibits.
Electronic signatures (s/Name) are binding. For documents requiring notarization, original signed copies must be maintained by the filer and made available if requested. (regulations.justia.com)
Fees & Timing:
Filing fees must be paid electronically or beforehand.
Submissions by 11:59 PM CST count as filed that day. (regulations.justia.com)
⚖️ Administrative Context & Jurisdiction
The Claims Commission operates under T.C.A. §§ 9‑8‑301–310 and is housed within the Treasury Department. (treasury.tn.gov)
It adjudicates:
State employee workers’ comp claims
Criminal Injuries Compensation appeals
Tort claims (e.g., negligence, highway conditions, malpractice)
Contract claims and tax refunds under protest
Damage caps: $300,000 per claimant and $1,000,000 per occurrence. (treasury.tn.gov, law.cornell.edu)
Commissioners may convene en banc in case of disagreement. (bwp.tnble.org)
They possess judicial powers: subpoenas, discovery orders, motions, findings, etc.
Cases can be removed to circuit/chancery courts with AG approval. (bwp.tnble.org)
🗓️ Effective Dates & Updates
Chapter 0310‑01‑01 dates to 1986, revised 1992; current version is effective as of August 8, 2019. (law.cornell.edu)
Chapter 0310‑01‑02 was filed May 10, 2019, effective August 8, 2019, and current through March 23, 2025. (law.cornell.edu)
✅ Summary Table
Topic
Key Provisions
Procedure
Follows TRCP/Evidence with modifications
Starting Claims
Written notice → 90-day settlement → complaint filed
Dockets
Small (affidavits) vs. Regular (trial-style)
E‑Filing
Mandatory PDF, electronic signatures, fee/payment rules
Jurisdiction
Broad: torts, workers’ comp, criminal injury, contracts, tax
Limits
$300K per person / $1M per incident
Commission Powers
Full judicial authority, en banc reviews, appeals, removals
👣 Next Steps
Download the official Tennessee Secretary of State PDFs for Chapters 0310‑01‑01 and 0310‑01‑02 to view the full rule text.
Focus on filing methods—especially for e-filing, signature standards, and timestamps.
Ensure proper pre-filing: written notice to the Division, full compliance with deadlines and dockets.
Understand jurisdiction limits & removal rights, especially for complex claims.
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