Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-501 (2026)
Inferior courts - Supervisory control
✓ current as of May 2026
In order to ensure the harmonious, efficient and uniform operation of the judicial system of the state, the supreme court is granted and clothed with general supervisory control over all the inferior courts of the state.
Acts 1970, ch. 422, § 1; T.C.A., § 16-330.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 17
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1982–2024 · leading case: Teague v. State, 772 S.W.2d 932 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988).
Teague v. State, 772 S.W.2d 932 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988). “T.C.A. § 16-3-501. Thus, while the broad language of Rounsaville and Gilam would indicate that failure to fully comply with Mackey can be the basis for relief, that relief cannot be granted in a post-conviction relief proceeding, since only errors of constitutional dimension are…”
Ex Parte James, 836 So. 2d 813 (Ala. 2002). “"); Tenn.Code § 16-3-501 (1994) (stating that the Tennessee Supreme Court "is hereby granted and clothed with general supervisory control over all the inferior courts of the state").”
Judith Moore-Pennoyer v. State of Tennessee, 515 S.W.3d 271 (Tenn. 2017). “§ 16-3-504 (2009), and its “general supervisory control over all the inferior courts of the [S]tate,” id § 16-3-501. And the General Assembly has expressly recognized that these powers are not a matter of legislative largess but derive from “the common law as it existed at the…”
Evans v. Wilson, 776 S.W.2d 939 (Tenn. 1989). “In the exercise of our inherent and statutory supervisory authority, T.C.A. §§ 16-3-501 to 16-3-504, we hold that a trial judge in suggesting an additur, must establish a time frame in which the defendant may accept the suggestion.”
Housler v. State, 749 S.W.2d 758 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988). “TCA § 16-3-501. Thus, while the broad language of Rounsaville and Gilam would indicate that failure to fully comply with Mackey can be the basis for relief, that relief cannot be granted in a post-conviction relief proceeding, since only errors of constitutional dimension are…”
In Re Bell, 344 S.W.3d 304 (Tenn. 2011). “The General Assembly has recognized that this Court has “general supervisory control over all the inferior courts of the state,” Tenn.Code Ann. § 16-3-501 (2009), and that this inherent, plenary power derives from the common law and not from the General Assembly.”
STATE of Tennessee v. Kermit PENLEY, Jama Penley, 67 S.W.3d 828 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2001). “See Tenn.Code Ann. § 16-3-501 (1994) (supreme court empowered “with general supervisory control over all the inferior courts of the state”).”
State v. Brown, 644 S.W.2d 418 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1982). “TCA § 16-3-501. Among the enumerated powers is the power to “designate and assign temporarily any judge or chancellor to hold .”
Clippard v. Russell (In Re Russell), 392 B.R. 315 (Bankr. E.D. Tenn. 2008). “Respondent contends a Complaint is certainly warranted to the Supreme Court who had Plenary Power for supervisory control over lower courts to take action under T.C.A. 16-3-501 and 16-3-504. Respondent, contends she refuses to allow a Judicial Official or anyone to disrespect…”
Alabama Coalition for Equity, Inc. v. James, 836 So. 2d 813 (Ala. 2002). “”); Tenn.Code § 16-3-501 (1994) (stating that the Tennessee Supreme Court “is hereby granted and clothed with general supervisory control over all the inferior courts of the state”).”
Brice Cook v. State of Tennessee (Tenn. 2020). “2017) (citing cases); see also Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-501 (2009) (describing this Court’s “general supervisory control over all the inferior courts of the [S]tate”); id.”
Nashville Cmty. Bail Fund, The v. Howard Gentry (M.D. Tenn. 2020). “5 Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-501 . Criminal 5 For example, the Tennessee Supreme Court, relying on its “constitutional, statutory, and inherent authority,” recently entered an Order suspending most “in-person proceedings in all state and local courts court vacancies are filled by a…”
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