Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-503 (2026)
Inherent power of court
✓ current as of May 2026
The general assembly declares that this part is declaratory of the common law as it existed at the time of the adoption of the constitution of Tennessee and of the power inherent in a court of last resort.
Acts 1970, ch. 422, § 3; T.C.A., § 16-332.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1982–2024 · leading case: Petition of Burson, 909 S.W.2d 768 (Tenn. 1995).
Petition of Burson, 909 S.W.2d 768 (Tenn. 1995). “§ 23-3-101 (1994); Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 16-3-503 & 504 (1994); and Tennessee Supreme Court Rules 7, § 1.”
Van Tran v. State, 6 S.W.3d 257 (Tenn. 1999). “Indeed, Tenn.Code Ann. §§ 16-3-503 and -504 (1994) broadly confer upon this Court all discretionary and inherent powers existing at common law at the time of the adoption of the state constitution.”
Judith Moore-Pennoyer v. State of Tennessee, 515 S.W.3d 271 (Tenn. 2017). “§ 16-3-503; see also In re Bell, 344 S.W.”
State v. Brown, 644 S.W.2d 418 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1982). “TCA § 16-3-503. As the state points out in its brief, to suggest that after the expiration of the sixty day time period that the Chief Justice could not designate a judge to hear the motion would be a finding that the motion could not be heard at all.”
Brian Philip Manookian v. Bd. of Prof'l Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee (Tenn. 2024). “(citing Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-503 ). This Court’s inherent power under the Tennessee Constitution includes the authority to regulate and supervise the practice of law in this State.”
Brice Cook v. State of Tennessee (Tenn. 2020). “§ 16-3-503 (declaring that the Supreme Court has “the power inherent in a court of last resort”); id.”
Heck Van Tran v. State of TN (Tenn. 1999). “Indeed, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 16-3-503 and -504 (1994) broadly confer upon this Court all discretionary and inherent powers existing at common law at the time of the adoption of the state constitution.”
William M. Woodside, & Billy E. & Mary Agnita Woodside v. Susan E. Woodside (Gilley) - Concurring (Tenn. Ct. App. 1995). “1973); Tenn. Code Ann. § 16-3-503 (1994). Only the Tennessee Supreme Court has the authority to promulgate rules governing the practice of law and the procedure to be followed in all courts of the state.”
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