Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 (2026)
General power of courts
✓ current as of May 2026
- (a) Courts of record within their respective jurisdictions have the power to declare rights, status, and other legal relations whether or not further relief is or could be claimed.
- (b) No action or proceeding shall be open to objection on the ground that a declaratory judgment or decree is prayed for.
- (c) The declaration may be either affirmative or negative in form and effect; and such declaration shall have the force and effect of a final judgment or decree.
Acts 1923, ch. 29, § 1; Shan. Supp., § 4726a1; Code 1932, §8835; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 23-1102.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 88
cases (13 in the last 5 years), 1985–2026 · leading case: In Re Est. of Ina Ruth Brown, 402 S.W.3d 193 (Tenn. 2013).
In Re Est. of Ina Ruth Brown, 402 S.W.3d 193 (Tenn. 2013). “§ 32-4-109 (2009), declaratory judgment actions, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 (2012), and actions for breach of oral or written contracts, see Tenn.”
Highwoods Props., Inc. v. City of Memphis, 297 S.W.3d 695 (Tenn. 2009). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 (a) (2000). The Act also conveys the power to construe or determine the validity of any written instrument, statute, ordinance, contract, or franchise, provided that the case is within the court’s jurisdiction.”
In Re Baby, 447 S.W.3d 807 (Tenn. 2014). “Like any other contract, surrogacy contracts are subject to these defenses, which may be raised in an independent declaratory judgment action, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 (2012), or as a defense in an action brought by another party to enforce the contract, see In re F.”
Bob Fannon, Individually & as a City Councilman for the City of LaFollette v. City of LaFollotte, 329 S.W.3d 418 (Tenn. 2010). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 (2000); see also Tenn.”
Workman v. State, 41 S.W.3d 100 (Tenn. 2001). “Declaratory Judgment Additionally, Workman filed a complaint for declaratory judgment under Tenn.Code Ann. § 29-14-102(a), which provides that "[c]ourts of record within their respective jurisdictions have the power to declare rights, status and other legal relations whether or…”
Colonial Pipeline Co. v. Morgan, 263 S.W.3d 827 (Tenn. 2008). “Tenn.Code Ann. § 29-14-103 (2000). Of particular relevance to this case, the Act provides that “[a]ny person .”
L.L. Bean, Inc. v. Bracey, 817 S.W.2d 292 (Tenn. 1991). “Bean cited as grounds for the chancery court’s jurisdiction the following: T.C.A. §§ 29-14-102, T.C.A. §§ 4-5-223 and 4-5-224, 42 U.”
Craig Robert Nunn v. Tennessee Dep't of Corr., 547 S.W.3d 163 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017). “4 Nunn’s complaint described his suit as one “for declaratory relief pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 [Tennessee’s Declaratory Judgment Act] and a violation of civil rights pursuant to 42 U.”
Paduch v. City of Johnson City, 896 S.W.2d 767 (Tenn. 1995). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 (a) (1980) provides: Courts of record within their respective jurisdictions shall have the power to declare rights, status, and other legal relations whether or not further relief is or could be claimed.”
City of Memphis v. Shelby Cnty., Tennessee, 469 S.W.3d 531 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2015). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 (a). A party “whose rights, status, or other legal relations are affected by a statute .”
Hall v. McLesky, 83 S.W.3d 752 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2002). “§ 29-14-102. We note, however, that the courts of Tennessee are prohibited from entertaining an action for declaratory judgment against a state officer under this statute.”
Memphis Bonding Co., Inc. v. Crim. Court of Tennessee 30th Dist., 490 S.W.3d 458 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2015). “statutes give to courts of record the power to declare rights, status and other legal relations within their respective jurisdictions, but do not confer subject matter jurisdiction.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102(1980) — 1 case
N. Telecom, Inc. v. Taylor, 781 S.W.2d 837 (Tenn. 1989).
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102(a) — 10 cases
Workman v. State, 41 S.W.3d 100 (Tenn. 2001). “Declaratory Judgment Additionally, Workman filed a complaint for declaratory judgment under Tenn.Code Ann. § 29-14-102(a), which provides that "[c]ourts of record within their respective jurisdictions have the power to declare rights, status and other legal relations whether or…”
Highwoods Props., Inc. v. City of Memphis, 297 S.W.3d 695 (Tenn. 2009). “Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-14-102 (a) (2000). The Act also conveys the power to construe or determine the validity of any written instrument, statute, ordinance, contract, or franchise, provided that the case is within the court’s jurisdiction.”
Spencer v. Cardwell, 937 S.W.2d 422 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1996).
Williams v. Nicely, 230 S.W.3d 385 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007).
Heath v. Creson, 949 S.W.2d 690 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997).
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