Tenn. Code Ann. » Tenn. Code / Title 8 / Chapter 47
Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-47-115 (2026)

Pleadings

✓ current as of May 2026
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The petition and answer shall constitute the only pleadings allowed, and all allegations in the answer shall be deemed controverted, and any and all questions as to the sufficiency of the petition or complaint shall be raised and determined upon the trial of the case, and if such petition or complaint is held to be insufficient in form, the same shall be amended at once, and such amendment shall not delay the trial of the case.

Acts 1915, ch. 11, § 6; Shan., § 1135a11; Code 1932, § 1887; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 8-2715.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 1981–2025 · leading case: State Ex Rel. Jones v. Looper, 86 S.W.3d 189 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2000).
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State Ex Rel. Jones v. Looper, 86 S.W.3d 189 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 2× “Particularly relevant to the question before us are the limitation of allowable pleadings to the petition or complaint and an answer, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-47-115 , and the provision shortening the normal time for answering, see Tenn.”
State ex rel. Leech v. Wright, 622 S.W.2d 807 (Tenn. 1981). · cites it 2× “T.C.A § 8-47-115 provides in part that, “.”
State of Tennessee, ex rel., Marlinee Iverson, Cnty. Attorney for Shelby Cnty., Tennessee v. Wanda Halbert (Tenn. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 4× “]” Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-47-115 . Tennessee courts have held that the express requirements of sections 8-47-114 and -115 prevail over the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure in the event of a conflict.”
State of Tennessee v. Les Stiers, 571 S.W.3d 706 (2018). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-47-115 . We are of the opinion that the trial court did not err in relying on this statute in dismissing the “Counter-Complaint,” which, as we have already noted, sued the relator plaintiffs “for libel, slander, defamation of character, and for malicious…”
State Ex Rel Adolphus Pelley v. Bo Perkinson (Tenn. Ct. App. 2025). “forthwith to investigate such complaint” and “such person shall forthwith institute proceedings” if the investigation finds reasonable cause); § 8-47-115 (“The petition and answer shall constitute the only pleadings allowed” and “if such petition or complaint is held to be…”
State v. Looper (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 2× “Particularly relevant to the question before us are the limitation of allowable pleadings to the petition or complaint and an answer, see Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-47-115 , and the provision shortening the normal time for answering, see Tenn.”
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