Today the Tennessee Supreme Court issued an order suspending in-person court proceedings through the end of March. Exceptions include matters related to:

• abuse or orders of protection;
• emergency child-custody orders;
• emergency DCS actions; and
• temporary injunctions.

It also directs trial judges and court clerks “to limit in-person courtroom contact as much as possible by utilizing available technologies, including alternative means of filing, teleconferencing, email, and videoconferencing.”

Procedural deadlines set to expire before March 31 are extended through April 6.

Orders of protection and temporary injunctions set to expire before March 31 are extended through April 6.

I hope the Court sees fit to extend those deadlines further, as many lawyers and clients must adjust to the disruption associated with transitioning to working from home. It’s going to take longer to do things.

Stay safe, y’all, and wash your hands.

In re COVID-19 Pandemic (Tennessee Supreme Court, March 13, 2020).