Tenn. R. Sup. Ct. 46A

As amended through January 18, 2024
Rule 46A - Electronic Service of Papers E-Filed Pursuant to Local Rules of Court
(1) For purposes of this Rule, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) "E-file" or "E-filing" means the electronic transmission of documents in cases pending in the court, using the dedicated E-Filing system maintained by the clerk of the court.
(b) "E-Filer" means a registered user who e-files a document.
(c) "E-Filing system" means a system adopted by any Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, Probate, Juvenile or General Sessions Court Clerk that allows for the e-filing of documents and is in compliance with the technological standards promulgated by this Court.
(d) "E-service" or "E-served" means the automatically generated electronic transmission, by and through an e-filing system, of a notice to all participants in a case who are registered users that a document has been e-filed.
(e) A "registered user" is a person who has properly registered with and has been authorized to use an e-filing system for the e-filing of documents in accordance with the requirements of a local rule of court. A registered user is deemed to have consented to receive e-service and is responsible for maintaining a valid and current e-mail address and keeping same up to date in the e-filing system.
(f) "Documents" that may be e-served under this Rule include only those items that must be served pursuant to Tenn. R. Civ. P. 5.01, Tenn. R. Crim. P. 49, Tenn. R. Juv. P. 106, and any similar General Sessions Court rule.
(2) Any Circuit, Chancery, Criminal, Probate, Juvenile or General Sessions Court that has, by local rule of court, allowed documents to be filed, signed or verified by a registered user of an e-filing system shall allow such documents to be e-served. E-service shall constitute proper service of the e-filed document on a registered user and shall have the same legal effect as service of a paper document under the applicable rules of procedure. Independent conventional service of an e-filed document, either by paper or otherwise, need not be made by an e-filer on any registered user, unless otherwise ordered by the court.
(3) Any (A) lawyer representing a person, party or participant in the case, or (B) pro se person, party or participant in the case, who is either (i) not a registered user of the e-filing system or (ii) known by the e-filer not to have been e-served, must be served by the e-filer through the conventional means of service set forth in the applicable rules of procedure.
(4) Unless ordered otherwise by the court, a court clerk may, through the e-filing system, transmit to registered users all notices, orders, opinions, or judgments filed by the court or court clerk, which transmission shall constitute proper service and shall satisfy the notice requirements of Tenn. R. Civ. P. 58 or any other applicable rules of procedure.
(5) The court has the discretion, for good cause shown, to order that service, other than e-service, be required in a particular case.

Tenn. R. Sup. Ct. 46A

Adopted by order entered March 28, 2019, effective 3/28/2019.