Tennessee Court Exhibit Requirements
A comprehensive guide to preparing exhibits for Tennessee courts under TRCP Rule 26, including e-filing specifications via eFiling and formatting best practices.
- Tennessee's primary exhibit rule is TRCP Rule 26.
- Plaintiffs label exhibits with Numbers (1, 2, 3...).
- Defendants label exhibits with Letters (A, B, C...).
- The eFiling portal caps each document at 25 MB.
- Exhibit exchange deadline is Per scheduling order.
- Standard label position is the bottom-right corner of the first page; multi-page exhibits keep one number with per-page pagination ("Exhibit 1, p. 2 of 5").
- Bates numbering (page-level production identifiers) is independent of exhibit numbering and runs across the entire production.
Quick Reference
Updated 2026-01-3125 MB
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Letters (A, B, C...)
Per scheduling order
Applicable Rules & Citations
Primary Rule
General discovery provisions. Documents relevant to claims or defenses must be produced upon request.
Formatting Requirements
TRCP Rule 26.02
Scope of discovery includes documents and tangible things. Must be produced as kept or organized by request.
E-Filing System
Statewide electronic filing. PDF format required. 25 MB per document.
Key Deadlines
Local Rules
Exhibit deadlines per scheduling order. Davidson County has specific pretrial requirements.
Overview
Tennessee courts operate under TRCP Rule 26 for exhibit requirements. Electronic filing is handled through eFiling with a maximum file size of 25 MB. Exhibits must be exchanged Per scheduling order.
Key principle: Always verify your specific court's local rules, as individual counties may have additional requirements beyond the statewide rules.
Tennessee Exhibit Conventions
- Statewide e-filing implementation
- Business Court in Davidson and Shelby Counties
- Strong mediation requirements
- Detailed scheduling orders control deadlines
Tennessee Exhibit Marking
Standard Marking Conventions
Plaintiff Exhibits
Numbers (1, 2, 3...)
Defendant Exhibits
Letters (A, B, C...)
Check Local Court Rules
Individual courts within Tennessee may have specific local rules regarding exhibit marking, numbering sequences, and formatting. Always verify with your specific court before filing.
Court-Specific Requirements
Davidson County (Nashville)
Has Business Court for complex commercial disputes. Detailed pretrial procedures.
Davidson County Local RulesShelby County (Memphis)
Second largest. Business Court available. Standard pretrial requirements.
Shelby County Local RulesTennessee County Guides
eFiling E-Filing Requirements
File Format & Size
Document Specifications
- PDF format required for all filings
- 25 MB maximum per file
- Text-searchable PDFs recommended
Best Practices
- Include bookmarks for multi-exhibit PDFs
- No password protection
- Clear, legible exhibit stamps
Common Rejection Reasons
File Size Exceeds 25 MB Limit
Solution: Split large exhibits into parts. Label clearly (e.g., "Exhibit 5, Part 1 of 3"). ExhibitPrep exports individual files to manage size limits.
Missing or Illegible Exhibit Stamps
Solution: Use consistent, clearly visible exhibit stamps on every page. ExhibitPrep places stamps in the same position on every page automatically.
Incorrect Exhibit Numbering
Solution: Verify plaintiff exhibits use Numbers (1, 2, 3...) and defendant exhibits use Letters (A, B, C...). ExhibitPrep auto-numbers exhibits sequentially.
Late Exhibit Exchange
Solution: Tennessee requires exchange Per scheduling order. Plan ahead and prepare exhibits early to avoid last-minute issues.
How ExhibitPrep Helps with Tennessee Requirements
Time Savings
Stamp 50 exhibits in 5 minutes vs. 2+ hours applying stickers manually.
Cost Effective
$14.99 Day Pass vs. $100+/hr paralegal time. Stamp unlimited exhibits for one low price.
Court Compliant
Tennessee court-ready formatting. Export with bookmarks for organized filings.
ExhibitPrep Configuration for Tennessee Courts
Recommended Settings
Stamp Format
Use "Exhibit [number]" for plaintiffs or "Exhibit [letter]" for defendants. Include party designation if required by local rules.
Position
Bottom-right corner is standard. Ensure stamps don't obscure document content. Use drag-and-drop positioning to adjust if needed.
Export Format
Combined PDF with bookmarks for court filings. Keep files under 25 MB. Individual files for discovery productions or large exhibit sets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exhibit requirements for Tennessee courts?
Tennessee courts require exhibits to follow TRCP Rule 26. General discovery provisions. Documents relevant to claims or defenses must be produced upon request.
What e-filing system does Tennessee use?
Tennessee uses eFiling for electronic filings. Statewide electronic filing. PDF format required. 25 MB per document.
How should plaintiff and defendant exhibits be marked in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, plaintiffs typically use Numbers (1, 2, 3...) while defendants use Letters (A, B, C...). Check local court rules for specific requirements.
What are the exhibit exchange deadlines in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires exhibit exchange Per scheduling order. Exhibit deadlines per scheduling order. Davidson County has specific pretrial requirements.
Are electronically stamped exhibits accepted in Tennessee?
Yes, Tennessee courts accept electronic exhibit stamps that are clearly legible and consistently formatted. ExhibitPrep creates court-ready stamps accepted throughout Tennessee.
What is the maximum file size for Tennessee e-filing?
Tennessee's e-filing system (eFiling) accepts files up to 25 MB. For larger exhibits, split into multiple parts with clear labeling.
Prepare Tennessee Court Exhibits in Minutes
ExhibitPrep makes it easy to create professional, court-compliant exhibits for Tennessee filings. Preview your stamped exhibits before paying.
Start Stamping ExhibitsNo credit card required to preview | $14.99 Day Pass for unlimited stamping