Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts

The Court of the Judiciary was created by the legislature to investigate and, when warranted, act on complaints against judges. Members are appointed by multiple appointing authorities, including the Supreme Court. The appellate court clerk serves as clerk to the Court of the Judiciary.

The Tennessee Court of the Judiciary was created by the legislature to:

1. Provide an orderly and efficient method for making inquiry into:

• The physical, mental and/or moral fitness of any Tennessee judge;
• Whether the judge committed judicial misconduct;
• Whether the judge committed any act calculated to reflect unfavorably upon the judiciary of the state or bring it into disrepute or which may adversely affect the administration of justice in the state

2. Provide a process by which appropriate sanctions may be imposed;

3. Implement constitutional provisions by providing a procedure for the removal of judges.

Rule 8 of the Rules of the Court of the Judiciary provides the following:
"Except for hearings conducted pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 17-5-308 or sanctions required to be public, matters that come before the Court are confidential. Individual members of the Court will not discuss any matter pending before the Court, except with other members of the Court and with Disciplinary Counsel. However, nothing in the Rule shall prohibit the complainant, respondent-judge, or any witness from disclosing the existence or substance of a complaint, matter, investigation, or proceeding under these Rules or from disclosing any documents or correspondence filed by, served on, or provided to that person."
 

Click here to download a report detailing the history of the Court of the Judiciary and its predecessor, the Judicial Standards Commission.