(a) This section applies only in cases involving discriminatory housing practices.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 4-21-312

  • Commission: means the Tennessee human rights commission. See Tennessee Code 4-21-102
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • Person: includes one (1) or more individuals, governments, governmental agencies, public authorities, labor organizations, corporations, legal representatives, partnerships, associations, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, receivers, mutual companies, joint stock companies, trusts, unincorporated organizations or other organized groups of persons. See Tennessee Code 4-21-102
  • Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
(b) If the commission has determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent has engaged in a discriminatory housing practice and if the complaint has not been resolved through a conciliation agreement, the commission shall notify the complainant and the respondent in writing that they may elect to have the claims and issues of the complaint decided in a civil action commenced and maintained by the commission. Either the complainant or the respondent may make such an election by notifying the commission of the complainant’s or respondent’s desire to do so. A party shall make an election for a civil action no later than twenty (20) days after receiving notice of permission to do so.
(c) If an election is made under this section, no later than sixty (60) days after the election is made, the commission shall commence a civil action in the chancery court or circuit court in a county in which the subject of the complaint occurs, or in a county in which a respondent resides or has the respondent’s principal place of business.
(d) In a civil action brought under this section, the court may grant relief as it deems appropriate, including any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other equitable relief, and may award to any person compensatory and punitive damages. Parties to a civil action brought pursuant to this section shall have the right to a jury trial.
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