Courts are state and federal government institutions with the authority to decide legal disputes and administer justice under the law in civil, criminal, and administrative matters. Courts are generally given this authority under the relevant state or federal constitution, and the relevant state or federal statutes. Courts are generally staffed by (1) one judge (in trial courts) or a panel of judges (in appellate courts) who interpret and apply the law; (2) support staff members that may include administrators (clerks); (3) a court reporter to record court proceedings; and (4) a bailiff to provide security.

The room in which court proceedings are conducted is known as the courtroom, and the building that includes the courtroom is known as the courthouse. The term “the court” may be used to refer to the judge or judges who are presiding over court proceedings. The judges in a state or federal court system are collectively known as the judiciary.

In Tennessee, courts operate as part of the judicial branch of government and are responsible for resolving legal disputes and administering justice in accordance with state and federal laws. The authority of courts in Tennessee is derived from the Tennessee State Constitution and relevant statutes. The state court system includes various levels, such as trial courts (e.g., Chancery Courts, Circuit Courts, and Criminal Courts), appellate courts (e.g., the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals), and the highest state court, the Tennessee Supreme Court. Federal courts operating in Tennessee, such as the U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, derive their authority from the U.S. Constitution and federal statutes. Courts are typically presided over by a single judge at the trial level or a panel of judges at the appellate level. They are supported by staff including clerks, court reporters, and bailiffs. Court proceedings take place in a courtroom, which is located within a courthouse. The term 'the court' can refer to the presiding judge or panel of judges who make decisions on legal matters presented before them.