10.01 Caption -- Names of Parties. Every pleading shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the court and county wherein the action is filed or is pending, the title of the action, the file number, and a designation as in Rule 7.01. In the complaint the title of the action shall include the names of all the parties, but in other pleadings it is sufficient to state the name of the first party on each side with an appropriate indication of other parties.
Rule 10.Form of Pleadings
Last verified July 2, 2026
In one sentenceRule 10 sets the required form of a Tennessee pleading — a caption naming the court, county, parties, and file number; averments in numbered paragraphs limited to a single set of circumstances; exhibits for claims founded on a written instrument; and the ability to adopt an earlier statement by reference.
Full Text of Rule 10
10.02 Paragraphs -- Separate Statements. All averments of claim or defense shall be made in numbered paragraphs, contents of each of which shall be limited as far as practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances; and a paragraph may be referred to by number in all succeeding pleadings. Each claim founded upon a separate transaction or occurrence and each defense other than denials shall be stated in a separate count or defense whenever a separation facilitates the clear presentation of the matters set forth.
10.03 Exhibits. Whenever a claim or defense is founded upon a written instrument other than a policy of insurance, a copy of such instrument or the pertinent parts thereof shall be attached to the pleading as an exhibit unless the instrument is (1) a matter of public record in the county in which the action is commenced and its location in the record is set forth in the pleading; (2) in the possession of the adverse party and this fact is stated in the pleading; (3) inaccessible to the pleader or is of such nature that attaching the instrument would be unnecessary or impracticable and this fact is stated in the pleading, together with the reason therefor. Every exhibit so attached or referred to under (1) and (2) shall be a part of the pleading for all purposes.
10.04 Adoption by Reference. Statements in a pleading may be adopted by reference in a different part of the same pleading or in another pleading or in any motion.
Advisory Commission Comments
Plain-English Summary
Rule 10.01 requires every pleading’s caption to name the court and county where the action is pending, the title of the action, the file number, and a designation of the pleading’s type, such as complaint or answer. The complaint’s caption must include the names of all parties, while later pleadings need only name the first party on each side with an indication that others are involved.
Rule 10.02 requires averments to appear in numbered paragraphs, each limited so far as practicable to a single set of circumstances, so that later pleadings can refer back to a specific paragraph by number. Claims founded on separate transactions, and defenses other than plain denials, must be stated in separate counts whenever doing so makes the pleading clearer.
Rule 10.03 requires a copy of a written instrument to be attached as an exhibit whenever a claim or defense is founded on it, unless the instrument is a matter of public record whose location is stated in the pleading, is in the adverse party’s possession and that fact is stated, or is inaccessible for a stated reason. An instrument attached under either of the first two exceptions becomes part of the pleading for all purposes. Rule 10.04 lets a party adopt a statement made elsewhere in the same pleading, in another pleading, or in a motion, without having to repeat it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information has to appear in the caption of a Tennessee pleading?
Rule 10.01 requires the name of the court and county, the title of the action, the file number, and a designation of the pleading’s type. The original complaint must also name every party in its caption.
Do I have to attach a contract to my complaint if my claim is based on it?
Generally yes. Rule 10.03 requires a copy of the written instrument to be attached as an exhibit, unless it is a matter of public record, is already in the other party’s possession, or is inaccessible for a reason stated in the pleading.
Can I refer back to something I already said earlier in my complaint?
Yes. Rule 10.04 lets a party adopt by reference a statement made elsewhere in the same pleading, in a different pleading, or in a motion, instead of repeating it.
Source & verification. The rule text and Advisory Commission Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
official Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure (Tenn. R. Civ. P. 10). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of Tennessee (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 16-3-402 to 16-3-407, 16-3-601). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 2, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: caption requirementsnumbered paragraphsexhibits to a pleadingadoption by reference
Advisory Commission Comments.
10.02: Rule 10.02 sets out a technique for achieving clarity and simplicity in pleading. The requirements as to separate paragraphs and counts are qualified by considerations of practicality and clarity. Thus, each claim founded upon a separate transaction is not absolutely required to be set out in a separate count unless the separation facilitates the clear presentation of the matters set forth.
10.03: Rule 10.03 requires that, when an action or defense rests upon a written instrument, the instrument be made an exhibit to the pleading and become a part thereof. The exceptions set out in Rule 10.03 cover situations where the instrument is not available to the pleader or the inconvenience of exhibition outweighs the value thereof.
10.04: This Rule is designed to remove the necessity for repeating material already set out in the same or a former pleading.