Which Chennai court hears your matter
Chennai has the widest spread of courts in the State: the Madras High Court sits here, alongside the City Civil Court, the Family Court, the Court of Small Causes and the metropolitan magistrate courts. Which one your matter goes to depends on the kind of dispute and, for civil suits, on the value of what is claimed.
Where does a matter start?
| Civil suit valued up to ₹1 crore — partition, title, injunction, deed, money, possession | City Civil Court, Chennai |
|---|---|
| Civil suit valued above ₹1 crore | Madras High Court (original side) |
| Writ petition | Madras High Court |
| Divorce, judicial separation, custody, maintenance in a matrimonial case | Family Court, Chennai |
| Small money claim | Court of Small Causes, Chennai |
| Tenancy under the 2017 Act — registration, refused rent, essential supply | Rent Authority and Rent Court (Rent Authority) |
| Tenancy under the 2017 Act — eviction or other dispute | Rent Authority and Rent Court (Rent Court: the Court of Small Causes) |
| Appeal from a Rent Court order | City Civil Court, Chennai (as the Rent Tribunal) |
| Possession against a licensee or trespasser | City Civil Court, Chennai (or the High Court above ₹1 crore) |
Which courts sit in Chennai?
Madras High CourtWrit petitions, appeals, and civil suits above the City Civil Court limit on the original side.
City Civil Court, ChennaiCivil suits — partition, declaration of title, injunction, money recovery — up to the prescribed value.
Family Court, ChennaiDivorce, maintenance, custody and other matrimonial matters.
Court of Small Causes, ChennaiSmall money claims and certain tenancy-related matters.
Rent Authority and Rent CourtTenancy registration and disputes under the Tamil Nadu Regulation of Rights and Responsibilities of Landlords and Tenants Act, 2017.
General information, not advice on your facts. Which court a particular matter belongs in can turn on details these pages cannot see.
If you are unsure which court your matter belongs in, a paid consultation can tell you before anything is filed.
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