City Civil Court, Chennai — which civil suits it hears

In short

The City Civil Court is the ordinary civil court for Chennai. It tries civil suits — partition, declaration of title, injunction, cancellation of a deed, money recovery, and possession against a licensee or trespasser — valued up to one crore rupees; above that the suit goes to the Madras High Court. It is also notified as the Rent Tribunal that hears appeals from the Rent Court under the 2017 tenancy Act.

What does the City Civil Court, Chennai hear?#

Civil suits — partition, declaration of title, injunction, money recovery — up to the prescribed value.

How the forum is decided
Up to ₹10 lakh	Assistant Judge, City Civil Court
Above ₹10 lakh, up to ₹1 crore	Principal or an Additional Judge, City Civil Court
Above ₹1 crore	Madras High Court, original side
Which court by place	The court within whose limits the property lies (s.16, Code of Civil Procedure). For money, where the defendant lives or where the cause of action arose.
Rent Tribunal	Hears appeals from the Rent Court, filed within 30 days. Notified as the Principal Rent Tribunal for the State.

Does your matter belong here?#

It probably does if:

Your dispute is about property or money in Chennai and is valued at one crore rupees or less.
You need an injunction: the application is heard by the same court that will try the suit, so it follows the suit to this court on value.
The occupier you want out is a licensee, a trespasser or a former owner refusing to hand over — not a tenant under the 2017 Act.
You are appealing an order of the Rent Court.

What looks as if it belongs here and does not?

A civil suit valued above one crore rupees	Madras High Court, original side
Eviction of a tenant under the 2017 Act	Rent Court — the Court of Small Causes
Divorce, custody, maintenance in a matrimonial case	Family Court, Chennai
Property outside the city	District Munsif, Sub-Court or District Court of that district

Where is the City Civil Court, Chennai?#

City Civil Court – Main Building
Madras High Court Campus
Chennai 600104

Official website: chennai.dcourts.gov.in (Chennai City Courts)

Not every City Civil Court sits in the main building: the official list of Chennai courts places the XX to XXIII Additional and the XIX to XXVIII Assistant City Civil Courts at Allikulam, Egmore.

Which guides apply here?#

How a partition suit actually worksPartition suit · 9 min read Suits for declaration — protecting your titleDeclaration of title · 9 min read Injunction suits in ChennaiInjunction suit · 9 min read Setting aside a settlement or sale deedNullifying a void deed · 10 min read Money recovery suits in ChennaiRecovery suit · 10 min read Someone will not vacate: Rent Court or civil court?Eviction · 8 min read The Rent Court in Tamil Nadu: how a tenancy dispute is actually decidedRLTOP application · 10 min read

Which other courts sit in Chennai?

Madras High Court Family Court, Chennai Court of Small Causes, Chennai Rent Authority and Rent Court All Chennai courts

Where do these facts come from?

Jurisdiction as stated in the guides linked above. Address and website checked against the official sources on 8 November 2026. General information, not advice on your facts.

If you are unsure whether your matter belongs in this court, a paid consultation can tell you before anything is filed.

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