Madras High Court — what it hears, and when a Chennai matter goes there

In short

The Madras High Court sits in Chennai. For a Chennai matter it hears writ petitions and appeals, and on its original side it tries civil suits valued above one crore rupees — the ceiling of the City Civil Court since 1 February 2019. A suit valued at one crore or less starts in the City Civil Court instead.

What does the Madras High Court hear?#

Writ petitions, appeals, and civil suits above the City Civil Court limit on the original side.

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
Ceiling history	Raised from ₹25 lakh to ₹1 crore with effect from 1 February 2019 — most material still online gives the old figure.
Writs and appeals	Filed in Chennai itself, rather than travelling for them.

Does your matter belong here?#

It probably does if:

Your civil suit — partition, declaration of title, injunction, cancellation of a deed, money recovery or possession — is valued above one crore rupees.
You are filing a writ petition, or an appeal that lies to the High Court.
A child has been removed to another state: a habeas corpus petition before the High Court is sometimes used to secure a quick production and an interim arrangement.

What looks as if it belongs here and does not?

A civil suit valued at one crore rupees or less	City Civil Court, Chennai
Divorce, maintenance in a matrimonial case, custody	Family Court, Chennai
A tenancy under the 2017 Act	Rent Court — the Court of Small Causes

Where is the Madras High Court?#

Madras High Court
Chennai 600104

Official website: hcmadras.tn.gov.in

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 Child custody and visitationCustody & visitation · 10 min read

Which other courts sit in Chennai?

City Civil Court, Chennai 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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