Judge W. Christopher Frulla
Individual Rules, Standing Orders & Policies
- Rules last changed:
Limits & Logistics
Document Limits
Courtesy Copies
Attorney filings
Court-wide- Within 2 Days Before Argument
- Within 5 Days Before Argument
Brief
Court-wide- At Least 7 Days Before Argument
Courtesy copies
Court-wide- At Least 15 Days Before Hearing
- At Least 7 Days Before Argument
Notice of Party Status
Court-wide
Communication
Clerk
Phone
Chambers
Document Format Requirements4 rules
Each document (as disclosed herein below) to be scanned and emailed to the Deputy Divorce Referee for review shall be sent as a separate attachment to the same email. DO NOT submit documents to the Divorce referee as one attachment. Photographs of documents are not acceptable.
Formatting
- •Photographs of documents are not acceptable
Each document (as disclosed herein below) to be scanned and emailed to the Deputy Divorce Referee for review shall be sent as a separate attachment to the same email. DO NOT submit documents to the Divorce referee as one attachment. Photographs of documents are not acceptable.
- Uncontested divorce documents
Formatting
- •Photographs of documents are not acceptable
Competing orders must be presented in redline form.
Competing orders must be presented in redline form or with highlights showing the discrepancies.
Document Filing Requirements19 rules
Every non-dispositive motion set must include the required certificate of consultation and will not be heard without it.
- Document
- Non-dispositive motion
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Court's wording
Every non-dispositive motion set must have a certificate of consultation pursuant to Shelby County Circuit Court Local Rule 5(H). The motion will not be heard if there is no certificate of consultation.
The administrative documents such as the signed and dated cost form, confidential information sheet and the Demographic form are to be brought to Court to the hearing.
A copy of the military affidavit (if military waiver not included in the MDA) and even if filed.
A copy of the Confidential Information Sheet even if previously filed with the Court.
A Demographic form if appropriate and even if filed.
The parties must attend a Circuit Court approved Parenting Education Seminar.
A copy of the proposed FDD properly signed.
Copies of the Court approved PES Certificate, if children.
A copy of the insurance notice (if appropriate provisions are not included in the MDA) and even if filed.
A copy of the completed cost form.
A copy of the proposed signed and notarized PPPO including but not limited to the CSW or JC Court recommendations.
The original signed FDD and PPPO (and Affidavit) are to be brought to court at time of the hearing.
All parties must comply with the consultation requirements in Local Rule 5(B) prior to filing any applicable motions, and the failure to include a certificate of consultation may result in your motion being struck from the docket.
- Document
- Motion
Must include
- •Certificate of conference
Dismissal dockets will be set periodically on dormant matters. If the prosecuting party fails to appear, the case will be dismissed.
For matters involving minor children, parties must submit the listed divorce-related documents for Deputy Divorce Referee review, subject to the stated conditions.
Court's wording
The documents to be submitted for review to the Deputy Divorce Referee are as follows (subject to the parties having minor child(ren): 1. Affidavit (if no children and if the party is represented by counsel). 2. A filed stamped copy of the filed complaint (or any amendments thereto). 3. A filed stamped copy of the filed MDA (divorce agreement) 4. A copy of the proposed signed and notarized PPPO including but not limited to the CSW or JC Court recommendations. 5. A copy of the proposed FDD properly signed. 6. A copy of the military affidavit (if military waiver not included in the MDA) and even if filed. 7. A copy of the insurance notice (if appropriate provisions are not included in the MDA) and even if filed. 8. A Demographic form if appropriate and even if filed. 9. A copy of the Confidential Information Sheet even if previously filed with the Court. 10. A copy of the completed cost form. 11. Copies of the Court approved PES Certificate, if children.
The original signed FDD and PPPO (and Affidavit) are to be brought to court at time of the hearing.
The administrative documents such as the signed and dated cost form, confidential information sheet and the Demographic form are to be brought to Court to the hearing.
The parties must attend a Circuit Court approved Parenting Education Seminar.
All documents submitted should include the attorney’s (or pro se party’s) contact phone number and email.
Filing & Service rules
Electronic Filing Rules
Only consent orders may be submitted electronically to the Division 3 email address.
ONLY Consent Orders may be submitted electronically to the Division 3 email.
Page 1 | Orders
Orders presented under local rule 10 must be submitted in person with proof of notice.
Orders presented to the Court via local rule 10 must be presented in person with proof of notice.
Page 2 | Orders
Uncontested divorce documents may be submitted to the Deputy Divorce Referee by email or fax before the stated deadline, but email is strongly preferred.
For a matter to be heard on a scheduled Wednesday morning, the documents must be submitted to the Circuit Court Division 3 Deputy Divorce Referee Gordon Olswing by email or fax prior to 2:00 pm on the Friday preceding the Wednesday hearing. Email is strongly preferred.
Page 2 | Uncontested Divorces
Filing Timing and Cure Windows
Documents for a Wednesday-morning uncontested divorce hearing must reach Deputy Divorce Referee Gordon Olswing by email or fax before 2:00 p.m. on the preceding Friday.
For a matter to be heard on a scheduled Wednesday morning, the documents must be submitted to the Circuit Court Division 3 Deputy Divorce Referee Gordon Olswing by email or fax prior to 2:00 pm on the Friday preceding the Wednesday hearing.
Page 2 | Uncontested Divorces
Documents for a Wednesday-morning uncontested divorce hearing must be submitted by email or fax before 2:00 pm on the preceding Friday.
For a matter to be heard on a scheduled Wednesday morning, the documents must be submitted to the Circuit Court Division 3 Deputy Divorce Referee Gordon Olswing by email or fax prior to 2:00 pm on the Friday preceding the Wednesday hearing.
Page 2 | Uncontested Divorces
Orders submitted by email will be reviewed and entered as soon as possible.
Orders presented via email will be reviewed and entered ASAP.
Page 1 | Orders
Adjournment & Extension Requirements
Continuances cannot be obtained through a consent order or email; parties must address Judge Smith.
No continuances will be granted via a consent order or via email. Parties must address Judge Smith.
Page 1 | Announcements and Requests for Continuances
A continuance request must be addressed to the Court in person and cannot be granted through a consent order or email.
You must address the Court in person when requesting a continuance. No continuances will be granted via a consent order or via email.
Page 1 | Requests for Continuances
Continuances will not be granted by email.
No continuances will be given via email.
Page 3 | Dismissal Dockets
Chambers Communication Rules
Email communications with the court must include all counsel or, for pro se litigants, all parties.
E-mail communication with the Court MUST INCLUDE ALL COUNSEL or parties if pro se.
Page 1 | DIVISION III – COVID 19 PROCEDURES
Counsel must contact the division clerk by email for a special setting when a motion is dispositive or is expected to take 20 minutes or more.
If your motion is dispositive or will require 20 minutes or more, counsel must contact the clerk at the division email for a special setting.
Page 2 | Motions
Continuances will not be granted through email.
No continuances will be given via email.
Page 3 | Dismissal Dockets
If a matter is struck from the scheduled uncontested divorce docket, Mr. Olswing and Courtroom Clerk Ms. Aldridge must be informed by email.
Please inform Mr. Olswing and the Court room Clerk Ms. Aldridge by email should you strike the matter from the scheduled uncontested divorce docket.
Page 3 | Uncontested Divorces
Minor settlements may be heard by Zoom or in person at the Court's discretion, and the division clerk must be emailed to obtain a setting.
Minor Settlements: Minor Settlements will be heard via zoom or in person at the Court’s discretion. Please email the division clerk to obtain a setting. Once the matter is scheduled, further details on the hearing will be provided.
Page 3 | Minor Settlements
If a matter is struck from the scheduled uncontested divorce docket, Mr. Olswing and the courtroom clerk, Ms. Harris, must be informed by email.
Please inform Mr. Olswing and the court room Clerk Ms. Harris by email should you strike the matter from the scheduled uncontested divorce docket.
Page 3 | Uncontested Divorces
A copy of the minor settlement petition must be emailed to the Division Three Clerk for Judge Frulla’s review and determination regarding a guardian ad litem.
Please email the Division Three Clerk a copy of the minor settlement petition so that Judge Frulla can review the petition and determine whether a guardian ad litem will be required.
Page 3 | Minor Settlements
Questions and requested settings must be emailed to Circuit.Division3@shelbycountytn.gov rather than to individual clerks, Judge Smith, or Ms. Aldridge.
For questions or requested settings, please contact the Clerk via email at Circuit.Division3@shelbycountytn.gov. Please send inquiries to THIS email rather than directly to any clerk individually. The Court cannot guarantee receipt of communication to any other email address. Please do not email Judge Smith or Ms. Aldridge individually with pleadings or orders.
Page 1 | DIVISION III – COVID 19 PROCEDURES
A status conference may be requested from the division clerk and may be conducted by Zoom or in person.
You may address the Court in person. You may contact the division clerk to schedule a status conference to be conducted via zoom or appear in person.
Page 1 | Announcements and Requests for Continuances
Questions or requests for further assistance may be directed to the Division 3 email address or the Judicial Assistants' office at 901-222-3800.
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please email the Division 3 e-mail listed above or call the Judicial Assistants’ office at 901-222-3800.
Page 3 | Dismissal Dockets
Questions and requests for special settings should be submitted to the Clerk by email.
Please contact the Clerk (Ms. Harris) via email at Circuit.Division3@shelbycountytn.gov with any questions or requests for special settings.
Page 1 | DIVISION III – JUDGE FRULLA’S PREFERENCES
Questions or requests for further assistance may be directed to the Division 3 email address or the Judicial Assistants’ office at 901-222-3800.
If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please email the Division 3 e-mail listed above or call the Judicial Assistants’ office at 901-222-3800.
Page 3 | Dismissal Dockets