Inclement Weather Policy

How is the Decision to Delay or Close Chancery Court Made?

When inclement weather makes local travel difficult, the Clerk and Master and Chancellors decide whether to delay the opening of Chancery Court or close the Court for the day. The decision to open or close Chancery Court, including the Chancery and Probate Divisions, is NOT based on any other court or organization, including Knox County Schools. The decision to delay or close Chancery Court is made independent of the decisions of other courts and government offices.

How Do I Find Out If Chancery Court is Delayed or Closed for the Day?

The Clerk and Master and Chancellors strive to inform the public as quickly as possible of the decision to delay or close Court on a given day. Accordingly, a number of local media outlets are informed of the decision as soon as it is made. Please check the following local media outlets to find out whether Chancery Court is delayed or closed on a given day.

www.knoxcounty.org
www.wbir.com
WBIR-TV
WVLT-TV
WIVK-FM (radio)

What If I Have Business with the Chancery Court on a Day When Court is Delayed or Closed?

2-Hour Delay
If the Chancery Court is on a “2-hour delay,” the Clerk and Master’s office and the Chancellors’ offices will all open at 10:00 a.m. The Probate Division will also open at 10:00 a.m. This means Court business will begin at 10:00 a.m. When there is a 2-hour delay, filings and appointments in the Clerk and Master’s office will begin at 10:00 a.m. Morning hearings conducted in-chambers with the Chancellors will begin at 10:00 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m. After the morning hearings are concluded in-chambers, the Chancellors will preside in their respective Courts for scheduled hearings, motions and trials.

Closing
If the Chancery Court is closed for the day, both the Chancery and Probate Divisions will be closed. All business scheduled with the Clerk and Master’s office, the Chancellors, or in Probate, must be rescheduled.

For rescheduling Probate matters, please call (865) 215-2389.

For rescheduling Chancery matters, please call the appropriate Administrative Assistant: