# Tenn. R. Evid. 201: Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts

> Tennessee · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R201

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. R. Evid. 201
- **Heading:** Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Tennessee Court Rules / Tennessee Rules of Evidence / Tenn. R. Evid. 201

## Text

Article II. Judicial Notice
Rules of Evidence
(a) Scope of Rule -
This rule governs only judicial notice of adjudicative facts.
(b) Kinds of Facts -
A judicially noticed fact must be one not subject to reasonable dispute, in that it is either (1) generally known within the territorial jurisdiction of the trial court or (2) capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned.
(c) When Discretionary
- A court may take judicial notice whether requested or not.
(d) When Mandatory -
A court shall take judicial notice if requested by a party and supplied with the necessary information.
(e) Opportunity to Be Heard -
A party is entitled upon timely request to an opportunity to be heard as to the propriety of taking judicial notice and the tenor of the matter noticed. In the absence of prior notification, the request may be made after judicial notice is taken.
(f) Time of Taking Notice -
Judicial notice may be taken at any stage of the proceeding.
(g) Instructing the Jury -
In a civil action or proceeding, the court shall instruct the jury to accept as conclusive any fact judicially noticed. In a criminal case, the court shall instruct the jury that it may, but is not required to, accept as conclusive any fact judicially noticed.
Advisory Commission Comments.
Judicial notice really does not involve admission and exclusion of evidence; rather, no evidence is necessary. Part (b) limits judicial notice to a relatively small class of adjudicative facts. The lawyer may have to supply the court with reference materials, such as an almanac.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. R. Evid. 101 Rule 101. Scope](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R101.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 102 Rule 102. Purpose and Construction](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R102.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 103 Rule 103. Rulings on Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R103.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 104 Rule 104. Preliminary questions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R104.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 105 Rule 105. Limited admissibility](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R105.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 106 Rule 106. Writings or recorded statements — Completeness](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R106.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 201 Rule 201. Judicial Notice of Adjudicative Facts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R201.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 202 Rule 202. Judicial notice of law](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R202.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 301 Rule 301. Reserved](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R301.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 401 Rule 401. Definition of "relevant evidence."](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R401.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 402 Rule 402. Relevant evidence generally admissible; irrelevant evidence inadmissible](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R402.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 403 Rule 403. Exclusion of relevant evidence on grounds of prejudice, confusion, or waste of time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R403.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 404 Rule 404. Character Evidence Not Admissible to Prove Conduct; Exceptions; Other Crimes](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R404.md)
- [Tenn. R. Evid. 405 Rule 405. Methods of Proving Character](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R405.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_TN_TRE_R201. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.