Georgia Court and Legal Resources
Quick reference and official links for Georgia’s appellate courts, listed from the highest court down, plus a guide to your rights in debt collection lawsuits and other helpful resources. This page is general information, not legal advice — which court handles your case, and what deadline applies, depends on the specifics of your matter.
Supreme Court of Georgia
Established 1845 · 9 justices
Georgia's highest court. Since the 2017 jurisdiction reform, its exclusive appellate jurisdiction is narrower than most people expect — primarily constitutional questions, election contests, death penalty cases, and cases certified to it by the Court of Appeals or federal courts. It can also grant certiorari to review a Court of Appeals decision it considers of great public importance, but that review is discretionary, not automatic.
Court of Appeals of Georgia
Established 1906 · 15 judges in 5 divisions
Hears almost all civil and criminal appeals from Georgia's superior, state, and juvenile courts. Since a 2016 jurisdiction reform took effect January 1, 2017, this includes cases involving title to land, wills, divorce and alimony, and other equity matters that previously went to the Supreme Court. In practice, this is where the large majority of Georgia appeals — civil and criminal — end up.
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Sued over a debt? Know your rights
Debt collection lawsuits are often defended on more than the amount owed. Several consumer protection laws limit how collectors and debt buyers may act, and violations can be raised as defenses or as counterclaims in the same lawsuit. This is general information, not legal advice.
- Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq. Bars harassment, false or misleading statements, and unfair practices by debt collectors, including debt buyers’ collectors and law firms that regularly collect consumer debts. A consumer who proves a violation may recover actual damages, statutory damages of up to $1,000, and attorney’s fees and costs. Suits generally must be brought within one year of the violation.
- Regulation F, 12 C.F.R. Part 1006. The CFPB’s rule implementing the FDCPA. It covers required debt validation notices, limits on how often collectors may call, and rules on collecting time-barred debt.
- Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), 15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. Requires accurate credit reporting and requires those who report debts to investigate disputes. Willful violations can lead to statutory and punitive damages, and successful consumers may recover attorney’s fees.
- Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227. Restricts certain autodialed and prerecorded calls and texts to your phone.
- Georgia law. Georgia limits how long a creditor has to sue on a debt, and the period depends on the type of debt (for example, O.C.G.A. §§ 9-3-24 and 9-3-25). Georgia’s Fair Business Practices Act may also apply in some situations. A lawsuit filed after the limitation period is a defense you must raise in your answer.
Our Debt Defender service checks every case for these violations. If your case qualifies, you may be able to recover the fees you paid to FairCounsel. No result is guaranteed, and it depends on the facts.
Best places to start
Other helpful resources
Administrative Office of the Courts
Supports Georgia's Judicial Council and courts statewide. A good starting point for court information, e-filing details, and official court statistics and reports.
State Bar of Georgia
The mandatory professional association for Georgia lawyers. Use it to look up an attorney's license and standing and to learn about the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct.
Free and low-cost legal help
If you can't afford an attorney, these nonprofits may be able to help with civil legal problems.
E-Filing in Georgia
Most Georgia trial and appellate courts use the Odyssey eFileGA system (built on Tyler Technologies’ e-filing platform) for electronic filing and case search across participating counties.