(a) In counties with a population of over seven hundred thousand (700,000), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census, the general sessions judges may sit by interchange as a circuit court judge or chancellor for the exclusive purpose of hearing and deciding uncontested and irreconcilable differences in divorce cases.
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(b) When the circuit court clerk or clerk and master determines that a pending divorce action is uncontested as to all material facts or issues, or when the clerk determines that the ground relied upon in a pending divorce action is irreconcilable differences between the parties pursuant to § 36-4-101, the clerk may so certify such determinations to the circuit court judge or chancellor.(c) The circuit court judge or chancellor may designate that a general sessions judge sit by interchange to hear and decide any divorce action determined by the clerk to be uncontested or based upon irreconcilable differences. Any decree entered by a general sessions judge sitting by interchange pursuant to this section shall be considered a decree of the circuit or chancery court and any petitions for modification of the decree shall be filed in the circuit or chancery court. All appeals from the decision of a general sessions judge sitting by interchange pursuant to this section shall be taken in the same manner as if the circuit judge or chancellor rendered the decision.
