Section 21-1-301 - Procedure on defendant's failure to appear

If the defendant upon whom process has been served fails to appear and defend in the time required by law, the bill may be taken for confessed; or the complainant may proceed by process of contempt to compel an answer.Code 1858, § 4360 (deriv. Acts 1801, ch. 6, § 15); Shan., § 6170; Code 1932, § 10441; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 21-301.