(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.