Time Extensions in NC Court System

The North Carolina State Bar has released extensions of time to the court system in response to COVID-19.
If you have questions about a civil litigation matter in the North Carolina, please contact us at 919-821-7700.

The following extensions for North Carolina courts are subject to change and do not extend administrative proceedings deadlines (filings or statutes of limitations):

District and Superior Courts

• All pleadings, motions, notices, and other documents and papers that were or are due to be filed in any county of this state on or after March 16,2020 and before the close of business on April 17, 2020, will be deemed to be timely filed if filed before the close of business on April 17, 2020.
• This extension is for civil actions, criminal actions, estates, and special proceedings.
• Additional Details: Chief Justice Beasley’s March 19 Order

Business Courts

• All pleadings, motions, briefs, notices, and other documents and papers that were or are due to be filed in any action currently pending on or after March 16, 2020 and before the close of business on April 17, 2020, will be deemed to be timely filed if filed before the close of business on April 17, 2020.
• This extension applies to other acts, including discovery, mediation, motions, and other case activity, that were or are due to be done in any action currently pending in the North Carolina Business Court.
• Additional Details: Chief Business Court Judge Bledsoe’s March 23 Order

UPDATE: March 27, 2020
Appellate Courts

• Appellate court deadlines between March 26 – April 30, 2020, are extended for 60 days.
• The order encourages electronic filing and credits back secure-leave scheduled in April and May 2020.
• Additional Details: Supreme Court of North Carolina March 27 Order

There are no current extensions in Appellate Courts.

Click here for all of the Court’s orders and announcements on the Judicial Branch.

If you have questions about a civil litigation matter in the state, we’re here to help.