In May 2016, we reported how the Supreme Court of North Carolina held oral argument in Morganton, North Carolina for the first time in over a hundred years.  A year later, eastern North Carolina is getting its own Supreme Court visit. On Tuesday, May 9 (tomorrow) the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in two cases at Edenton’s Historic Chowan County Courthouse: one at 9:30 a.m. and another at 11:00 a.m.  Built in 1767, the Historic Chowan County Courthouse is the oldest courthouse in North Carolina.  Although admission is free, tickets are required and are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis by contacting Historic Edenton at 252-482-2637. Oral arguments will also be streamed live via WRAL.com.

Unlike the Morganton special session that required an amendment to section 7A-10, the Supreme Court has long had the authority to hold sessions in Edenton, most recently in 2004 and 2013.

While section 7A-10 limits the Supreme Court’s ability to hold session to just three locations (Raleigh, Edenton, and Morganton), a movement to permit the Supreme Court to more freely roam the State is reportedly afoot.

The North Carolina Court of Appeals is already on the move. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Court of Appeals most recently held oral arguments in Fayetteville, New Bern, and at Elon Law School.

In other news, the Supreme Court’s most recent batch of opinions was accompanied by  “Press Summaries.”  These short, plain-language summaries of the Court’s opinions are a quick way for both the public and practicing bar to stay up-to-date on the Supreme Court’s new opinions.  Hopefully, they will become a permanent feature in the Supreme Court.

–Beth Scherer