Appellate Rules Violations

In light of Matt’s post from yesterday, does anyone perceive an uptick in dismissals of appeals for notice of appeal problems? Are North Carolina lawyers unique in their propensity
Continue Reading When Is a Deadline or Other Requirement for Filing a Notice of Appeal Jurisdictional? (Federal Edition)

Our appellate blogosphere has been filled with an unusual number of posts involving dismissed appeals. However, the North Carolina Court of Appeals on Tuesday bestowed leniency on two appeals, utilizing
Continue Reading Court of Appeals Extends Grace To Reach Merits of Appeal–Twice in the Same Day

Last Friday was a blockbuster appellate day for the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Not only did it effectively declare an appellate jurisdiction statute unconstitutional (see Matt’s blog post
Continue Reading Supreme Court Reverses Court of Appeals Application of Appellate Rule 2

The Supreme Court stated in Dogwood v. White Oak, 362 N.C. 191, 657 S.E.2d 361 (2008), that noncompliance with nonjurisdictional rules normally should not lead to the dismissal of an
Continue Reading When Do Appellate Rules Violations Rise To The Level Of Jurisdictional Requirements?

Today, the Supreme Court issued its final batch of opinions and two sets of rules amendments for 2017.  We will bring you more information in the days that come, but
Continue Reading Breaking Appellate and Business Court News Day In The North Carolina Supreme Court

About a month ago, the North Carolina Court of Appeals issued an unpublished opinion that underscored the importance of compliance with Appellate Rule 9(a), which provides that appeals from the
Continue Reading No Transcript? Maybe No Appeal.

A case with a history of appellate rules issues, see here, can now add a few more to its tally.  In State v. Coxton the Court of Appeals originally
Continue Reading Appellate Rule 28 and Abandonment of an Argument

In Chief Judge Gregory’s first published opinion since assuming his new role, the Fourth Circuit indicated yesterday that functional compliance with jurisdictional rules trumps formal compliance.  In Clark v.

Continue Reading Fourth Circuit Favors Functionality Over Formality

The notice of appeal is arguably the most important document in the life of an appeal.  After all, a proper notice of appeal “is a procedural appellate rule, required in
Continue Reading Court of Appeals Plows New Ground on Notices of Appeal