In 1904, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Robert M. Douglas wrote a separate opinion in a case called Westbrooks v. Wilson, 135 N.C. 400, expressing some reservations about the
Continue Reading What is a Concurrence Dubitante?
Fox Rothschild's blog about practicing law in North Carolina state and federal appellate courts
In 1904, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Robert M. Douglas wrote a separate opinion in a case called Westbrooks v. Wilson, 135 N.C. 400, expressing some reservations about the…
Continue Reading What is a Concurrence Dubitante?
You can hit your snooze button a little later on Tuesdays. Effective January 1, 2025, the Court of Appeals’ scheduled filing days for opinions will be the first and third…
Continue Reading Wednesday Returns: Court of Appeals Changes Release Schedule for New Opinions
On May 7, 2024 the North Carolina Court of Appeals issued thirty-three published opinions There’s a lot to chew on here. Here’s my summary of a few of the…
Continue Reading Opinions Galore!
The four civil cases decided by the Supreme Court on 15 December 2023 hang together by a focus on minimalism and, in three of them, dissenting opinions by Justice Earls. Based on the current composition of the Supreme Court, this minimalist approach, with a dissent, may be a harbinger of what to expect from the Supreme Court in the future.
Continue Reading A Majority Court and a Dissenting Justice: A Glimpse into the Future?
Before filing a complaint, make sure you have the correct name of your plaintiff. Otherwise, when you amend the complaint to add the correct plaintiff, you may lose the benefit of the relation back doctrine. …
Continue Reading Court of Appeals Emphasizes Importance of Identifying the Proper Plaintiff
When prospective Appellants face a deadline for filing a Notice of Appeal, it is imperative that they know how many days, and which days, to count.
Continue Reading Whoever Said “Don’t Count the Days, Make the Days Count,” Must Not Have Needed to File a Notice of Appeal
In its opinions issued on February 21, 2023, the NC Court of Appeals focused on how appellants must preserve their right to appeal issues if they want access to the appellate courts. …
Continue Reading There’s No Appeal Without the Right to Appeal
Under Appellate Rule 10, the general rule is that appellate courts only decide issues properly raised, argued, and decided in the trial tribunal. But exceptions to this general rule exist…
Continue Reading Supreme Court Upholds Constitutionality of Another Error Preservation Statute
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many changes in the legal profession over the last 10 months. Those receiving the most focus have been, for obvious reasons, things like remote proceedings…
Continue Reading How Important Is Oral Argument In The Fourth Circuit?