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Appellate Rules

The Appellate Rules Committee examines the rules of appellate procedure and recommends any revisions to the Board of Governors for ultimate referral and consideration by the N.C. Supreme Court.

The Committee is concerned with improving the quality of appellate practice in North Carolina. Its members – lawyers and judges from across the state – meet regularly to discuss appellate problems and possible solutions. Among other work, the committee has drafted proposed amendments to the N.C. Rules of Appellate Procedure for consideration by the Supreme Court. Past proposals have included measures to clarify ambiguities in the rules and to simplify procedures. The Appellate Rules Committee welcomes proposals relating to the appellate rules and appellate practice. To send such proposals, email Liv Highfill.

On December 20, 2016, the N.C. Supreme Court issued an order adopting amendments to the Rules of Appellate Procedure effective January 1, 2017. Changes include significant revisions regarding proper fonts and word limits in briefs, clarifications to the filing of Reply Briefs in Rule 3.1 (juvenile) cases, and clarifications to Rule 18 regarding administrative appeals from the Office of Administrative Hearings. Also, see Rule 31.1 which addresses the newly legislated en banc proceedings. View a summary of the amendments here. 

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