Definition of “Seal”

In all cases in which the seal of any court or judicial office is required by law to be affixed to any paper issuing from a court or office, the word “seal” shall be construed to include an impression of the official seal, made upon the paper alone, an impression made by means of a wafer or of wax affixed thereto, or an electronic image adopted as the official seal affixed thereto. The Administrative Office of the Courts may prescribe the format and appearance of an electronic image adopted for use as an official seal. History Note. 384 N.C. 698. 41 TOC Forms Form 1. Certificate of Readiness NORTH CAROLINA _______________ COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE _______________ COURT DIVISION PLAINTIFF -v- DEFENDANT FILE #: _______________ FILM #: _______________ CERTIFICATE OF READINESS As counsel of record for ______________________________ (name the party you represent), who is a plaintiff, defendant, third party, (underline one) I hereby certify that: A. B. C. D. I know of no procedural matters which would delay the trial of the case when called for jury trial; All motions existing of record this date have been heard or otherwise disposed of; I know of no parties or witnesses desired that will not be available on the trial date; I know of no current reason that would cause me to move for a continuance; E. I am ready for trial. This the _______________ day of _______________. ______________________________ Attorney History Note. 276 N.C. 735. Editor’s Note. The “Certificate of Readiness” form is referenced in the original version of Rule 2, 276 N.C. 735. A subsequent amendment to Rule 2, 300 N.C. 751, eliminated the reference to the form, but the Court has never eliminated the form itself. Accordingly, the form appears in this codification. 42 TOC Form 2 Form 2. Order on Final Pre-Trial Conference IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE ________________ COURT DIVISION Plaintiff(s) -v- Defendant(s) ) ) ) ) ) FILE #: _______________ FILM #: _______________ ORDER ON FINAL PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE Pursuant to the provisions of Rule 16 of the State Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 7, General Rules of Practice, a final pre-trial conference was held in the above-entitled cause on the _______________ day of _______________, 19____. _______________, Esquire, appeared as counsel for the plaintiff(s); _______________, Esquire, appeared as counsel for the defendant(s). (1) It is stipulated that all parties are properly before the court, and that the court has jurisdiction of the parties and of the subject matter. Note: If the facts are otherwise they should be accurately stated. (2) It is stipulated that all parties have been correctly designated, and there is no question as to misjoinder or nonjoinder of parties. Note: If the facts are otherwise, they should be accurately stated. (3) If any of the parties is appearing in a representative capacity, it should be set out whether there is any question concerning the validity of the appointment of the representatives. Letters or orders of appointment should be included as exhibits. (4) Any third-party defendant(s) or cross-claimant(s) should follow the same procedure as set out in paragraphs (4) and (5) for plaintiff(s) and defendant(s). (5) In addition to the other stipulations contained herein, the parties hereto stipulate and agree with respect to the following undisputed facts: (a) (b) 43 TOC Form 2 Note: Here set out all facts not in genuine dispute.* The following is a list of all known exhibits the plaintiff(s) may offer at (6) the trial: (a) (b) Note: Here list the pre-trial identification numbers and a brief description of each exhibit. (7) It is stipulated and agreed that opposing counsel has been furnished a copy of each exhibit identified by the plaintiff(s), except: Note: Here set out stipulations with respect to (a) the exhibits that have been furnished opposing counsel, (b) the arrangements made for the inspection of exhibits of the character which prohibits or makes * IN CONTRACT CASES, the parties may stipulate upon, or state their contentions with respect to, where applicable (a) whether the contract relied on was oral or in writing; (b) the date thereof and the parties thereto; (c) the substance of the contract, if oral; (d) the terms of the contract which are relied upon and the portions in controversy; (e) any collateral oral agreement, if claimed, and the terms thereof; (f) any specific breach of contract claimed; (g) any misrepresentation of fact claimed; (h) if modification of the contract or waiver of covenant is claimed, what modification or waiver, and how accomplished, and (i) an itemized statement of damages claimed to have resulted from any alleged breach, the source of such information, how computed, and any books or records available to sustain such damage claimed. IN MOTOR VEHICLE NEGLIGENCE CASES, the parties may stipulate upon, or state their contentions with respect to, where applicable (a) the owner, type and make of each vehicle involved; (b) the agency of each driver; (c) the place and time of accident, conditions of weather, and whether daylight or dark; (d) nature of terrain as to level, uphill or downhill; (e) traffic signs, signals and controls, if any, and by what authority placed; (f) any claimed obstruction of view; (g) presence of other vehicles, where significant; (h) a detailed list of acts negligence or contributory negligence claimed; (i) specific statutes, ordinances, rules, or regulations alleged to have been violated, and upon which each of the parties will rely at the trial to establish negligence or contributory negligence; (j) a detailed list of nonpermanent personal injuries claimed, including the nature and extent thereof; (k) a detailed list of permanent personal injuries claimed, including nature and extent thereof; (l) the age of any party alleged to have been injured; (m) the life and work expectancy of any party seeking to recover for permanent injury; (n) an itemized statement of all special damages, such as medical, hospital, nursing, etc., with the amount and to whom paid; (o) if loss of earnings is claimed; (p) a detailed list of any property damages, and (q) in death cases, the decedent’s date of birth, marital status, employment for five years before date of death, work expectancy, reasonable probability of promotion, rate of earnings for five years before date of death, life expectancy under mortuary table, and general physical condition immediately prior to date of death. IN THE EVENT THIS CASE DOES NOT FALL WITHIN ANY OF THE CATEGORIES ENUMERATED ABOVE, OR ANY OF THE CATEGORIES SUGGESTED BY THIS FORM, COUNSEL SHOULD, NEVERTHELESS, SET FORTH THEIR POSITIONS WITH AS MUCH DETAIL AS POSSIBLE. 44 TOC Form 2 impractical their reproduction, and (c) any waiver of the requirement to furnish opposing counsel with a copy of exhibits. (8) It is stipulated and agreed that each of the exhibits identified by the plaintiff(s) is genuine and, if relevant and material, may be received in evidence without further identification or proof, except: Note: Here set out with particularity the basis of objection to specific exhibits. It is permissible to generally reserve the right to object at the trial on grounds of relevancy and materiality. (9) The following is a list of all known exhibits the defendant(s) may offer at the trial: (a) (b) Note: Here list the pre-trial identification numbers and a brief description of each exhibit. (10) It is stipulated and agreed that opposing counsel has been furnished a copy of each exhibit identified by the defendant(s), except: Note: Here set out stipulations with respect to (a) the exhibits that have been furnished opposing counsel, (b) the arrangements made for the inspection of exhibits of the character which prohibits or makes impractical their reproduction, and (c) any waiver of the requirement to furnish opposing counsel with a copy of exhibits. (11) It is stipulated and agreed that each of the exhibits identified by the defendant(s) is genuine, and, if relevant and material, may be received in evidence without further identification or proof, except: Note: Here set out with particularity the basis of objection to specific exhibits. It is permissible to generally reserve the right to object at the trial on grounds of relevancy and materiality. (12) Any third-party defendant(s) and cross-claimant(s) should follow the same procedure with respect to exhibits as required of plaintiff(s) and defendant(s). Note: Attention is called to the provisions of the pre-trial rule with respect to the obligation to immediately notify opposing counsel if additional exhibits are discovered after the preparation of this order. (13) The following is a list of the names and addresses of all known witnesses the plaintiff(s) may offer at the trial: Note: If either plaintiff’s or defendant’s attorney discovers additional witnesses after this listing, attention is called to obligation to notify opposing counsel. There shall be no requirement that all witnesses listed 45 TOC Form 2 by a party be used, and the court may after satisfactory explanation, in his discretion, permit the use of a witness not listed. The trial judge may, for good cause made known to him, relieve a party of the requirement of disclosing the name of any witness. (14) The following is a list of the names and addresses of all known witnesses the defendant(s) may offer at the trial: (15) Any third-party defendant(s) and cross-claimant(s) should follow the same procedure with respect to witnesses as above outlined for plaintiff(s) and defendant(s). Counsel shall immediately notify opposing counsel if the names of additional witnesses are discovered after the preparation of this order. (16) There are no pending motions, and neither party desires further amendments to the pleadings, except: Note: Here state facts regarding pending or impending motion. If any motions are contemplated, such as motion for the physical examination of a party, motion to take the deposition of a witness for use as evidence, etc., such motions should be filed in advance of the final pre-trial conference so that they may be ruled upon, and the rulings stated in the final pre-trial order. The same procedure should be followed with respect to any desired amendments to pleadings. (17) Additional consideration has been given to a separation of the triable issues, and counsel for all parties are of the opinion that a separation of issues in this particular case would (would not) be feasible. (18) The plaintiff(s) contends (contend) that the contested issues to be tried by the court (jury) are as follows: (19) The defendant(s) contends (contend) that the contested issues to be tried by the court (jury) are as follows: (20) Any third-party defendant(s) and cross-claimant(s) contends (contend) that the contested issues to be tried by the court (jury) are as follows: Note: In all instances possible, the parties should agree upon the triable issues and include them in this order in the form of a stipulation, in lieu of the three preceding paragraphs. (21) Counsel for the parties announced that all witnesses are available and the case is in all respects ready for trial. The probable length of the trial is estimated to be _______________ days. (22) Counsel for the parties represent to the court that, in advance of the preparation of this order, there was a full and frank discussion of settlement possibilities. Counsel for the plaintiff will immediately notify the clerk in the event of material change in settlement prospects. 46 TOC Form 2 Note: Counsel shall be required to conduct a frank discussion concerning settlement possibilities at the time of the conference of attorneys, and clients shall either be consulted in advance of the conference concerning settlement figures or be available for consultation at the time of the conference. The court will make inquiry at the time of trial as to whether this requirement was strictly observed. ______________________________ Counsel for Plaintiff(s) ______________________________ Counsel for Defendant(s) Date: ______________________________ Approved and Ordered Filed. ______________________________ Judge Presiding History Note. 276 N.C. 735. Editor’s Note. The “Order on Final Pre-Trial Conference” form is referenced in Rule 7. References in the General Rules of Practice to statutes, other rule sets, and caselaw have not been updated in this codification. 47 A Publication Record of the General Rules of Practice TOC Reporter Volume Page(s) Rules Affected Key Dates* 276 N.C. 735–47 Complete Rule Set 282 N.C. 300 N.C. 304 N.C. 304 N.C. 304 N.C. 737 751–52 743 744 745 Rule 3 Rule 2 Rule 5 Rule 21 Rule 22 306 N.C. 797–801 Rule 15 307 N.C. 311 N.C. 311 N.C. 741 774 775 Rule 15 Rule 6 Rule 15 319 N.C. 681–82 Rule 15 Adopted 14 May 1970 Effective 1 July 1970 Adopted 13 February 1973 Adopted 3 June 1980 Ordered 5 May 1981 Effective 1 July 1982 Adopted 15 September 1981 Adopted 21 September 1981 Adopted 21 September 1982 Order suspends Rule 15 from 18 October 1982 through 18 October 1984 and implements a temporary rule Adopted 10 November 1982 Order amends the temporary rule that the Court adopted on 21 September 1982 Ordered 28 August 1984 Effective 1 January 1985 Adopted 1 October 1984 Order extends the effective date of the temporary rule, as amended, through 31 December 1984 Adopted 24 June 1987 Order further amends the temporary rule and makes the temporary rule, as amended, effective from 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1988 48 A Publication Record of the General Rules of Practice TOC Reporter Volume Page(s) Rules Affected Key Dates* 319 N.C. 322 N.C. 322 N.C. 322 N.C. 683 841 842 868 327 N.C. 664–69 327 N.C. 670 329 N.C. 805–07 336 N.C. 789–90 Rule 2.1 Rule 2.1 Rules 2, 8 Rule 15 Rule 15 Rule 7.1 Rule 23 Rule 24 Ordered 5 January 1988 Effective 5 January 1988 Reprint of Order Dated 5 January 1988 Ordered 16 May 1988 Effective 1 July 1988 Adopted 30 June 1988 Order further amends the temporary rule and makes the temporary rule, as amended, effective from 1 July 1988 to 30 June 1990 Adopted 13 June 1990 Adopted 26 July 1990 Effective 1 October 1990 Adopted 14 August 1991 Adopted 7 April 1994 Effective 1 June 1994 341 N.C. 737–44 Rules 2.1, 2.2, 23.1 Adopted 28 August 1995 344 N.C. 346 N.C. 346 N.C. 743 805 805 Rule 5 Rule 5 Rule 5 Adopted 5 September 1996 Effective 1 October 1996 Adopted 25 June 1997 Effective 1 August 1997 Adopted 24 July 1997 Order delays the effective date of the Court’s 25 June 1997 order until 1 October 1997 49 A Publication Record of the General Rules of Practice TOC Reporter Volume Page(s) Rules Affected Key Dates* 348 N.C. 709 Rule 25 350 N.C. 861–64 Rule 26 Adopted 7 May 1998 Effective 1 June 1998 Adopted 6 May 1999 Effective 1 January 2000 Rules 3, 3.1 Adopted 15 August 2002 356 N.C. 356 N.C. 357 N.C. 703–05 710–11 669–70 Rule 25 Rule 25 358 N.C. 746–49 Rule 3.1 Adopted 19 December 2002 Adopted 1 May 2003 Adopted 4 March 2004 Effective 4 March 2004 372 N.C. 896–901 Rule 26 Ordered 4 September 2019 Effective for secure-leave periods designated on or after 11 September 2019 374 N.C. 943–44 Rules 2, 26** Ordered 14 May 2020 375 N.C. 969–70 Rule 5 377 N.C. 736–43 Rules 5, 5.1, 22, 27 378 N.C. 749–50 Rule 6 379 N.C. 770–71 Rule 28 Ordered 23 September 2020 Effective 1 October 2020 Ordered 21 April 2021 Effective 10 May 2021 Ordered 25 August 2021 Effective 1 September 2021 Ordered 14 December 2021 Effective 1 January 2022 50 A Publication Record of the General Rules of Practice TOC Reporter Volume Page(s) Rules Affected 384 N.C. 692–97 Rules 5, 5.1 384 N.C. 698 Rule 29 Key Dates* Ordered 1 February 2023 Effective 13 February 2023 Ordered 9 February 2023 Effective 13 February 2023 * The type of date provided for each published entry (e.g., “Adopted,” “Effective,” “Ordered”) reflects the information that was preserved in the North Carolina Reports. ** Order granted emergency relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supreme Court’s modification to Rule 2(b) in this order was temporary (see Editor’s Note to Rule 2). Document ID General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts – Codified 6 August 2025 51 [email protected] www.NCcourts.gov/courts/supreme-court