Pleadings and Amendments

(a) Definition of Pleadings. The Statement of Charges and Verified Answer shall constitute the pleadings. No further pleadings may be filed and no dispositive motions may be filed at any time in the proceedings, including at the close of evidence in a disciplinary or disability hearing held pursuant to Rule 19. (b) Amendments to Pleadings Prior to the Disciplinary or Disability Hearing. At any time prior to the commencement of a disciplinary or disability hearing held pursuant to Rule 19, the investigative panel that authorized the Statement of Charges against the Respondent may authorize an amendment to the Statement of Charges in order to include new factual allegations and charges in accordance with Rule 12. The amended Statement of Charges shall be served on the Respondent in the same manner as required under Rule 12, and the Respondent shall have the right to answer new or amended charges in accordance with Rule 13. (c) Amendments to Pleadings During the Disciplinary Hearing. Once the disciplinary or disability hearing has commenced, and at any time prior to its conclusion, the hearing panel may allow amendments to the pleadings to conform to the proof or defenses offered at the disciplinary or disability hearing. History Note. 374 N.C. 960.