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North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure – 2026

The North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure, promulgated by the Supreme Court of North Carolina, govern procedure in all appeals from the trial courts to the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court, including the record on appeal, briefs, motions, and oral argument.

Browse all 46 rules of the 2026 edition below. Each rule includes the full text, a plain-English summary, committee notes, amendment history, and cross-references to related rules. Use the search box to find rules by keyword or number.

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Article II: Appeals from Judgments and Orders of Superior Courts and District Courts Article III: Review by Supreme Court of Appeals Originally Docketed in the Court of Appeals—Appeals of Right; Discretionary Review Article IV: Direct Appeals from Administrative Tribunals to Appellate Division Article V: Extraordinary Writs Article VI: General Provisions
Rule 1 Title; Scope of Rules; Trial Tribunal Defined Rule 2 Suspension of Rules

Article II: Appeals from Judgments and Orders of Superior Courts and District Courts

Rule 3 Appeal in Civil Cases—How and When Taken Rule 3.1 Review in Cases Governed by Subchapter I of the Juvenile Code Rule 4 Appeal in Criminal Cases—How and When Taken Rule 5 Joinder of Parties on Appeal Rule 6 Security for Costs on Appeal Rule 7 Transcripts Rule 8 Stay Pending Appeal Rule 9 The Record on Appeal Rule 10 Preservation of Issues at Trial; Proposed Issues on Appeal Rule 11 Settling the Record on Appeal Rule 12 Filing the Record on Appeal; Docketing the Appeal; Copies Rule 13 Filing and Service of Briefs

Article III: Review by Supreme Court of Appeals Originally Docketed in the Court of Appeals—Appeals of Right; Discretionary Review

Rule 14 Appeals of Right from Court of Appeals to Supreme Court under N.C.G.S. § 7A-30 Rule 15 Discretionary Review on Certification by Supreme Court under N.C.G.S. § 7A-31 Rule 16 Scope of Review of Decisions of Court of Appeals Rule 17 Appeal Bond in Appeals Under N.C.G.S. §§ 7A-30, 7A-31

Article IV: Direct Appeals from Administrative Tribunals to Appellate Division

Rule 18 Taking Appeal; Record on Appeal—Composition and Settlement Rule 19 [Reserved] Rule 20 Miscellaneous Provisions of Law Governing Appeals from Administrative Tribunals

Article V: Extraordinary Writs

Rule 21 Certiorari Rule 22 Mandamus and Prohibition Rule 23 Supersedeas Rule 24 [Reserved]

Article VI: General Provisions

Rule 25 Penalties for Failure to Comply with Rules Rule 26 Filing and Service Rule 27 Computation and Extension of Time Rule 28 Briefs—Function and Content Rule 28.1 Amicus Curiae Rule 29 Sessions of Courts; Calendar of Hearings Rule 30 Oral Argument and Unpublished Opinions Rule 31 Petition for Rehearing Rule 31.1 Motion for En Banc Consideration by Court of Appeals Rule 32 Mandates of the Courts Rule 33 Attorneys Rule 33.1 Secure-Leave Periods for Attorneys Rule 34 Frivolous Appeals; Sanctions Rule 35 Costs Rule 36 Trial Judges Authorized to Enter Orders Under These Rules Rule 37 Motions in Appellate Courts Rule 38 Substitution of Parties Rule 39 Duties of Clerks; When Offices Open Rule 40 Consolidation of Actions on Appeal Rule 41 Appeal Information Statement Rule 42 Protecting Identities—Sealed Items and Identification Numbers