Chapter 1

Chapter 1.

Civil Procedure.

SUBCHAPTER I. DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Article 1.

Definitions.

§ 1‑1. Remedies.

Remedies in the courts of justice are divided into –

(1) Actions.

(2) Special proceedings. (C.C.P., s. 1; Code, s. 125; Rev., s. 346; C.S., s. 391.)

§ 1‑2. Actions.

An action is an ordinary proceeding in a court of justice, by which a party prosecutes another party for the enforcement or protection of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment or prevention of a public offense. (C.C.P., s. 2; 1868‑9, c. 277, s. 2; Code, s. 126; Rev., s. 347; C.S., s. 392.)

§ 1‑3. Special proceedings.

Every other remedy is a special proceeding. (C.C.P., s. 3; Code, s. 127; Rev., s. 348; C.S., s. 393.)

§ 1‑4. Kinds of actions.

Actions are of two kinds –

(1) Civil.

(2) Criminal. (C.C.P., s. 4; Code, s. 128; Rev., s. 349; C.S., s. 394.)

§ 1‑5. Criminal action.

A criminal action is –

(1) An action prosecuted by the State as a party, against a person charged with a public offense, for the punishment thereof.

(2) An action prosecuted by the State, at the instance of an individual, to prevent an apprehended crime against his person or property. (Const., art. 4, s. 1; C.C.P., s. 5; Code, s. 129; Rev., s. 350; C.S., s. 395.)

§ 1‑6. Civil action.

Every other is a civil action. (C.C.P., s. 6; Code, s. 130; Rev., s. 351; C.S., s. 396.)

§ 1‑7. When court means clerk.

In the following sections which confer jurisdiction or power, or impose duties, where the words "superior court," or "court," in reference to a superior court are used, they mean the clerk of the superior court, unless otherwise specially stated, or unless reference is made to a regular session of the court, in which cases the judge of the court alone is meant. (C.C.P., s. 9; Code, s. 132; Rev., s. 352; C.S., s. 397; 1971, c. 381, s. 12.)

Article 2.

General Provisions.

§ 1‑8. Remedies not merged.

Where the violation of a right admits both of a civil and a criminal remedy, the right to prosecute the one is not merged in the other. (C.C.P., s. 7; Code, s. 131; Rev., s. 353; C.S., s. 398.)

§ 1‑9. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑10. Plaintiff and defendant.

In civil actions the party complaining is the plaintiff, and the adverse party the defendant. (C.C.P., s. 13; Code, s. 134; Rev., s. 355; C.S., s. 400.)

§ 1‑11. How party may appear.

A party may appear either in person or by attorney in actions or proceedings in which he is interested. (C.C.P., s. 423; Code, s. 109; Rev., s. 356; C.S., s. 401.)

§ 1‑12. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑13. Jurisdiction of clerk.

The clerk of the superior court has jurisdiction to hear and decide all questions of practice and procedure and all other matters over which jurisdiction is given to the superior court, unless the judge of the court or the court at a regular session is expressly referred to. (C.C.P., s. 108; Code, s. 251; Rev., s. 358; C.S., s. 403; 1971, c. 381, s. 12.)

SUBCHAPTER II. LIMITATIONS.

Article 3.

Limitations, General Provisions.

§ 1‑14. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑15. Statute runs from accrual of action.

(a) Civil actions can only be commenced within the periods prescribed in this Chapter, after the cause of action has accrued, except where in special cases a different limitation is prescribed by statute.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 1979, c. 654, s. 3.

(c) Except where otherwise provided by statute, a cause of action for malpractice arising out of the performance of or failure to perform professional services shall be deemed to accrue at the time of the occurrence of the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action: Provided that whenever there is bodily injury to the person, economic or monetary loss, or a defect in or damage to property which originates under circumstances making the injury, loss, defect or damage not readily apparent to the claimant at the time of its origin, and the injury, loss, defect or damage is discovered or should reasonably be discovered by the claimant two or more years after the occurrence of the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action, suit must be commenced within one year from the date discovery is made: Provided nothing herein shall be construed to reduce the statute of limitation in any such case below three years. Provided further, that in no event shall an action be commenced more than four years from the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action: Provided further, that where damages are sought by reason of a foreign object, which has no therapeutic or diagnostic purpose or effect, having been left in the body, a person seeking damages for malpractice may commence an action therefor within one year after discovery thereof as hereinabove provided, but in no event may the action be commenced more than 10 years from the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action. (C.C.P., s. 17; Code, s. 138; Rev., s. 360; C.S., s. 405; 1967, c. 954, s. 3; 1971, c. 1157, s. 1; 1975, 2nd Sess., c. 977, ss. 1, 2; 1979, c. 654, s. 3.)

§ 1‑15.1. Statutes of limitation and repose for civil actions seeking to recover damages arising out of a criminal act.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a defendant is convicted of a criminal offense and is ordered by the court to pay restitution or restitution is imposed as a condition of probation, special probation, work release, or parole, then all applicable statutes of limitation and statutes of repose, except as established herein, are tolled for the period set forth in this subsection for purposes of any civil action brought by an aggrieved party against that defendant for damages arising out of the offense for which the defendant was convicted. Any statute of limitation or repose applicable in the civil action shall be tolled from the time of entry of the court order

(1) Requiring that restitution be made,

(2) Making restitution a condition of probation or special probation, or

(3) Recommending that restitution be made a condition of work release or parole,

and until the defendant has paid in full the amount of restitution ordered or imposed. Except as provided in G.S. 15B‑34, an action to recover damages arising out of the criminal offense shall not be commenced more than 10 years from the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action.

(b) In any civil action brought by an aggrieved party against the defendant for damages arising out of the offense for which the defendant was convicted:

(1) The defendant has the right to contest the amount of damages;

(2) The amount of any restitution ordered or imposed shall not be admissible into evidence; and

(3) All restitution paid by the defendant to the aggrieved party shall be credited against any judgment rendered in the action against that defendant.

(c) This section shall not apply if the offense of which the defendant was convicted was an offense established in Chapter 20 of the General Statutes.

(d) A plea of no contest shall be considered the same as a conviction for purposes of this section. (1989, c. 535, s. 1; 2004‑159, s. 3.)

§ 1‑16. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑17. Disabilities.

(a) A person entitled to commence an action who is under a disability at the time the cause of action accrued may bring his or her action within the time limited in this Subchapter, after the disability is removed, except in an action for the recovery of real property, or to make an entry or defense founded on the title to real property, or to rents and services out of the real property, when the person must commence his or her action, or make the entry, within three years next after the removal of the disability, and at no time thereafter.

For the purpose of this section, a person is under a disability if the person meets one or more of the following conditions:

(1) The person is within the age of 18 years.

(2) The person is insane.

(3) The person is incompetent as defined in G.S. 35A‑1101(7) or (8).

(a1) For those persons under a disability on January 1, 1976, as a result of being imprisoned on a criminal charge, or in execution under sentence for a criminal offense, the statute of limitations shall commence to run and no longer be tolled from January 1, 1976.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, an action on behalf of a minor for malpractice arising out of the performance of or failure to perform professional services shall be commenced within the limitations of time specified in G.S. 1‑15(c), except that if those time limitations expire before the minor attains the full age of 19 years, the action may be brought before the minor attains the full age of 19 years. (C.C.P., ss. 27, 142; Code, ss. 148, 163; 1899, c. 78; Rev., s. 362; C.S., s. 407; 1971, c. 1231, s. 1; 1975, c. 252, ss. 1, 3; 1975, 2nd Sess., c. 977, s. 3; 1987, c. 798; 2001‑487, s. 1.)

§ 1‑18. Disability of marriage.

In any action in which the defense of adverse possession is relied upon, the time computed as constituting such adverse possession shall not include any possession had against a feme covert during coverture prior to February 13, 1899. (1899, c. 78, ss. 2, 3; Rev., s. 363; C.S., s. 408.)

§ 1‑19. Cumulative disabilities.

When two or more disabilities coexist at the time the right of action accrues, or when one disability supervenes an existing one, the limitation does not attach until they all are removed. (C.C.P., ss. 28, 49; Code, ss. 149, 170; Rev., s. 364; C.S., s. 409.)

§ 1‑20. Disability must exist when right of action accrues.

No person may avail himself of a disability except as authorized in G.S. 1‑19, unless it existed when his right of action accrued. (C.C.P., s. 48; Code, s. 169; Rev., s. 365; C.S., s. 410.)

§ 1‑21. Defendant out of State; when action begun or judgment enforced.

If when the cause of action accrues or judgment is rendered or docketed against a person, he is out of the State, action may be commenced, or judgment enforced within the times herein limited after the return of the person into this State, and if, after such cause of action accrues or judgment is rendered or docketed, such person departs from and resides out of this State, or remains continuously absent therefrom for one year or more, the time of his absence shall not be a part of the time limited for the commencement of the action or the enforcement of the judgment. Provided, that where a cause of action arose outside of this State and is barred by the laws of the jurisdiction in which it arose, no action may be maintained in the courts of this State for the enforcement thereof, except where the cause of action originally accrued in favor of a resident of this State.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to the extent that a court of this State has or continues to have jurisdiction over the person under the provisions of G.S. 1‑75.4. (C.C.P., s. 41; 1881, c. 258, ss. 1, 2; Code, s. 162; Rev., s. 366; C.S., s. 411; 1955, c. 544; 1979, c. 525, s. 1.)

§ 1‑22. Death before limitation expires; action by or against personal representative or collector.

If a person entitled to bring an action dies before the expiration of the time limited for the commencement thereof, and the cause of action survives, an action may be commenced by his personal representative or collector after the expiration of that time, and within one year from his death. If a person against whom an action may be brought dies before the expiration of the time limited for the commencement thereof, and the cause of action survives, an action may be commenced against his personal representative or collector after the expiration of that time; provided, the action is brought or notice of the claim upon which the action is based is presented to the personal representative or collector within the time specified for the presentation of claims in G.S. 28A‑19‑3. If the claim upon which the cause of action is based is filed with the personal representative or collector within the time above specified, and its validity is admitted in writing by him, it is not necessary to bring an action upon such claim to prevent the bar, but no action shall be brought against the personal representative or collector upon such claim after his final settlement. (C.C.P., s. 43; 1881, c. 80; Code, s. 164; Rev., s. 367; C.S., s. 412; 1977, c. 446, s. 2.)

§ 1‑23. Time of stay by injunction or prohibition.

When the commencement of an action is stayed by injunction or statutory prohibition, the time of the continuance of the injunction or prohibition is not part of the time limited for the commencement of the action. (C.C.P., s. 46; Code, s. 167; Rev., s. 368; C.S., s. 413.)

§ 1‑24. Time during controversy on probate of will or granting letters.

In reckoning time when pleaded as a bar to actions, that period shall not be counted which elapses during any controversy on the probate of a will or granting letters of administration, unless there is an administrator appointed during the pendency of the action, and it is provided that an action may be brought against him. (C.C.P., s. 47; Code, s. 168; Rev., s. 369; C.S., s. 414.)

§ 1‑25. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑26. New promise must be in writing.

No acknowledgment or promise is evidence of a new or continuing contract, from which the statutes of limitations run, unless it is contained in some writing signed by the party to be charged thereby; but this section does not alter the effect of any payment of principal or interest. (C.C.P., s. 51; Code, s. 172; Rev., s. 371; C.S., s. 416.)

§ 1‑27. Act, admission or acknowledgment by party to obligation, co‑obligor or guarantor.

(a) After a cause of action has accrued on any obligation on which there is more than one obligor, any act, admission, or acknowledgment by any party to such obligation or guarantor thereof, which removes the bar of the statute of limitations or causes the statute to begin running anew, has such effect only as to the party doing such act or making such admission or acknowledgment, and shall not renew, extend or in any manner impose liability of any kind against other parties to such obligation who have not authorized or ratified the same.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed as applying to or affecting rights or obligations of partnerships or individual members thereof, due to acts, admissions or acknowledgments of any one partner but rights as between partners shall be governed by G.S. 59‑39.1. (C.C.P., s. 50; Code, s. 171; Rev., s. 372; C.S., s. 417; 1953, c. 1076, s. 1.)

§ 1‑28. Undisclosed partner.

The statutes of limitations apply to a civil action brought against an undisclosed partner only from the time the partnership became known to the plaintiff. (1893, c. 151; Rev., s. 373; C.S., s. 418.)

§ 1‑29. Cotenants.

If in actions by tenants in common or joint tenants of personal property, to recover the same, or damages for its detention or injury, any of them are barred of their recovery by limitation of time, the rights of the others are not affected thereby, but they may recover according to their right and interest, notwithstanding such bar. (C.C.P., s. 52; Code, s. 173; Rev., s. 374; C.S., s. 419; 1921, c. 106.)

§ 1‑30. Applicable to actions by State.

The limitations prescribed by law apply to civil actions brought in the name of the State, or for its benefit, in the same manner as to actions by or for the benefit of private parties. (C.C.P., s. 38; Code, s. 159; Rev., s. 375; C.S., s. 420.)

§ 1‑31. Action upon a mutual, open and current account.

In an action brought to recover a balance due upon a mutual, open and current account, where there have been reciprocal demands between the parties, the cause of action accrues from the time of the latest item proved in the account on either side. (C.C.P., s. 39; Code, s. 160; Rev., s. 376; C.S., s. 421; 1951, c. 837, s. 1.)

§ 1‑32. Not applicable to bank bills.

The limitations prescribed by law do not affect actions to enforce the payment of bills, notes or other evidences of debt, issued or put in circulation as money by banking corporations incorporated under the laws of this State. (C.C.P., s. 53; 1874‑5, c. 170; Code, s. 174; Rev., s. 377; C.S., s. 422.)

§ 1‑33. Actions against bank directors or stockholders.

The limitations prescribed by law do not affect actions against directors or stockholders of any banking association incorporated under the laws of this State, to recover a penalty or forfeiture imposed, or to enforce a liability created by law; but such actions must be brought within three years after the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts upon which the penalty or forfeiture attached, or the liability was created. (C.C.P., s. 54; Code, s. 175; Rev., s. 378; C.S., s. 423.)

§ 1‑34. Aliens in time of war.

When a person is an alien subject, or a citizen of a country at war with the United States, the time of the continuance of the war is not a part of the period limited for the commencement of the action. (C.C.P., s. 44; Code, s. 165; Rev., s. 379; C.S., s. 424.)

Article 4.

Limitations, Real Property.

§ 1‑35. Title against State.

The State will not sue any person for, or in respect of, any real property, or the issue or profits thereof, by reason of the right or title of the State to the same –

(1) When the person in possession thereof, or those under whom he claims, has been in the adverse possession thereof for thirty years, this possession having been ascertained and identified under known and visible lines or boundaries; which shall give a title in fee to the possessor.

(2) When the person in possession thereof, or those under whom he claims, has been in possession under color of title for twenty‑one years, this possession having been ascertained and identified under known and visible lines or boundaries. (R.C., c. 65, s. 2; C.C.P., s. 18; Code, s. 139; Rev., s. 380; C.S., s. 425.)

§ 1‑36. Title presumed out of State.

In all actions involving the title to real property title is conclusively deemed to be out of the State unless it is a party to the action, but this section does not apply to the trials of protested entries laid for the purpose of obtaining grants, nor to actions instituted prior to May 1, 1917. (1917, c. 195; C.S., s. 426.)

§ 1‑37. Such possession valid against claimants under State.

All such possession as is described in G.S. 1‑35, under such title as is therein described, is hereby ratified and confirmed, and declared to be good and legal bar against the entry or suit of any person, under the right or claim of the State. (C.C.P., s. 19; Code, s. 140; Rev., s. 381; C.S., s. 427.)

§ 1‑38. Seven years' possession under color of title.

(a) When a person or those under whom he claims is and has been in possession of any real property, under known and visible lines and boundaries and under color of title, for seven years, no entry shall be made or action sustained against such possessor by a person having any right or title to the same, except during the seven years next after his right or title has descended or accrued, who in default of suing within that time shall be excluded from any claim thereafter made; and such possession, so held, is a perpetual bar against all persons not under disability: Provided, that commissioner's deeds in judicial sales and trustee's deeds under foreclosure shall also constitute color of title.

(b) If

(1) The marking of boundaries on the property by distinctive markings on trees or by the implacement of visible metal or concrete boundary markers in the boundary lines surrounding the property, such markings to be visible to a height of 18 inches above the ground, and

(2) The recording of a map prepared from an actual survey by a surveyor registered under the laws of North Carolina, in the book of maps in the office of the register of deeds in the county where the real property is located, with a certificate attached to said map by which the surveyor certifies that the boundaries as shown by the map are those described in the deed or other title instrument or proceeding from which the survey was made, the surveyor's certificate reciting the book and page or file number of the deed, other title instrument or proceeding from which the survey was made,

then the listing and paying of taxes on the real property marked and for which a survey and map have been certified and recorded as provided in subdivisions (1) and (2) above shall constitute prima facie evidence of possession of real property under known and visible lines and boundaries. Maps recorded prior to October 1, 1973 may be qualified under this statute by the recording of certificates prepared in accordance with subdivision (b)(2) above. Such certificates must contain the book and page number where the map is filed, in addition to the information required by subdivision (b)(2) above, and shall be recorded and indexed in the deed books. When a certificate is filed to qualify such a recorded map, the register of deeds shall make a marginal notation on the map in the following form: "Certificate filed pursuant to G.S. 1‑38(b), book______ (enter book where filed), page _____"

(c) Maps recorded prior to October 1, 1973 shall qualify as if they had been certified as herein provided if said maps can be proven to conform to the boundary lines on the ground and to conform to instruments of record conveying the land which is the subject matter of the map, to the person whose name is indicated on said recorded map as the owner thereof. Maps recorded after October 1, 1973 shall comply with the provisions for a certificate as hereinbefore set forth. (C.C.P., s. 20; Code, s. 141; Rev., s. 382; C.S., s. 428; 1963, c. 1132; 1973, c. 250; 1975, c. 207.)

§ 1‑39. Seizin within twenty years necessary.

No action for the recovery or possession of real property shall be maintained, unless it appears that the plaintiff, or those under whom he claims, was seized or possessed of the premises in question within 20 years before the commencement of the action, unless he was under the disabilities prescribed by law. (C.C.P., s. 22; Code, s. 143; Rev., s. 383; C.S., s. 429.)

§ 1‑40. Twenty years adverse possession.

No action for the recovery or possession of real property, or the issues and profits thereof, shall be maintained when the person in possession thereof, or defendant in the action, or those under whom he claims, has possessed the property under known and visible lines and boundaries adversely to all other persons for 20 years; and such possession so held gives a title in fee to the possessor, in such property, against all persons not under disability. (C.C.P., s. 23; Code, s. 144; Rev., s. 384; C.S., s. 430.)

§ 1‑41. Action after entry.

No entry upon real estate shall be deemed sufficient or valid, as a claim, unless an action is commenced thereupon within one year after the making of the entry, and within the time prescribed in this Chapter. (C.C.P., s. 24; Code, s. 145; Rev., s. 385; C.S., s. 431.)

§ 1‑42. Possession follows legal title; severance of surface and subsurface rights.

In every action for the recovery or possession of real property, or damages for a trespass on such possession, the person establishing a legal title to the premises is presumed to have been possessed thereof within the time required by law; and the occupation of such premises by any other person is deemed to have been under, and in subordination to, the legal title, unless it appears that the premises have been held and possessed adversely to the legal title for the time prescribed by law before the commencement of the action. Provided that a record chain of title to the premises for a period of thirty years next preceding the commencement of the action, together with the identification of the lands described therein, shall be prima facie evidence of possession thereof within the time required by law.

In all controversies and litigation wherein it shall be made to appear from the public records that there has been at some previous time a separation or severance between the surface and the subsurface rights, title or properties of an area, no holder or claimant of the subsurface title or rights therein shall be entitled to evidence or prove any use of the surface, by himself or by his predecessors in title or of lessees or agents, as adverse possession against the holder of said surface rights or title; and likewise no holder or claimant of the surface rights shall be entitled to evidence or prove any use of the subsurface rights, by himself, or by his predecessors in title or of lessees or agents, as adverse possession against the holder of said subsurface rights, unless, in either case, at the time of beginning such allegedly adverse use and in each year of the same, said party or his predecessor in title so using shall have placed or caused to be placed upon the records of the register of deeds of the county wherein such property lies and in a book therein kept or provided for such purposes, a brief notice of intended use giving (i) the date of beginning or recommencing of the operation or use, (ii) a brief description of the property involved but sufficiently adequate to make said property readily locatable therefrom, (iii) the name and, if known, the address of the claimant of the right under which the operation or use is to be carried on or made and (iv) the deed or other instrument, if any, under which the right to conduct such operation or to make such use is claimed or to which it is to be attached. (C.C.P., s. 25; Code, s. 146; Rev., s. 386; C.S., s. 432; 1945, c. 869; 1959, c. 469; 1965, c. 1094.)

§ 1‑42.1. Certain ancient mineral claims extinguished in certain counties.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interests in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land and such interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another, or that the record title holder of any such oil, gas or mineral interests has not listed the same for ad valorem tax purposes in the county in which the same is located for a period of ten (10) years prior to January 1, 1965, any person, having the legal capacity to own land in this State, who has on September 1, 1965 an unbroken chain of title of record to such surface estate of such area of land for fifty (50) years or more, and provided such surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to such surface estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to such interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments of which such chain of record title is formed.

(b) Such marketable title shall be held by such person and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interests in such area of land founded upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple which was executed or recorded fifty (50) years or more prior to September 1, 1965, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared to be null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity: Provided, however, that any such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest may be preserved and kept effective by recording within two (2) years after September 1, 1965, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of such oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. Such notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein such area of land, or any part thereof lies, and in the book therein kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant and, if known, the name of the surface owner and also contain either such a description of the area of land involved as to make said property readily located thereby or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of such oil, gas or mineral interest. Such notice may be made and recorded by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is either under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing such notice of claim for record.

(c) This section shall be construed to effect the legislative purpose of facilitating land title transactions by extinguishing certain ancient oil, gas or mineral claims unless preserved by recording as herein provided. The oil, gas or mineral claims hereby extinguished shall include those of persons whether within or without the State, and whether natural or corporate, but shall exclude governmental claims, State or federal, and all such claims by reason of unexpired oil, gas or mineral releases.

(d) All oil, gas or mineral interests in lands severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership must be listed for ad valorem taxes and notice of such interest must be filed in writing in the manner provided by G.S. 1‑42.1(b) and recorded in the local registry in the book provided by G.S. 1‑42 within two years from September 1, 1967, to be effective against the surface fee simple owner or creditors, purchasers, heirs or assigns of such owner. Subsurface oil, gas and mineral interests shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes as real property and such taxes shall be collected and foreclosed in the manner authorized by Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. The board of county commissioners shall publish a notice of this subsection in a newspaper published in the county or having general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to September 1, 1967.

The provisions of this subsection shall apply to the following counties: Anson, Buncombe, Durham, Franklin, Guilford, Hoke, Jackson, Montgomery, Person, Richmond, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Wake and Warren. (1965, c. 1072, s. 1; 1967, c. 905.)

§ 1‑42.2. Certain additional ancient mineral claims extinguished; oil, gas and mineral interests to be recorded and listed for taxation.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interests in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land and such interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another, or that the record titleholder of any such oil, gas or mineral interests has not listed the same for ad valorem tax purposes in the county in which the same is located for a period of 10 years prior to January 1, 1971, any person, having the legal capacity to own land in this State, who has on September 1, 1971, an unbroken chain of title of record to such surface estate of such area of land for at least 50 years and provided such surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to such surface estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to such interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments of which such chain of record title is formed.

(b) Such marketable title shall be held by such person and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interests in such area of land founded upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple which was executed or recorded at least 50 but not more than 56 years prior to September 1, 1971, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared to be null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity: Provided, however, that any such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest may be preserved and kept effective by recording within two years after September 1, 1971, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of such oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. Such notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein such area of land, or any part thereof lies, and in the book therein kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant and, if known, the name of the surface owner and also contain either such a description of the area of land involved as to make said property readily located thereby or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of such oil, gas or mineral interest. Such notice may be made and recorded by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is either under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing such notice of claim for record.

(d) Within two years from November 1, 1971, all oil, gas or mineral interests in lands severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership must be listed for ad valorem taxes and notice of such interest must be filed in writing in the manner provided by G.S. 1‑ 42.2(b) and recorded in the local registry in the book provided by G.S. 1‑42, to be effective against the surface fee simple owner or creditors, purchasers, heirs or assigns of such owner. Subsurface oil, gas and mineral interests shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes as real property and such taxes shall be collected and foreclosed in the manner authorized by Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. The board of county commissioners shall publish a notice of this subsection in a newspaper published in the county or having general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to November 1, 1971.

The provisions of this subsection shall apply to the following counties: Rowan, Anson, Buncombe, Catawba, Davidson, Durham, Franklin, Guilford, Haywood, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Madison, Montgomery, Moore, Person, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Wake, Warren and Yancey. (1971, c. 235, s. 1; c. 855.)

§ 1‑42.3. Additional ancient mineral claims extinguished in certain counties; oil, gas and mineral interests to be recorded and listed for taxation in such counties.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interests in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land and such interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another, or that the record titleholder of any such oil, gas or mineral interests has not listed the same for ad valorem tax purposes in the county in which the same is located for a period of 10 years prior to January 1, 1974, any person having the legal capacity to own land in this State, who has on September 1, 1974, an unbroken chain of title of record to such surface estate of such area of land for at least 50 years and provided such surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to such surface estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to such interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments of which such chain of record title is formed.

(b) Such marketable title shall be held by such person and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest in such area of land founded upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple which was executed or recorded at least 50 years or more prior to September 1, 1974, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared to be null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity: Provided, however, that any such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest may be preserved and kept effective by recording within two years after September 1, 1974, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of such oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. Such notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein such area of land, or any part thereof lies, and in the book therein kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant and, if known, the name of the surface owner and also contain either such a description of the area of land involved as to make said property readily located thereby or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of such oil, gas or mineral interest. Such notice may be made and recorded by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is either under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing such notice of claim for record.

(d) Within two years from November 1, 1974, all oil, gas or mineral interest in lands severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership must be listed for ad valorem taxes and notice of such interest must be filed in writing in the manner provided by G.S. 1‑ 42.3(b) and recorded in the local registry in the book provided by G.S. 1‑42, to be effective against the surface fee simple owner or creditors, purchasers, heirs or assigns of such owner. Subsurface oil, gas and mineral interests shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes as real property and such taxes shall be collected and foreclosed in the manner authorized by Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. The board of county commissioners shall publish a notice of this subsection in a newspaper published in the county or having general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to November 1, 1974.

The provisions of this subsection shall apply to the following counties: Alleghany, Burke, Caldwell, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Halifax, Henderson, Macon, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Randolph, Stanly, Surry, Watauga, and Wilkes. (1973, c. 1435; 1981, c. 329, s. 2.)

§ 1‑42.4. Additional ancient mineral claims extinguished in Ashe County; oil, gas and mineral interests to be recorded and listed for taxation.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interest in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land and such interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another, or that the record titleholder of any such oil, gas or mineral interest has not listed the same for ad valorem tax purposes in the county in which the same is located for a period of 10 years prior to January 1, 1977, any person having the legal capacity to own land in this State, who has on September 1, 1977, an unbroken chain of title of record to such surface estate of such area of land for at least 50 years, and provided such surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to such surface estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to such interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments of which such chain of record title is formed.

(b) Such marketable title shall be held by such person and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interests in such area of land founded upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple which was executed or recorded at least 50 years or more prior to September 1, 1977, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared to be null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity: Provided, however, that any such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest may be preserved and kept effective by recording within two years after September 1, 1977, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of such oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. Such notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein such area of land or any part thereof lies, and in the book therein kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant and, if known, the name of the surface owner and also contain either such a description of the area of land involved as to make said property readily located thereby or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of such oil, gas or mineral interest. Such notice may be made and recorded by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is either under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing such notice of claim for record.

(d) Within two years from November 1, 1977, all oil, gas or mineral interests in lands severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership must be listed for ad valorem taxes and notice of such interests must be filed in writing in the manner provided by G.S. 1‑ 42.4(b) and recorded in the local registry in the book provided by G.S. 1‑42, to be effective against the surface fee simple owner or creditors, purchasers, heirs or assigns of such owner. Subsurface oil, gas and mineral interests shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes as real property and such taxes shall be collected and foreclosed in the manner authorized by Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. The board of county commissioners shall publish a notice of this subsection in a newspaper published in the county or having general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to November 1, 1977. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to the following county: Ashe. (1977, c. 751.)

§ 1‑42.5. Additional ancient mineral claims extinguished in Avery County; oil, gas and mineral interests to be recorded in such county.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interest in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land and such interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another, any person having legal capacity to own land in this State, who has an unbroken chain of title of record to such surface estate of such area of land for at least 30 years and provided such surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to such surface estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to such interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments of which such chain of record title is formed.

(b) Such marketable title shall be held by such person and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest in such area of land, the existence of which depends upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple which was recorded prior to such 30‑year period, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity: Provided, however, that any such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest may be preserved and kept effective by recording within such 30‑year period, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of such oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. Such notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein such area of land, or any part thereof lies, and in the book thereof kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant, and the name of the surface owner and also contain either such a description of the area of land involved as to make said property readily located thereby or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of such oil, gas or mineral interest. Such notice may be made and recorded by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is either under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing such notice of claim for record.

(c) This section shall be construed to effect the legislative purpose of facilitating land title transactions by extinquishing certain ancient oil, gas or mineral claims unless preserved by recording as herein provided. The oil, gas or mineral claims hereby extinguished shall include those of persons whether within or without the State, and whether natural or corporate, but shall exclude governmental claims, State or federal, and all such claims by reason of unexpired oil, gas or mineral releases.

(d) The board of county commissioners shall publish a notice of this section within 90 days after the ratification date, and within 90 days prior to June 30, 1982. Such notice shall be published once per week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in the counties of Avery, Burke, Mitchell and Watauga, or a newspaper having general circulation in those counties.

The provisions of this section shall apply to the following county: Avery. (1981, c. 329, s. 1.)

§ 1‑42.6. Additional ancient oil, gas or mineral interests extinguished in Alleghany County; recording interests; listing interests for taxation.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interests in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land and this interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another, or that the record titleholder of any oil, gas or mineral interests has not listed the same for ad valorem tax purposes in the county in which it is located for a period of 10 years prior to February 1, 1981, any person having the legal capacity to own land in this State who has on July 1, 1981, an unbroken chain of title of record to the surface estate of the area of land for at least 50 years, and provided the surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to the surface estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to any interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments that form the chain of record title.

(b) This marketable title shall be held by such person and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all fee simple oil, gas or mineral interests in the area of land founded upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple that was executed or recorded at least 50 years or more prior to July 1, 1981, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared to be null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity: Provided, however, that any fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest may be preserved and kept effective by recording within two years after July 1, 1981, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of the oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. This notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein the area of land, or any part thereof lies, and in the book therein kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant and, if known, the name of the surface owner and also contain either such a description of the area of land involved as to make the property readily located thereby or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of such oil, gas or mineral interest. The notice may be made and recorded by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is either under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing such notice of claim for record.

(d) Within two years from July 1, 1981, all oil, gas or mineral interests in lands severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership must be listed for ad valorem taxes and notice of such interest must be filed in writing in the manner provided by G.S. 1‑42.3(b) and recorded in the local registry in the book provided by G.S. 1‑42 to be effective against the surface fee simple owner or creditors, purchasers, heirs or assigns of such owner. Subsurface oil, gas and mineral interests shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes as real property and such taxes shall be collected and foreclosed in the manner authorized by Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. The board of county commissioners shall publish a notice of this section within 180 days after May 6, 1981. Such notice shall be published once per week for four consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in the county, or a newspaper of general circulation in the county.

This section applies only to Alleghany County. (1981, c. 333, ss. 1, 2.)

§ 1‑42.7. Additional amount mineral claims extinguished in Chatham County; oil, gas and mineral interests to be recorded and listed for taxation.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interest in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land and such interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another, or that the record titleholder of any such oil, gas or mineral interest has not listed the same for ad valorem tax purposes in the county in which the same is located for a period of 10 years prior to January 1, 1979, any person having the legal capacity to own land in this State, who has on September 1, 1979, an unbroken chain of title of record to such surface estate of such area of land for at least 50 years, and provided such surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to such surface estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to such interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments of which such chain of record title is formed.

(b) Such marketable title shall be held by such person and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interests in such area of land founded upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple which was executed or recorded at least 50 years or more prior to September 1, 1979, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared to be null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity: Provided, however, that any such fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest may be preserved and kept effective by recording within two years after September 1, 1979, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of such oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. Such notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein such area of land or any part thereof lies, and in the book therein kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant and, if known, the name of the surface owner and also contain either such a description of the area of land involved as to make said property readily located thereby or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of such oil, gas or mineral interest. Such notice may be made and recorded by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is either under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing such notice of claim for record.

(d) Within two years from November 1, 1979, all oil, gas or mineral interests in land severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership must be listed for ad valorem taxes and notice of such interests must be filed in writing in the manner provided by G.S. 1‑ 42.5(b) and recorded in the local registry in the book provided by G.S. 1‑42, to be effective against the surface fee simple owner or creditors, purchasers, heirs or assigns of such owner. Subsurface oil, gas and mineral interests shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes as real property and such taxes shall be collected and foreclosed in the manner authorized by Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. The board of county commissioners shall publish a notice of this subsection in a newspaper published in the county or having general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to November 1, 1979.

This section shall apply to Chatham County only. (1979, c. 343, ss. 1, 2.)

§ 1‑42.8. Ancient mineral claims extinguished in Rutherford County; oil, gas and mineral interests to be recorded and listed for taxation.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interests in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land, and this interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another; or that the record titleholder of any oil, gas or mineral interests has not listed the same for ad valorem tax purposes in the county in which it is located for a period of 10 years prior to February 1, 1982, any person having the legal capacity to own land in this State who has on September 1, 1982, an unbroken chain of title of record to the surface estate of the area of land for at least 50 years, and provided the surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to the surface estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to any interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments that form the chain of record title.

(b) This marketable title shall be held by such persons and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all fee simple, oil, gas or mineral interests in the area of land founded upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple that was executed or recorded at least 50 years or more prior to September 1, 1982, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared to be null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity: Provided, however, that any fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest not already extinguished by existing laws may be preserved and kept effective by recording within two years after September 1, 1982, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of the oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. This notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein the area of land, or any part thereof lies, and in the book therein kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant and, if known, the name of the surface owner, and shall also contain either a sufficient description of the area of land involved as to make the property readily located or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of the oil, gas or mineral interest. The notice may be made and recorded by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing the notice of claim for record.

(c) This section shall be construed to effect the legislative purpose of facilitating land title transactions by extinguishing certain ancient oil, gas or mineral claims unless preserved by recording as herein provided. The oil, gas or mineral claims hereby extinguished include those of persons whether within or without the State, and whether natural or corporate, but do not include governmental claims, State or federal, and all such claims by reason of unexpired oil, gas or mineral releases.

(d) Within two years from September 1, 1982, all oil, gas or mineral interests in lands severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership must be listed for ad valorem taxes, and notice of this interest must be filed in writing in the manner provided by G.S. 1‑42.3(b) and recorded in the local registry in the book provided by G.S. 1‑42 to be effective against the surface fee simple owner or creditors, purchasers, heirs or assigns of such owner. Subsurface oil, gas and mineral interests shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes as real property and such taxes shall be collected and foreclosed in the manner authorized by Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of North Carolina.

(e) The board of county commissioners shall publish a notice of this section in a newspaper published in the county or having general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to September 1, 1982.

(f) This act applies only to Rutherford County. (1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1391, s. 1.)

§ 1‑42.9. Ancient mineral claims extinguished in certain counties; oil, gas and mineral interests to be recorded and listed for taxation.

(a) Where it appears on the public records that the fee simple title to any oil, gas or mineral interests in an area of land has been severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership of such land and such interest is not in actual course of being mined, drilled, worked or operated, or in the adverse possession of another, and that the record titleholder of any such oil, gas or mineral interests has not listed the same for ad valorem tax purposes in the county in which the same is located for a period of five years prior to January 1, 1986, any person, having the legal capacity to own land in this State, who has on January 1, 1986, an unbroken chain of title of record to the surface estate of the area of land for at least 30 years and provided the surface estate is not in the adverse possession of another, shall be deemed to have a marketable title to the fee estate as provided in the succeeding subsections of this section, subject to the interests and defects as are inherent in the provisions and limitations contained in the muniments of which the chain of record is formed.

(b) This marketable title shall be held by such person and shall be taken by his successors in interest free and clear of any and all fee simple oil, gas or mineral interests in the area of land founded upon any reservation or exception contained in an instrument conveying the surface estate in fee simple that was executed or recorded at least 30 years or more prior to January 1, 1986, and such oil, gas or mineral interests are hereby declared to be null and void and of no effect whatever at law or in equity. Provided, however, that any fee simple oil, gas or mineral interest may be preserved and kept effective by recording within two years after January 1, 1986, a notice in writing duly sworn to and subscribed before an official authorized to take probate by G.S. 47‑1, which sets forth the nature of the oil, gas or mineral interest and gives the book and page where recorded. This notice shall be probated as required for registration of instruments by G.S. 47‑14 and recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county wherein the area of land, or any part thereof lies, and in the book therein kept or provided under the terms of G.S. 1‑42 for the purpose of recording certain severances of surface and subsurface land rights, and shall state the name and address of the claimant and, if known, the name of the surface owner and also contain either such a description of the area of land involved as to make the property readily located thereby or due incorporation by reference of the recorded instrument containing the reservation or exception of such oil, gas or mineral interest. The notice may be made and recorded by the claimant, by any person authorized by the claimant to act on his behalf, or by any person acting on behalf of any claimant who is under a disability, unable to assert a claim on his own behalf, or one of a class whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing such notice of claim for record.

(d) Within two years from January 1, 1986, all oil, gas or mineral interests in lands severed or separated from the surface fee simple ownership and forfeitable under the terms of G.S. 1‑42.9(b) must be listed for ad valorem taxes, and notice of this interest must be filed in writing in the manner provided by G.S. 1‑42.9(b) and recorded in the local registry in the book provided by G.S. 1‑42 to be effective against the surface fee simple owner or creditors, purchasers, heirs or assigns of such owner. Subsurface oil, gas and mineral interests shall be assessed for ad valorem taxes as real property and such taxes shall be collected and foreclosed in the manner authorized by Chapter 105 of the General Statutes of North Carolina.

(f) This section applies to a county that failed to publish a notice as required by subsection (e) but that published a notice of this section in a newspaper having general circulation in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks prior to January 1, 1986. In applying this section to that county, however, the date "1984" shall be substituted for the date "1983" each time it appears in this section. (1983, c. 502; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1096, ss. 1‑3; 1985, c. 160; c. 573, s. 1.)

§ 1‑43. Tenant's possession is landlord's.

When the relation of landlord and tenant has existed, the possession of the tenant is deemed the possession of the landlord, until the expiration of twenty years from the termination of the tenancy; or where there has been no written lease, until the expiration of twenty years from the time of the last payment of rent, notwithstanding that the tenant may have acquired another title, or may have claimed to hold adversely to his landlord. But such presumptions shall not be made after the periods herein limited. (C.C.P., s. 26; Code, s. 147; Rev., s. 387; C.S., s. 433.)

§ 1‑44. No title by possession of right‑of‑way.

No railroad, plank road, turnpike or canal company may be barred of, or presumed to have conveyed, any real estate, right‑of‑way, easement, leasehold, or other interest in the soil which has been condemned, or otherwise obtained for its use, as a right‑of‑way, depot, station house or place of landing, by any statute of limitation or by occupation of the same by any person whatever. (R.C., c. 65, s. 23; C.C.P., s. 29; Code, s. 150; Rev., s. 388; C.S., s. 434.)

§ 1‑44.1. Presumption of abandonment of railroad right‑of‑way.

Any railroad which has removed its tracks from a right‑of‑way and has not replaced them in whole or in part within a period of seven (7) years after such removal and which has not made any railroad use of any part of such right‑of‑way after such removal of tracks for a period of seven (7) years after such removal, shall be presumed to have abandoned the railroad right‑of‑way. (1955, c. 657.)

§ 1‑44.2. Presumptive ownership of abandoned railroad easements.

(a) Whenever a railroad abandons a railroad easement, all right, title and interest in the strip, piece or parcel of land constituting the abandoned easement shall be presumed to be vested in those persons, firms or corporations owning lots or parcels of land adjacent to the abandoned easement, with the presumptive ownership of each adjacent landowner extending to the centerline of the abandoned easement. In cases where the railroad easement adjoins a public road right‑of‑way, the adjacent property owner's right, title and interest in the abandoned railroad easement shall extend to the nearest edge of the public road right‑of‑way.

The side boundaries of each parcel so presumptively vested in the adjacent property owner shall be determined by extending the side property lines of the adjacent parcels to the centerline of the abandoned easement, or as the case may be, the nearest edge of the public road right‑of‑way. In the event the side property lines of two adjacent property owners intersect before they meet the centerline or nearest edge of the public road right‑of‑way, as the case may be, such side property lines shall join and run together from the point of intersection to the centerline of the easement or nearest edge of the public road right‑of‑way, as the case may be, perpendicular to said centerline or edge.

(b) The presumption established by this section is rebuttable by showing that a party has good and valid title to the land.

(c) Repealed by Session Laws 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1071, s. 6. (1987, c. 433, s. 1; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1071, s. 6; 2004‑203, s. 14.)

§ 1‑45. No title by possession of public ways.

No person or corporation shall ever acquire any exclusive right to any part of a public road, street, lane, alley, square or public way of any kind by reason of any occupancy thereof or by encroaching upon or obstructing the same in any way, and in all actions, whether civil or criminal, against any person or corporation on account of an encroachment upon or obstruction or occupancy of any public way it shall not be competent for a court to hold that such action is barred by any statute of limitations. (1891, c. 224; Rev., s. 389; C.S., s. 435.)

§ 1‑45.1. No adverse possession of property subject to public trust rights.

Title to real property held by the State and subject to public trust rights may not be acquired by adverse possession. As used in this section, "public trust rights" means those rights held in trust by the State for the use and benefit of the people of the State in common. They are established by common law as interpreted by the courts of this State. They include, but are not limited to, the right to navigate, swim, hunt, fish, and enjoy all recreational activities in the watercourses of the State and the right to freely use and enjoy the State's ocean and estuarine beaches and public access to the beaches. (1985, c. 277, s. 1.)

Article 5.

Limitations, Other than Real Property.

§ 1‑46. Periods prescribed.

The periods prescribed for the commencement of actions, other than for the recovery of real property, are as set forth in this Article. (C.C.P., s. 30; Code, s. 151; Rev., s. 390; C.S., s. 436.)

§ 1‑47. Ten years.

Within ten years an action ‑

(1) Upon a judgment or decree of any court of the United States, or of any state or territory thereof, from the date of its entry. No such action may be brought more than once, or have the effect to continue the lien of the original judgment.

(1a) Upon a judgment rendered by a justice of the peace, from its date.

(2) Upon a sealed instrument or an instrument of conveyance of an interest in real property, against the principal thereto. Provided, however, that if action on an instrument is filed, the defendant or defendants in such action may file a counterclaim arising out of the same transaction or transactions as are the subject of plaintiff's claim, although a shorter statute of limitations would otherwise apply to defendant's counterclaim. Such counterclaim may be filed against such parties as provided in G.S. 1A‑1, Rules of Civil Procedure.

(3) For the foreclosure of a mortgage, or deed in trust for creditors with a power of sale, of real property, where the mortgagor or grantor has been in possession of the property, within ten years after the forfeiture of the mortgage, or after the power of sale became absolute, or within ten years after the last payment on the same.

(4) For the redemption of a mortgage, where the mortgagee has been in possession, or for a residuary interest under a deed in trust for creditors, where the trustee or those holding under him has been in possession, within ten years after the right of action accrued.

(5) Repealed by Session Laws 1959, c. 879, s. 2.

(6) a. Against any registered land surveyor as defined in G.S. 89C‑3(9) or any person acting under his supervision and control for physical damage or for economic or monetary loss due to negligence or a deficiency in the performance of surveying or platting, within 10 years after the last act or omission giving rise to the cause of action.

b. For purposes of this subdivision, "surveying and platting" means boundary surveys, topographical surveys, surveys of property lines, and any other measurement or surveying of real property and the consequent graphic representation thereof.

c. The limitation prescribed by this subdivision shall apply to the exclusion of G.S. 1‑15(c) and G.S. 1‑52(16). (C.C.P., ss. 14, 31; Code, s. 152; Rev., s. 391; C.S., s. 437; 1937, c. 368; 1959, c. 879, s. 2; 1961, c. 115, s. 2; 1969, c. 810, s. 1; 1991, c. 268, s. 2; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 742, s. 1(a); 1997‑456, s. 27; 1999‑221, s. 3; 2004‑203, s. 15(a).)

§ 1‑48. Transferred to § 1‑54, subdivision (6), by Session Laws 1951, c. 837, s. 2.

§ 1‑49. Seven years.

Within seven years an action –

(1) Repealed by Session Laws 1961, c. 115, s. 1.

(2) By a creditor of a deceased person against his personal or real representative, within seven years next after the qualification of the executor or administrator and his making the advertisement required by law for creditors of the deceased to present their claims, where no personal service of such notice in writing is made upon the creditor. A creditor thus barred of a recovery against the representative of any principal debtor is also barred of a recovery against any surety to the debt. (C.C.P., s. 32; Code, s. 153; Rev., s. 392; C.S., s. 438; 1961, c. 115, s. 1.)

§ 1‑50. Six years.

(a) Within six years an action –

(1) Repealed by Session Laws 1997‑297, s. 1.

(2) Against an executor, administrator, collector, or guardian on his official bond, within six years after the auditing of his final account by the proper officer, and the filing of the audited account as required by law.

(3) For injury to any incorporeal hereditament.

(4) Against a corporation, or the holder of a certificate or duplicate certificate of stock in the corporation, on account of any dividend, either a cash or stock dividend, paid or allotted by the corporation to the holder of the certificate or duplicate certificate of stock in the corporation.

(5) a. No action to recover damages based upon or arising out of the defective or unsafe condition of an improvement to real property shall be brought more than six years from the later of the specific last act or omission of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action or substantial completion of the improvement.

b. For purposes of this subdivision, an action based upon or arising out of the defective or unsafe condition of an improvement to real property includes:

1. Actions to recover damages for breach of a contract to construct or repair an improvement to real property;

2. Actions to recover damages for the negligent construction or repair of an improvement to real property;

3. Actions to recover damages for personal injury, death or damage to property;

4. Actions to recover damages for economic or monetary loss;

5. Actions in contract or in tort or otherwise;

6. Actions for contribution indemnification for damages sustained on account of an action described in this subdivision;

7. Actions against a surety or guarantor of a defendant described in this subdivision;

8. Actions brought against any current or prior owner of the real property or improvement, or against any other person having a current or prior interest therein;

9. Actions against any person furnishing materials, or against any person who develops real property or who performs or furnishes the design, plans, specifications, surveying, supervision, testing or observation of construction, or construction of an improvement to real property, or a repair to an improvement to real property.

c. For purposes of this subdivision, "substantial completion" means that degree of completion of a project, improvement or specified area or portion thereof (in accordance with the contract, as modified by any change orders agreed to by the parties) upon attainment of which the owner can use the same for the purpose for which it was intended. The date of substantial completion may be established by written agreement.

d. The limitation prescribed by this subdivision shall not be asserted as a defense by any person in actual possession or control, as owner, tenant or otherwise, of the improvement at the time the defective or unsafe condition constitutes the proximate cause of the injury or death for which it is proposed to bring an action, in the event such person in actual possession or control either knew, or ought reasonably to have known, of the defective or unsafe condition.

e. The limitation prescribed by this subdivision shall not be asserted as a defense by any person who shall have been guilty of fraud, or willful or wanton negligence in furnishing materials, in developing real property, in performing or furnishing the design, plans, specifications, surveying, supervision, testing or observation of construction, or construction of an improvement to real property, or a repair to an improvement to real property, or to a surety or guarantor of any of the foregoing persons, or to any person who shall wrongfully conceal any such fraud, or willful or wanton negligence.

f. This subdivision prescribes an outside limitation of six years from the later of the specific last act or omission or substantial completion, within which the limitations prescribed by G.S. 1‑52 and 1‑53 continue to run. For purposes of the three‑year limitation prescribed by G.S. 1‑52, a cause of action based upon or arising out of the defective or unsafe condition of an improvement to real property shall not accrue until the injury, loss, defect or damage becomes apparent or ought reasonably to have become apparent to the claimant. However, as provided in this subdivision, no action may be brought more than six years from the later of the specific last act or omission or substantial completion.

g. The limitation prescribed by this subdivision shall apply to the exclusion of G.S. 1‑15(c), G.S. 1‑52(16) and G.S. 1‑47(2).

(6) No action for the recovery of damages for personal injury, death or damage to property based upon or arising out of any alleged defect or any failure in relation to a product shall be brought more than six years after the date of initial purchase for use or consumption.

(7) Recodified as G.S. 1‑47(6) by Session Laws 1995 (Regular Session, 1996), c. 742, s. 1.

(b) This section applies to actions brought by a private party and to actions brought by the State or a political subdivision of the State. (C.C.P., s. 33; Code, s. 154; Rev., s. 393; C.S., s. 439; 1931, c. 169; 1963, c. 1030; 1979, c. 654, s. 2; 1981, c. 644, s. 1; 1991, c. 268, s. 2; 1995, c. 291, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 742, s. 1(a); 1997‑297, s. 1.)

§ 1‑51. Five years.

Within five years –

(1) No suit, action or proceeding shall be brought or maintained against a railroad company owning or operating a railroad for damages or compensation for right‑of‑way or use and occupancy of any lands by the company for use of its railroad unless the action or proceeding is commenced within five years after the lands have been entered upon for the purpose of constructing the road, or within two years after it is in operation.

(2) No suit, action or proceeding shall be brought or maintained against a railroad company for damages caused by the construction of the road, or the repairs thereto, unless such suit, action or proceeding is commenced within five years after the cause of action accrues, and the jury shall assess the entire amount of damages which the party aggrieved is entitled to recover by reason of the trespass on his property. (1893, c. 152; 1895, c. 224; 1897, c. 339; Rev., s. 394; C.S., s. 440.)

§ 1‑52. Three years.

Within three years an action ‑

(1) Upon a contract, obligation or liability arising out of a contract, express or implied, except those mentioned in the preceding sections or in G.S. 1‑53(1).

(1a) Upon the official bond of a public officer.

(2) Upon a liability created by statute, either state or federal, unless some other time is mentioned in the statute creating it.

(3) For trespass upon real property. When the trespass is a continuing one, the action shall be commenced within three years from the original trespass, and not thereafter.

(4) For taking, detaining, converting or injuring any goods or chattels, including action for their specific recovery.

(5) For criminal conversation, or for any other injury to the person or rights of another, not arising on contract and not hereafter enumerated.

(6) Against the sureties of any executor, administrator, collector or guardian on the official bond of their principal; within three years after the breach thereof complained of.

(7) Against bail; within three years after judgment against the principal; but bail may discharge himself by a surrender of the principal, at any time before final judgment against the bail.

(8) For fees due to a clerk, sheriff or other officer, by the judgment of a court; within three years from the entry of the judgment, or the issuing of the last execution thereon.

(9) For relief on the ground of fraud or mistake; the cause of action shall not be deemed to have accrued until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the facts constituting the fraud or mistake.

(10) Repealed by Session Laws 1977, c. 886, s. 1.

(11) For the recovery of any amount under and by virtue of the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and amendments thereto, said act being an act of Congress.

(12) Upon a claim for loss covered by an insurance policy which is subject to the three‑year limitation contained in lines 158 through 161 of the Standard Fire Insurance Policy for North Carolina, G.S. 58‑44‑15(c).

(13) Against a public officer, for a trespass, under color of his office.

(14) An action under Chapter 75B of the General Statutes, the action in regard to a continuing violation accrues at the time of the latest violation.

(15) For the recovery of taxes paid as provided in G.S. 105‑381.

(16) Unless otherwise provided by statute, for personal injury or physical damage to claimant's property, the cause of action, except in causes of actions referred to in G.S. 1‑15(c), shall not accrue until bodily harm to the claimant or physical damage to his property becomes apparent or ought reasonably to have become apparent to the claimant, whichever event first occurs. Provided that no cause of action shall accrue more than 10 years from the last act or omission of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action.

(17) Against a public utility, electric or telephone membership corporation, or a municipality for damages or for compensation for right‑of‑way or use of any lands for a utility service line or lines to serve one or more customers or members unless an inverse condemnation action or proceeding is commenced within three years after the utility service line has been constructed or by October 1, 1984, whichever is later.

(18) Against any registered land surveyor as defined in G.S. 89C‑3(9) or any person acting under his supervision and control for physical damage or economic or monetary loss due to negligence or a deficiency in the performance of surveying or platting as defined in G.S. 1‑47(6).

(19) For assault, battery, or false imprisonment. (C.C.P., s. 34; Code, s. 155; 1889, cc. 218, 269; 1895, c. 165; 1899, c. 15, s. 71; 1901, c. 558, s. 23; Rev., s. 395; 1913, c. 147, s. 4; C.S., s. 441; 1945, c. 785; 1971, c. 939, s. 1; 1975, c. 252, ss. 2, 4; 1977, c. 886, s. 1; c. 916, s. 2; c. 946, s. 4; 1979, c. 654, s. 3; 1981, c. 702; c. 777, s. 4; 1991, c. 268, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 742, s. 1(b); 1997‑297, s. 2; 2001‑175, s. 2; 2004‑203, s. 15(b); 2007‑491, s. 3.)

§ 1‑53. Two years.

Within two years ‑

(1) An action against a local unit of government upon a contract, obligation or liability arising out of a contract, express or implied. Unless otherwise provided by law, if the preceding sentence of this subsection would bar commencement of a cause of action arising out of a contract to improve real property: (i) such an action may be brought no later than 90 days after substantial completion, provided proper notice of the claim has been given if required by contract, or (ii) if prior to substantial completion the contract was terminated by either party, such an action may be brought no later than 90 days after the date of termination of the contract. As used in this subdivision, "substantial completion" has the same meaning as in G.S. 1‑50(a)(5)c. This subdivision shall not apply to actions based upon bonds, notes and interest coupons or when a different period of limitation is prescribed by this Article.

(2) An action to recover the penalty for usury, including an action regarding the financing of usurious points, usurious fees, or other usurious charges; the two‑year period shall accrue with each payment made and accepted on the loan.

(3) The forfeiture of all interest for usury.

(4) Actions for damages on account of the death of a person caused by the wrongful act, neglect or fault of another under G.S. 28A‑18‑2; the cause of action shall not accrue until the date of death. Provided that, whenever the decedent would have been barred, had he lived, from bringing an action for bodily harm because of the provisions of G.S. 1‑15(c) or 1‑52(16), no action for his death may be brought. (1874‑5, c. 243; 1876‑7, c. 91, s. 3; Code, ss. 756, 3836; 1895, c. 69; Rev., s. 396; C.S., s. 442; 1931, c. 231; 1937, c. 359; 1945, c. 774; 1951, c. 246, s. 2; 1979, c. 654, s. 3; 1981, c. 777, s. 3; 2007‑351, s. 1; 2008‑139, s. 1.)

§ 1‑54. One year.

Within one year an action or proceeding ‑

(1) Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 252, s. 5.

(2) Upon a statute, for a penalty or forfeiture, where the action is given to the State alone, or in whole or in part to the party aggrieved, or to a common informer, except where the statute imposing it prescribes a different limitation.

(3) For libel and slander.

(4) Against a public officer, for the escape of a prisoner arrested or imprisoned on civil process.

(5) For the year's allowance of a surviving spouse or children.

(6) For a deficiency judgment on any debt, promissory note, bond or other evidence of indebtedness after the foreclosure of a mortgage or deed of trust on real estate securing such debt, promissory note, bond or other evidence of indebtedness, which period of limitation above prescribed commences with the date of the delivery of the deed pursuant to the foreclosure sale: Provided, however, that if an action on the debt, note, bond or other evidence of indebtedness secured would be earlier barred by the expiration of the remainder of any other period of limitation prescribed by this subchapter, that limitation shall govern.

(7) Repealed by Session Laws 1971, c. 939, s. 2.

(7a) For recovery of damages under Article 1A of Chapter 18B of the General Statutes.

(8) As provided in G.S. 105‑377, to contest the validity of title to real property acquired in any tax foreclosure action or to reopen or set aside the judgment in any tax foreclosure action.

(9) As provided in Article 14 of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes, entitled "Protection for Reporting Improper Government Activities". (C.C.P., s. 35; Code, s. 156; 1885, c. 96; Rev., s. 397; C.S., s. 443; 1933, c. 529, s. 1; 1951, c. 837, s. 2; 1965, c. 9; 1969, c. 1001, s. 2; 1971, c. 12; c. 939, s. 2; 1975, c. 252, s. 5; 1977, c. 886, s. 3; 1983, c. 435, s. 38; 1989, c. 236, s. 4; 2001‑175, s. 1.)

§ 1‑54.1. Two months.

Within two months an action contesting the validity of any zoning ordinance or amendment thereto adopted by a county under Part 3 of Article 18 of Chapter 153A of the General Statutes or other applicable law or adopted by a city under Chapter 160A of the General Statutes or other applicable law. (1981, c. 705, s. 1; c. 891, s. 4; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 1030, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 746, s. 5.)

§ 1‑55. Six months.

Within six months an action –

(1) Upon a contract, transfer, assignment, power of attorney or other instrument transferring or affecting unearned salaries or wages, or future earnings, or any interest therein, whether said instrument be under seal or not under seal. The above period of limitations shall commence from the date of the execution of such instrument.

(2) For the wrongful conversion or sale of leaf tobacco in an auction tobacco warehouse during the regular season for auction sales of tobacco in such warehouse. This paragraph shall not apply to actions for the wrongful conversion or sale of leaf tobacco which was stolen from the lawful owner or possessor thereof.

(3) For wrongful discharge or demotion because of proceedings under the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act as prohibited by G.S. 97‑6.1. (C.C.P., s. 36; Code, s. 157; Rev., s. 398; C.S., s. 444; 1931, c. 168; 1943, c. 642, s. 2; 1969, c. 1001, s. 1; 1979, c. 738, s. 2; 1991, c. 636, s. 3.)

Article 5A.

Limitations, Actions Not Otherwise Limited.

§ 1‑56. All other actions, 10 years.

An action for relief not otherwise limited by this subchapter may not be commenced more than 10 years after the cause of action has accrued. (C.C.P., s. 37; Code, s. 158; Rev., s. 399; C.S., s. 445; 1951, c. 837, s. 3.)

SUBCHAPTER III. PARTIES.

Article 6.

Parties.

§ 1‑57. Real party in interest; grantees and assignees.

Every action must be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest, except as otherwise provided; but this section does not authorize the assignment of a thing in action not arising out of contract. An action may be maintained by a grantee of real estate in his own name, when he or any grantor or other person through whom he derives title might maintain such action, notwithstanding the conveyance of the grantor is void, by reason of the actual possession of a person claiming under a title adverse to that of the grantor, or other person, at the time of the delivery of the conveyance. In case of an assignment of a thing in action the action by the assignee is without prejudice to any setoff or other defense, existing at the time of, or before notice of, the assignment; but this does not apply to a negotiable promissory note or bill of exchange, transferred in good faith, upon good consideration, and before maturity. (C.C.P., s. 55; 1874‑5, c. 256; Code, s. 177; Rev., s. 400; C.S., s. 446.)

§ 1‑58. Suits for penalties.

Where a penalty is imposed by any law, and it is not provided to what person the penalty is given, it may be recovered, for his own use, by anyone who sues for it. When a penalty is allowed by statute, and it is not prescribed in whose name suit therefor may be commenced, suit must be brought in the name of the State. (R.C., c. 35, ss. 47, 48; Code, ss. 1212, 1213; Rev., ss. 401, 402; C.S., s. 447.)

§ 1‑59. Suit for penalty, plaintiff may reply fraud to plea of release.

If an action be brought in good faith by any person to recover a penalty under a law of this State, or of the United States, and the defendant shall set up in bar thereto a former judgment recovered by or against him in a former action brought by any other person for the same cause, then the plaintiff in such action, brought in good faith, may reply that the said former judgment was obtained by covin; and if the collusion or covin so averred be found, the plaintiff in the action sued with good faith shall have recovery; and no release made by such party suing in covin, whether before action brought or after, shall be in anywise available or effectual. (4 Hen. VII, c. 20; R.C., c. 31, s. 100; Code, s. 932; Rev., s. 1521; C.S., s. 447(a); 1925, c. 21.)

§ 1‑60. Suit on bonds; defendant may plead satisfaction.

When an action shall be brought on any single bill or on any judgment, if the defendant had paid the money due upon such bill or judgment before action brought, or where the defendant hath made satisfaction to the plaintiff of the money due on such bill or judgment in other manner than by payment thereof, such payment or satisfaction may be pleaded in bar of such action; and where only part of the money due on such single bill or judgment hath been paid by the defendant, or satisfied in other manner than by payment of money, such part payment or part satisfaction may be pleaded in bar of so much of the money due on such single bill or judgment, as the same may amount to; and where an action is brought on any bond which hath a condition or defeasance to make void the same upon the payment of a lesser sum at a day or place certain, if the obligor, his heirs, executors or administrators have, before the action brought, paid to the obligee, his executor or administrator, the principal and interest due by the condition or defeasance of such bond, though such payments were not made strictly according to the condition or defeasance; or if such obligor, his heirs, executors or administrators have before action brought made satisfaction to the plaintiff of the principal and interest due by the condition or defeasance of such bond, in other manner than by payment thereof, yet the said payment or satisfaction may be pleaded in bar of such action, and shall be effectual as a bar thereof, in like manner as if the money had been paid at the day and place, according to the condition or defeasance, and so pleaded. (4 Hen. VII, c. 20; R.C., c. 31, s. 101; Code, s. 933; Rev., s. 1522; C.S., s. 147(b); 1925, c. 21.)

§ 1‑61. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑62. Action by purchaser under judicial sale.

Anyone given possession under a judicial sale confirmed, where the title is retained as a security for the price, is the legal owner of the property for all purposes of bringing suits for injuries thereto, after the day of sale, by trespass or wrongful possession, in the same manner as if the title had been conveyed to him on day of sale, unless restrained by some order of the court directing the sale; and the suit brought is under the control of the court ordering the sale. (1858‑9, c. 50; Code, s. 942; Rev., s. 403; C.S., s. 448.)

§§ 1‑63 through 1‑64. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§§ 1‑65 through 1‑65.4. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑65.5. Repealed by Session Laws 1969, c. 895, s. 19.

§§ 1‑66 through 1‑69. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑69.1. Unincorporated associations and partnerships; suit by or against.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section:

(1) All unincorporated associations, organizations or societies, or general or limited partnerships, foreign or domestic, whether organized for profit or not, may hereafter sue or be sued under the name by which they are commonly known and called, or under which they are doing business, to the same extent as any other legal entity established by law and without naming any of the individual members composing it.

(2) Any judgments and executions against any such association, organization or society shall bind its real and personal property in like manner as if it were incorporated.

(3) Any unincorporated association, organization, society, or general partnership bringing a suit in the name by which it is commonly known and called must allege the specific location of the recordation required by G.S. 66‑68.

(b) Unincorporated nonprofit associations are subject to Chapter 59B of the General Statutes and not this section. (1955, c. 545, s. 3; 1975, c. 393, ss. 1, 2; 2006‑226, s. 3.)

§§ 1‑70 through 1‑71. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑72. Persons jointly liable.

In all cases of joint contracts of partners in trade or others, suit may be brought and prosecuted against all or any number of the persons making such contracts. (R.C., c. 31, s. 84; 1871‑2, c. 24, s. 1; Code, s. 187; Rev., s. 413; C.S., s. 459.)

§ 1‑72.1. Procedure to assert right of access.

(a) Any person asserting a right of access to a civil judicial proceeding or to a judicial record in that proceeding may file a motion in the proceeding for the limited purpose of determining the person's right of access. The motion shall not constitute a request to intervene under the provisions of Rule 24 of the Rules of Civil Procedure and shall instead be governed by the procedure set forth in this statute. The movant shall not be considered a party to the action solely by virtue of filing a motion under this section or participating in proceedings on the motion. An order of the court granting a motion for access made pursuant to this section shall not make the movant a party to the action for any purpose.

(b) The movant shall serve a copy of its motion on all parties to the proceeding in any manner provided in Rule 5 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Upon receipt of a motion filed pursuant to this section, the court shall establish the date and location of the hearing on the motion that shall be set at a time before conducting any further proceedings relative to the matter for which access is sought under the motion. The court shall cause notice of the hearing date and location to be posted at the courthouse where the hearing is scheduled. The movant shall serve a copy of the notice of the date, time, and location of the hearing on all parties to the proceeding in any manner provided in Rule 5 of the Rules of Civil Procedure.

(c) The court shall rule on the motion after consideration of such facts, legal authority, and argument as the movant and any other party to the action desire to present. The court shall issue a written ruling on the motion that shall contain a statement of reasons for the ruling sufficiently specific to permit appellate review. The order may also specify any conditions or limitations on the movant's right of access that the court determines to be warranted under the facts and applicable law.

(d) A party seeking to seal a document or testimony to be used in a court proceeding may submit the document or testimony to the court to be reviewed in camera. This subsection also applies to (i) any document or testimony that is the subject of a motion made under this section and that is submitted for review for the purposes of the court's consideration of the motion to seal, and (ii) to any document or testimony that is the subject of a motion made under this section and that was submitted under seal or offered in closed session prior to the filing of a motion under this section. Submission of the document or proffer of testimony to the court pursuant to this section shall not in itself result in the document or testimony thereby becoming a judicial record subject to constitutional, common law, or statutory rights of access unless the document or testimony is thereafter introduced into evidence after a motion to seal or to restrict access is denied.

(e) A ruling on a motion made pursuant to this section may be the subject of an immediate interlocutory appeal by the movant or any party to the proceeding. Notice of appeal must be given in writing, filed with the court, and served on all parties no later than 10 days after entry of the court's ruling. If notice of appeal is timely given and given before further proceedings are held in the court that might be affected by appellate review of the matter, the court, on its own motion or on the motion of the movant or any party, shall consider whether to stay any proceedings that could be affected by appellate review of the court's ruling on the motion. If notice of appeal is timely given but is given only after further proceedings in the trial court that could be affected by appellate review of the ruling on a motion made pursuant to this section, or if a request for stay of proceedings is made and is denied, then the sole relief that shall be available on any appeal in the event the appellate court determines that the ruling of the trial court was erroneous shall be reversal of the trial court's ruling on the motion and remand for rehearing or retrial. On appeal the court may determine that a ruling of the trial court sealing a document or restricting access to proceedings or refusing to unseal documents or open proceedings was erroneously entered, but it may not retroactively order the unsealing of documents or the opening of testimony that was sealed or closed by the trial court's order.

(f) This section is intended to establish a civil procedure for hearing and determining claims of access to documents and to testimony in civil judicial proceedings and shall not be deemed or construed to limit, expand, change, or otherwise preempt any provisions of substantive law that define or declare the rights and restrictions with respect to claims of access. Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing provision, this section shall not apply to juvenile proceedings or court records of juvenile proceedings conducted pursuant to Chapters 7A, 7B, 90, or any other Chapter of the General Statutes dealing with juvenile proceedings.

(g) Nothing in this section diminishes the rights of a movant or any party to seek appropriate relief at any time from the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals through the use of the prerogative writs of mandamus or supersedeas. (2001‑516, s. 1.)

§§ 1‑73 through 1‑75. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

SUBCHAPTER IIIA. JURISDICTION.

Article 6A.

Jurisdiction.

§ 1‑75.1. Legislative intent.

This Article shall be liberally construed to the end that actions be speedily and finally determined on their merits. The rule that statutes in derogation of the common law must be strictly construed does not apply to this Article. (1967, c. 954, s. 2.)

§ 1‑75.2. Definitions.

In this Article the following words have the designated meanings:

(1) "Person" means any natural person, partnership, corporation, body politic, and any unincorporated association, organization, or society which may sue or be sued under a common name.

(2) "Plaintiff" means the person named as plaintiff in a civil action, and where in this Article acts of the plaintiff are referred to, the reference includes the acts of his agent within the scope of the agent's authority.

(3) "Defendant" means the person named as defendant in a civil action, and where in this Article acts of the defendant are referred to, the reference includes any person's acts for which the defendant is legally responsible. In determining for jurisdictional purposes the defendant's legal responsibility for the acts of another, the substantive liability of the defendant to the plaintiff is irrelevant.

(4) Where jurisdiction of the person is drawn into question in respect to any claim asserted under Rule 14 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the terms "Plaintiff" and "Defendant" as above defined shall include a third‑party plaintiff and a third‑party defendant respectively.

(5) "Solicitation" means a request or appeal of any kind, direct or indirect, by oral, written, visual, electronic, or other communication, whether or not the communication originates from outside the State. (1967, c. 954, s. 2; 1993, c. 338.)

§ 1‑75.3. Jurisdictional requirements for judgments against persons, status and things.

(a) Jurisdiction of Subject Matter Not Affected by This Article. – Nothing in this Article shall be construed to confer, enlarge or diminish the subject matter jurisdiction of any court.

(b) Personal Jurisdiction. – A court of this State having jurisdiction of the subject matter may render a judgment against a party personally only if there exists one or more of the jurisdictional grounds set forth in G.S. 1‑75.4 or G.S. 1‑75.7 and in addition either:

(1) Personal service or substituted personal service of summons, or service of publication of a notice of service of process is made upon the defendant pursuant to Rule 4(j) or Rule 4(j1) of the Rules of Civil Procedure; or

(2) Service of a summons is dispensed with under the conditions in G.S. 1‑75.7.

(c) Jurisdiction in Rem or Quasi in Rem. – A court of this State having jurisdiction of the subject matter may render a judgment in rem or quasi in rem upon a status or upon a property or other things pursuant to G.S. 1‑75.8 and the judgment in such action may affect the interests in the status, property or thing of all persons served pursuant to Rule 4(k) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. (1967, c. 954, s. 2; 1983, c. 231.)

§ 1‑75.4. Personal jurisdiction, grounds for generally.

A court of this State having jurisdiction of the subject matter has jurisdiction over a person served in an action pursuant to Rule 4(j), Rule 4(j1), or Rule 4(j3) of the Rules of Civil Procedure under any of the following circumstances:

(1) Local Presence or Status. – In any action, whether the claim arises within or without this State, in which a claim is asserted against a party who when service of process is made upon such party:

a. Is a natural person present within this State; or

b. Is a natural person domiciled within this State; or

c. Is a domestic corporation; or

d. Is engaged in substantial activity within this State, whether such activity is wholly interstate, intrastate, or otherwise.

(2) Special Jurisdiction Statutes. – In any action which may be brought under statutes of this State that specifically confer grounds for personal jurisdiction.

(3) Local Act or Omission. – In any action claiming injury to person or property or for wrongful death within or without this State arising out of an act or omission within this State by the defendant.

(4) Local Injury; Foreign Act. – In any action for wrongful death occurring within this State or in any action claiming injury to person or property within this State arising out of an act or omission outside this State by the defendant, provided in addition that at or about the time of the injury either:

a. Solicitation or services activities were carried on within this State by or on behalf of the defendant;

b. Products, materials or thing processed, serviced or manufactured by the defendant were used or consumed, within this State in the ordinary course of trade; or

c. Unsolicited bulk commercial electronic mail was sent into or within this State by the defendant using a computer, computer network, or the computer services of an electronic mail service provider in contravention of the authority granted by or in violation of the policies set by the electronic mail service provider. Transmission of commercial electronic mail from an organization to its members shall not be deemed to be unsolicited bulk commercial electronic mail.

(5) Local Services, Goods or Contracts. – In any action which:

a. Arises out of a promise, made anywhere to the plaintiff or to some third party for the plaintiff's benefit, by the defendant to perform services within this State or to pay for services to be performed in this State by the plaintiff; or

b. Arises out of services actually performed for the plaintiff by the defendant within this State, or services actually performed for the defendant by the plaintiff within this State if such performance within this State was authorized or ratified by the defendant; or

c. Arises out of a promise, made anywhere to the plaintiff or to some third party for the plaintiff's benefit, by the defendant to deliver or receive within this State, or to ship from this State goods, documents of title, or other things of value; or

d. Relates to goods, documents of title, or other things of value shipped from this State by the plaintiff to the defendant on his order or direction; or

e. Relates to goods, documents of title, or other things of value actually received by the plaintiff in this State from the defendant through a carrier without regard to where delivery to the carrier occurred.

(6) Local Property. – In any action which arises out of:

a. A promise, made anywhere to the plaintiff or to some third party for the plaintiff's benefit, by the defendant to create in either party an interest in, or protect, acquire, dispose of, use, rent, own, control or possess by either party real property situated in this State; or

b. A claim to recover for any benefit derived by the defendant through the use, ownership, control or possession by the defendant of tangible property situated within this State either at the time of the first use, ownership, control or possession or at the time the action is commenced; or

c. A claim that the defendant return, restore, or account to the plaintiff for any asset or thing of value which was within this State at the time the defendant acquired possession or control over it; or

d. A claim related to a loan made in this State or deemed to have been made in this State under G.S. 24‑2.1, regardless of the situs of the lender, assignee, or other holder of the loan note and regardless of whether the loan payment or fee is received through a loan servicer, provided that: (i) the loan was made to a borrower who is a resident of this State, (ii) the loan is incurred by the borrower primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, and (iii) the loan is secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on real property situated in this State upon which there is located or there is to be located a structure or structures designed principally for occupancy of from one to four families.

(7) Deficiency Judgment on Local Foreclosure or Resale. – In any action to recover a deficiency judgment upon an obligation secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, conditional sale, or other security instrument executed by the defendant or his predecessor to whose obligation the defendant has succeeded and the deficiency is claimed either:

a. In an action in this State to foreclose such security instrument upon real property, tangible personal property, or an intangible represented by an indispensable instrument, situated in this State; or

b. Following sale of real or tangible personal property or an intangible represented by an indispensable instrument in this State under a power of sale contained in any security instrument.

(8) Director or Officer of a Domestic Corporation. – In any action against a defendant who is or was an officer or director of a domestic corporation where the action arises out of the defendant's conduct as such officer or director or out of the activities of such corporation while the defendant held office as a director or officer.

(9) Taxes or Assessments. – In any action for the collection of taxes or assessments levied, assessed or otherwise imposed by a taxing authority of this State after the date of ratification of this act.

(10) Insurance or Insurers. – In any action which arises out of a contract of insurance as defined in G.S. 58‑1‑10 made anywhere between the plaintiff or some third party and the defendant and in addition either:

a. The plaintiff was a resident of this State when the event occurred out of which the claim arose; or

b. The event out of which the claim arose occurred within this State, regardless of where the plaintiff resided.

(11) Personal Representative. – In any action against a personal representative to enforce a claim against the deceased person represented, whether or not the action was commenced during the lifetime of the deceased, where one or more of the grounds stated in subdivisions (2) to (10) of this section would have furnished a basis for jurisdiction over the deceased had he been living.

(12) Marital Relationship. – In any action under Chapter 50 that arises out of the marital relationship within this State, notwithstanding subsequent departure from the State, if the other party to the marital relationship continues to reside in this State. (1967, c. 954, ss. 2, 10; 1969, c. 803; 1981, c. 815, s. 4; 1983, c. 231; 1995, c. 389, s. 1; 1999‑212, s. 1; 2007‑351, s. 2; 2008‑187, s. 1.)

§ 1‑75.5. Joinder of causes in the same action.

In any action brought in reliance upon jurisdictional grounds stated in subdivisions (2) to (10) of G.S. 1‑75.4 there cannot be joined in the same action any other claim or cause against the defendant unless grounds exist under G.S. 1‑75.4 for personal jurisdiction over the defendant as to the claim or cause to be joined. (1967, c. 954, s. 2.)

§ 1‑75.6. Personal jurisdiction – Manner of exercising by service of process.

A court of this State having jurisdiction of the subject matter and grounds for personal jurisdiction as provided in G.S. 1‑75.4 may exercise personal jurisdiction over a defendant by service of process in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4(j) or Rule 4(j1) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. (1967, c. 954, s. 2; 1983, c. 231.)

§ 1‑75.7. Personal jurisdiction – Grounds for without service of summons.

A court of this State having jurisdiction of the subject matter may, without serving a summons upon him, exercise jurisdiction in an action over a person:

(1) Who makes a general appearance in an action; provided, that obtaining an extension of time within which to answer or otherwise plead shall not be considered a general appearance; or

(2) With respect to any counterclaim asserted against that person in an action which he has commenced in the State. (1967, c. 954, s. 2; 1975, c. 76, s. 1.)

§ 1‑75.8. Jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem – Grounds for generally.

A court of this State having jurisdiction of the subject matter may exercise jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem on the grounds stated in this section. A judgment in rem or quasi in rem may affect the interests of a defendant in a status, property or thing acted upon only if process has been served upon the defendant pursuant to Rule 4(k) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. Jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem may be invoked in any of the following cases:

(1) When the subject of the action is real or personal property in this State and the defendant has or claims any lien or interest therein, or the relief demanded consists wholly or partially in excluding the defendant from any interest or lien therein. This subdivision shall apply whether any such defendant is known or unknown.

(2) When the action is to foreclose, redeem from or satisfy a deed of trust, mortgage, claim or lien upon real or personal property in this State.

(3) When the action is for a divorce or for annulment of marriage of a resident of this State.

(4) When the defendant has property within this State which has been attached or has a debtor within the State who has been garnished. Jurisdiction under this subdivision may be independent of or supplementary to jurisdiction acquired under subdivisions (1), (2) and (3) of this section.

(5) In any other action in which in rem or quasi in rem jurisdiction may be constitutionally exercised. (1967, c. 954, s. 2.)

§ 1‑75.9. Jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem – Manner of exercising.

A court of this State exercising jurisdiction in rem or quasi in rem pursuant to G.S. 1‑75.8 may affect the interests of a defendant in such an action only if process has been served upon the defendant in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4(k) of the Rules of Civil Procedure, but nothing herein shall prevent the court from making interlocutory orders for the protection of the res while the action is pending. (1967, c. 954, s. 2.)

§ 1‑75.10. Proof of service of summons, defendant appearing in action.

(a) Where the defendant appears in the action and challenges the service of the summons upon him, proof of the service of process shall be as follows:

(1) Personal Service or Substituted Personal Service. –

a. If served by the sheriff of the county or the lawful process officer in this State where the defendant was found, by the officer's certificate thereof, showing place, time and manner of service; or

b. If served by any other person, his affidavit thereof, showing place, time and manner of service; his qualifications to make service under Rule 4(a) or Rule 4(j3) of the Rules of Civil Procedure; that he knew the person served to be the party mentioned in the summons and delivered to and left with him a copy; and if the defendant was not personally served, he shall state in such affidavit when, where and with whom such copy was left. If such service is made outside this State, the proof thereof may in the alternative be made in accordance with the law of the place where such service is made.

(2) Service of Publication. – In the case of publication, by the affidavit of the publisher or printer, or his foreman or principal clerk, showing the same and specifying the date of the first and last publication, and an affidavit of mailing of a copy of the complaint or notice, as the case may require, made by the person who mailed the same.

(3) Written Admission of Defendant. – The written admission of the defendant, whose signature or the subscription of whose name to such admission shall be presumptive evidence of genuineness.

(4) Service by Registered or Certified Mail. – In the case of service by registered or certified mail, by affidavit of the serving party averring:

a. That a copy of the summons and complaint was deposited in the post office for mailing by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested;

b. That it was in fact received as evidenced by the attached registry receipt or other evidence satisfactory to the court of delivery to the addressee; and

c. That the genuine receipt or other evidence of delivery is attached.

(5) Service by Designated Delivery Service. – In the case of service by designated delivery service, by affidavit of the serving party averring all of the following:

a. That a copy of the summons and complaint was deposited with a designated delivery service as authorized under G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 4, delivery receipt requested.

b. That it was in fact received as evidenced by the attached delivery receipt or other evidence satisfactory to the court of delivery to the addressee.

c. That the delivery receipt or other evidence of delivery is attached.

(6) Service by Signature Confirmation. – In the case of service by signature confirmation as provided by the United States Postal Service, by affidavit of the serving party averring all of the following:

a. That a copy of the summons and complaint was deposited in the post office for mailing by signature confirmation.

b. That it was in fact received as evidenced by the attached proof of delivery obtained from the United States Postal Service, or other evidence satisfactory to the court of delivery to the addressee.

c. That the copy of the signature confirmation or other evidence of delivery is attached.

(b) As used in subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of this section, "delivery receipt" includes a facsimile receipt and a printout of an electronic receipt. (1967, c. 954, s. 2; 1969, c. 895, s. 14; 1973, c. 643; 1979, c. 525, s. 2; 1981, c. 540, ss. 9, 10; 2001‑379, s. 2.3; 2005‑221, s. 3; 2008‑36, s. 4.)

§ 1‑75.11. Judgment against nonappearing defendant, proof of jurisdiction.

Where a defendant fails to appear in the action within apt time the court shall, before entering a judgment against such defendant, require proof of service of the summons in the manner required by G.S. 1‑75.10 and, in addition, shall require further proof as follows:

(1) Where Personal Jurisdiction Is Claimed Over the Defendant. – Where a personal claim is made against the defendant, the court shall require proof by affidavit or other evidence, to be made and filed, of the existence of any fact not shown by verified complaint which is needed to establish grounds for personal jurisdiction over the defendant. The court may require such additional proof as the interests of justice require.

(2) Where Jurisdiction Is in Rem or Quasi in Rem. – Where no personal claim is made against the defendant, the court shall require such proofs, by affidavit or otherwise, as are necessary to show that the court's jurisdiction has been invoked over the status, property or thing which is the subject of the action. The court may require such additional proof as the interests of justice require. (1967, c. 954, s. 2.)

§ 1‑75.12. Stay of proceeding to permit trial in a foreign jurisdiction.

(a) When Stay May be Granted. – If, in any action pending in any court of this State, the judge shall find that it would work substantial injustice for the action to be tried in a court of this State, the judge on motion of any party may enter an order to stay further proceedings in the action in this State. A moving party under this subsection must stipulate his consent to suit in another jurisdiction found by the judge to provide a convenient, reasonable and fair place of trial.

(b) Subsequent Modification of Order to Stay Proceedings. – In a proceeding in which a stay has been ordered under this section, jurisdiction of the court continues for a period of five years from the entry of the last order affecting the stay; and the court may, on motion and notice to the parties, modify the stay order and take such action as the interests of justice require. When jurisdiction of the court terminates by reason of the lapse of five years following the entry of the last order affecting the stay, the clerk shall without notice enter an order dismissing the action.

(c) Review of Rulings on Motion. – Whenever a motion for a stay made pursuant to subsection (a) above is granted, any nonmoving party shall have the right of immediate appeal. Whenever such a motion is denied, the movant may seek review by means of a writ of certiorari and failure to do so shall constitute a waiver of any error the judge may have committed in denying the motion. (1967, c. 954, s. 2.)

SUBCHAPTER IV. VENUE.

Article 7.

Venue.

§ 1‑76. Where subject of action situated.

Actions for the following causes must be tried in the county in which the subject of the action, or some part thereof, is situated, subject to the power of the court to change the place of trial in the cases provided by law:

(1) Recovery of real property, or of an estate or interest therein, or for the determination in any form of such right or interest, and for injuries to real property.

(2) Partition of real property.

(3) Foreclosure of a mortgage of real property.

(4) Recovery of personal property when the recovery of the property itself is the sole or primary relief demanded. (C.C.P., s. 66; Code, s. 190; 1889, c. 219; Rev., s. 419; C.S., s. 463; 1951, c. 837, s. 4.)

§ 1‑76.1. Where deficiency debtor resides or where loan was negotiated.

Subject to the power of the court to change the place of trial as provided by law, actions to recover a deficiency, which remains owing on a debt after secured personal property has been sold to partially satisfy the debt, must be brought in the county in which the debtor or debtor's agent resides or in the county where the loan was negotiated. (1977, c. 383, s. 1.)

§ 1‑77. Where cause of action arose.

Actions for the following causes must be tried in the county where the cause, or some part thereof, arose, subject to the power of the court to change the place of trial, in the cases provided by law:

(1) Recovery of a penalty or forfeiture, imposed by statute; except that, when it is imposed for an offense committed on a sound, bay, river, or other body of water, situated in two or more counties, the action may be brought in any county bordering on such body of water, and opposite to the place where the offense was committed.

(2) Against a public officer or person especially appointed to execute his duties, for an act done by him by virtue of his office; or against a person who by his command or in his aid does anything touching the duties of such officer. (C.C.P., s. 67; Code, s. 191; Rev., s. 420; C.S., s. 464.)

§ 1‑78. Official bonds, executors and administrators.

All actions against executors and administrators in their official capacity, except where otherwise provided by statute, and all actions upon official bonds must be instituted in the county where the bonds were given, if the principal or any surety on the bond is in the county; if not, then in the plaintiff's county. (1868‑9, c. 258; Code, s. 193; Rev., s. 421; C.S., s. 465.)

§ 1‑79. Domestic corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and registered limited liability partnerships.

(a) For the purpose of suing and being sued the residence of a domestic corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or registered limited liability partnership is as follows:

(1) Where the registered or principal office of the corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or registered limited liability partnership is located, or

(2) Where the corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or registered limited liability partnership maintains a place of business, or

(3) If no registered or principal office is in existence, and no place of business is currently maintained or can reasonably be found, the term "residence" shall include any place where the corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, or registered limited liability partnership is regularly engaged in carrying on business.

(b) For purposes of this section, the term "domestic" when applied to an entity means:

(1) An entity formed under the laws of this State, or

(2) An entity that (i) is formed under the laws of any jurisdiction other than this State, and (ii) maintains a registered office in this State pursuant to a certificate of authority from the Secretary of State. (1903, c. 806; Rev., s. 422; C.S., s. 466; 1951, c. 837, s. 5; 1957, c. 492; 1973, c. 885; 1975, c. 111; 1999‑362, s. 1.)

§ 1‑80. Foreign corporations.

An action against a corporation created by or under the law of any other state or government may be brought in the appropriate trial court division of any county in which the cause of action arose, or in which the corporation usually did business, or has property, or in which the plaintiffs, or either of them, reside, in the following cases:

(1) By a resident of this State, for any cause of action.

(2) By a nonresident of this State in any county where he or they are regularly engaged in carrying on business.

(3) By a plaintiff, not a resident of this State, when the cause of action arose or the subject of the action is situated in this State. (C.C.P., s. 361; 1876‑7, c. 170; Code, s. 194; Rev., s. 423; 1907, c. 460; C.S., s. 467; 1971, c. 268, s. 1.)

§ 1‑81. Actions against railroads.

In all actions against railroads the action must be tried either in the county where the cause of action arose or where the plaintiff resided at that time or in some county adjoining that in which the cause of action arose, subject to the power of the court to change the place of trial as provided by statute. (Rev., s. 424; C.S., s. 468.)

§ 1‑81.1. Venue in apportionment or redistricting cases.

(a) Venue in any action concerning any act of the General Assembly apportioning or redistricting State legislative or congressional districts lies exclusively with the Wake County Superior Court.

(b) Any action brought concerning an act of the General Assembly apportioning or redistricting the State legislative or congressional districts shall be filed in the Superior Court of Wake County. (2003‑434, 1st Ex. Sess., s. 11(a).)

§ 1‑82. Venue in all other cases.

In all other cases the action must be tried in the county in which the plaintiffs or the defendants, or any of them, reside at its commencement, or if none of the defendants reside in the State, then in the county in which the plaintiffs, or any of them, reside; and if none of the parties reside in the State, then the action may be tried in any county which the plaintiff designates in his summons and complaint, subject to the power of the court to change the place of trial, in the cases provided by statute; provided that any person who has resided on or been stationed in a United States army, navy, marine corps, coast guard or air force installation or reservation within this State for a period of one (1) year or more next preceding the institution of an action shall be deemed a resident of the county within which such installation or reservation, or part thereof, is situated and of any county adjacent to such county where such person stationed at such installation or reservation lives in such adjacent county, for the purposes of this section. The term person shall include military personnel and the spouses and dependents of such personnel. (C.C.P., s. 68; 1868‑9, cc. 59, 277; Code, s. 192; 1905, c. 367; Rev., s. 424; C.S., s. 469; 1957, c. 1082.)

§ 1‑83. Change of venue.

If the county designated for that purpose in the summons and complaint is not the proper one, the action may, however, be tried therein, unless the defendant, before the time of answering expires, demands in writing that the trial be conducted in the proper county, and the place of trial is thereupon changed by consent of parties, or by order of the court.

The court may change the place of trial in the following cases:

(1) When the county designated for that purpose is not the proper one.

(2) When the convenience of witnesses and the ends of justice would be promoted by the change.

(3) When the judge has, at any time, been interested as party or counsel.

(4) When motion is made by the plaintiff and the action is for divorce and the defendant has not been personally served with summons. (R.C., c. 31, ss. 115, 118; C.C.P., s. 69; 1870‑1, c. 20; Code, s. 195; Rev., s. 425; C.S., s. 470; 1945, c. 141.)

§ 1‑84. Removal for fair trial.

In all civil actions in the superior and district courts, when it is suggested on oath or affirmation on behalf of the plaintiff or defendant, that there are probable grounds to believe that a fair and impartial trial cannot be obtained in the county in which the action is pending, the judge may order a copy of the record of the action removed for trial to any adjacent county, if he is of the opinion that a fair trial cannot be had in said county, after hearing all the testimony offered on either side by oral evidence or affidavits. (1806, c. 693, s. 12, P.R.; 1879, s. 45; Code, s. 196; 1899, cc. 104, 508; Rev., s. 426; 1917, c. 44; C.S., s. 471; 1957, c. 601; 1969, c. 44, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 2; 1977, c. 12.)

§ 1‑85. Affidavits on hearing for removal; when removal ordered.

No action, civil or criminal, shall be removed, unless the affidavit sets forth particularly and in detail the ground of the application. It is competent for the other side to controvert the allegations of fact in the application, and to offer counter affidavits to that end. The judge shall order the removal of the action, if he is satisfied after thorough examination of the evidence as aforesaid that the ends of justice demand it. (1879, c. 45; Code, s. 197; 1899, c. 104, s. 2; Rev., s. 427; C.S., s. 472.)

§ 1‑86. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 218, s. 4.

§ 1‑87. Transcript of removal; subsequent proceedings; depositions.

(a) When a cause is directed to be removed, the clerk shall transmit to the court to which it is removed a transcript of the record of the case, with the prosecution bond, bail bond, and the depositions, and all other written evidences filed therein; and all other proceedings shall be had in the county to which the place of trial is changed, unless otherwise provided by the consent of the parties in writing duly filed, or by order of court.

(b) After a cause has been directed to be removed, and prior to the time that the transcript is deposited with the court to which the cause is removed, depositions may be taken in the cause, and subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and commissions to take depositions may issue from either of the said courts, under the same rules as if the cause had been originally commenced in the court from which the subpoenas or commissions issued. (1806, c. 694, s. 12, P.R.; 1810, c. 787, P.R.; R.C., c. 31, s. 118; C.C.P., s. 69; Code, ss. 195, 198; Rev., s. 428; C.S., c. 474; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

§ 1‑87.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

SUBCHAPTER V. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTIONS.

Article 8.

Summons.

§§ 1‑88 through 1‑91. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§§ 1‑92 through 1‑93. Repealed by Session Laws 1971, c. 268, s. 34.

§§ 1‑94 through 1‑98. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§§ 1‑98.1 through 1‑98.4. Repealed by Session Laws 1971, c. 1093, s. 19.

§ 1‑99. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§§ 1‑99.1 through 1‑99.4. Repealed by Session Laws 1971, c. 1093, s. 19.

§§ 1‑100 through 1‑104. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑105. Service upon nonresident drivers of motor vehicles and upon the personal representatives of deceased nonresident drivers of motor vehicles.

The acceptance by a nonresident of the rights and privileges conferred by the laws now or hereafter in force in this State permitting the operation of motor vehicles, as evidenced by the operation of a motor vehicle by such nonresident on the public highways of this State, or at any other place in this State, or the operation by such nonresident of a motor vehicle on the public highways of this State or at any other place in this State, other than as so permitted or regulated, shall be deemed equivalent to the appointment by such nonresident of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or his successor in office, to be his true and lawful attorney and the attorney of his executor or administrator, upon whom may be served all summonses or other lawful process in any action or proceeding against him or his executor or administrator, growing out of any accident or collision in which said nonresident may be involved by reason of the operation by him, for him, or under his control or direction, express or implied, of a motor vehicle on such public highways of this State, or at any other place in this State, and said acceptance or operation shall be a signification of his agreement that any such process against him or his executor or administrator shall be of the same legal force and validity as if served on him personally, or on his executor or administrator.

Service of such process shall be made in the following manner:

(1) By leaving a copy thereof, with a fee of ten dollars ($10.00), in the hands of the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, or in his office. Such service, upon compliance with the other provisions of this section, shall be sufficient service upon the said nonresident.

(2) Notice of such service of process and copy thereof must be forthwith sent by certified or registered mail by plaintiff or the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to the defendant, and the entries on the defendant's return receipt shall be sufficient evidence of the date on which notice of service upon the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and copy of process were delivered to the defendant, on which date service on said defendant shall be deemed completed. If the defendant refuses to accept the certified or registered letter, service on the defendant shall be deemed completed on the date of such refusal to accept as determined by notations by the postal authorities on the original envelope, and if such date cannot be so determined, then service shall be deemed completed on the date that the certified or registered letter is returned to the plaintiff or Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, as determined by postal marks on the original envelope. If the certified or registered letter is not delivered to the defendant because it is unclaimed, or because he has removed himself from his last known address and has left no forwarding address or is unknown at his last known address, service on the defendant shall be deemed completed on the date that the certified or registered letter is returned to the plaintiff or Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

(3) The defendant's return receipt, or the original envelope bearing a notation by the postal authorities that receipt was refused, and an affidavit by the plaintiff that notice of mailing the registered letter and refusal to accept was forthwith sent to the defendant by ordinary mail, together with the plaintiff's affidavit of compliance with the provisions of this section, must be appended to the summons or other process and filed with said summons, complaint and other papers in the cause.

Provided, that where the nonresident motorist has died prior to the commencement of an action brought pursuant to this section, service of process shall be made on the executor or administrator of such nonresident motorist in the same manner and on the same notice as is provided in the case of a nonresident motorist.

The court in which the action is pending shall order such continuance as may be necessary to afford the defendant reasonable opportunity to defend the action. (1929, c. 75, s. 1; 1941, c. 36, s. 4; 1951, c. 646; 1953, c. 796; 1955, c. 1022; 1961, c. 1191; 1963, c. 491; 1967, c. 954, s. 4; 1971, c. 420, s. 2; 1975, c. 294; 1989, c. 645, s. 1.)

§ 1‑105.1. Service on residents who establish residence outside the State and on residents who depart from the State.

The provisions of G.S. 1‑105 of this Chapter shall also apply to a resident of the State at the time of the accident or collision who establishes residence outside the State subsequent to the accident or collision and to a resident of the State at the time of the accident or collision who departs from the State subsequent to the accident or collision and remains absent therefrom for 60 days or more, continuously whether such absence is intended to be temporary or permanent. (1955, c. 232; 1967, c. 954, s. 4; 1971, c. 420, ss. 1, 2.)

§§ 1‑106 through 1‑107.3. Repealed by Session laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑108. Defense after judgment set aside.

If a judgment is set aside pursuant to Rule 60(b) or (c) of the Rules of Civil Procedure and the judgment or any part thereof has been collected or otherwise enforced, such restitution may be compelled as the court directs. Title to property sold under such judgment to a purchaser in good faith is not thereby affected. No fiduciary officer or trustee who has made distribution of a fund under such judgment in good faith is personally liable if the judgment is changed by reason of such defense made after its rendition; nor in case the judgment was rendered for the partition of land, and any persons receiving any of the land in such partition sell it to a third person; the title of such third person is not affected if such defense is successful, but the redress of the person so defending after judgment shall be had by proper judgment against the parties to the original judgment and their heirs and personal representatives, and in no case affects persons who in good faith have dealt with such parties or their heirs or personal representatives on the basis of such judgment being permanent. (C.C.P., s. 85; Code, s. 220; Rev., s. 449; 1917, c. 68; C.S., s. 492; 1943, cc. 228, 543; 1947, c. 817, s. 2; 1949, c. 256; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

Article 9.

Prosecution Bonds.

§ 1‑109. Bond required of plaintiff for costs.

At any time after the issuance of summons, the clerk or judge, upon motion of the defendant, may, upon a showing of good cause, require the plaintiff to do one of the following things and the failure to comply with such order within 30 days from the date thereof shall constitute grounds for dismissal of such civil action or special proceeding:

(1) Give an undertaking with sufficient surety in the sum of two hundred dollars, with the condition that it will be void if the plaintiff pays the defendant all costs which the latter recovers of him in the action.

(2) Deposit two hundred dollars ($200.00) with him as security to the defendant for these costs, in which event the clerk must give to the plaintiff and defendant all costs which the latter recovers of him in the action.

(3) File a copy of an order from a superior or district court judge or clerk of a superior court authorizing the plaintiff to sue as an indigent.

The requirements of this section shall not apply to the State of North Carolina or any of its agencies, commissions or institutions, or to counties, drainage districts, cities and towns; provided, further, that the State of North Carolina or any of its agencies, commissions or institutions, and counties, drainage districts, cities and towns may institute civil actions and special proceedings without being required to give a prosecution bond or make deposit in lieu of bond. (R.C., c. 31, s. 40; C.C.P., s. 71; Code, s. 209; Rev., s. 450; C.S., s. 493; 1935, c. 398; 1949, c. 53; 1955, c. 10, s. 1; 1957, c. 563; 1961, c. 989; 1971, c. 268, s. 3; 1993, c. 435, s. 4; 1999‑106, s. 1.)

§ 1‑110. Suit as an indigent; counsel; suits filed pro se by prison inmates.

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section with respect to prison inmates, any superior or district court judge or clerk of the superior court may authorize a person to sue as an indigent in their respective courts when the person makes affidavit that he or she is unable to advance the required court costs. The clerk of superior court shall authorize a person to sue as an indigent if the person makes the required affidavit and meets one or more of the following criteria:

(1) Receives electronic food and nutrition benefits.

(2) Receives Work First Family Assistance.

(3) Receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

(4) Is represented by a legal services organization that has as its primary purpose the furnishing of legal services to indigent persons.

(5) Is represented by private counsel working on the behalf of or under the auspices of a legal services organization under subdivision (4) of this section.

(6) Repealed by Session Laws 2002‑126, s. 29A.6(d), effective October 1, 2002.

A superior or district court judge or clerk of superior court may authorize a person who does not meet one or more of these criteria to sue as an indigent if the person is unable to advance the required court costs. The court to which the summons is returnable may dismiss the case and charge the court costs to the person suing as an indigent if the allegations contained in the affidavit are determined to be untrue or if the court is satisfied that the action is frivolous or malicious.

(b) Whenever a motion to proceed as an indigent is filed pro se by an inmate in the custody of the Department of Correction, the motion to proceed as an indigent and the proposed complaint shall be presented to any superior court judge of the judicial district. This judge shall determine whether the complaint is frivolous. In the discretion of the court, a frivolous case may be dismissed by order. The clerk of superior court shall serve a copy of the order of dismissal upon the prison inmate. If the judge determines that the inmate may proceed as an indigent, service of process upon the defendant shall issue without further order of the court. (C.C.P., s. 72; 1868‑9, c. 96, s. 2; Code, ss. 210, 211; Rev., ss. 451, 452; C.S., s. 494; 1971, c. 268, s. 4; 1993, c. 435, s. 1; 1995, c. 102, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 591, s. 4; 1997‑443, s. 12.22; 2002‑126, s. 29A.6(d); 2007‑97, s. 1.)

§ 1‑111. Defendant's, for costs and damages in actions for land.

In all actions for the recovery or possession of real property, the defendant, before he is permitted to plead, must execute and file in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county where the suit is pending an undertaking with sufficient surety, in an amount fixed by the court, not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00), to be void on condition that the defendant pays to the plaintiff all costs and damages which the latter recovers in the action, including damages for the loss of rents and profits. (1869‑70, c. 193; Code, s. 237; Rev., s. 453; C.S., s. 495.)

§ 1‑112. Defense without bond.

(a) The undertaking prescribed in G.S. 1‑111 is not necessary if an attorney practicing in the court where the action is pending certifies to the court in writing that he has examined the case of the defendant and is of the opinion that the plaintiff is not entitled to recover; and if the defendant also files an affidavit stating that he is unable to give and is not worth the amount of the undertaking in any property whatsoever.

(b) An undertaking shall not be required in any summary ejectment action brought pursuant to Articles 3 or 7 of Chapter 42 of the General Statutes. (1869‑70, c. 193; Code, s. 237; Rev., s. 454; C.S., s. 496; 1997‑473, s. 2.)

Article 10.

Joint and Several Debtors.

§ 1‑113. Defendants jointly or severally liable.

Where the action is against two or more defendants, and the summons is served on one or more, but not on all of them, the plaintiff may proceed as follows:

(1) If the action is against defendants jointly indebted upon contract, he may proceed against the defendants served, unless the court otherwise directs, and if he recovers judgment it may be entered against all the defendants thus jointly indebted, so far only as that it may be enforced against the joint property of all and the separate property of the defendants served, and if they are subject to arrest, against the persons of the defendants served.

(2) If the action is against defendants severally liable, he may proceed against the defendants served, in the same manner as if they were the only defendants.

(3) If all the defendants have been served, judgment may be taken against any or either of them severally, when the plaintiff would be entitled to judgment against such defendant or defendants if the action has been against them or any of them alone.

(4) If the name of one or more partners has, for any cause, been omitted in an action in which judgment has been rendered against the defendants named in the summons, and the omission was not pleaded in action, the plaintiff, in case the judgment remains unsatisfied, may by action recover of such partner separately, upon proving his joint liability, notwithstanding he was not named in the original action; but the plaintiff may have satisfaction of only one judgment rendered for the same cause of action. (C.C.P., s. 87; Code, s. 222; Rev., s. 455; C.S., s. 497.)

§ 1‑114. Summoned after judgment; defense.

When a judgment is recovered against one or more of several persons jointly indebted upon a contract in accordance with the preceding section [§ 1‑113], those who were not originally summoned to answer the complaint may be summoned to show cause why they should not be bound by the judgment, in the same manner as if they had been originally summoned. A party so summoned may answer within the time specified denying the judgment, or setting up any defense thereto which has arisen subsequent to such judgment; and may make any defense which he might have made to the action if the summons had been served on him originally. (C.C.P., ss. 318, 322; Code, ss. 223, 224; Rev., ss. 456, 457; C.S., s. 498.)

§ 1‑115: Repealed by Session Laws 1969, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 11.

Lis Pendens.

§ 1‑116. Filing of notice of suit.

(a) Any person desiring the benefit of constructive notice of pending litigation must file a separate, independent notice thereof, which notice shall be cross‑indexed in accordance with G.S. 1‑117, in the following cases:

(1) Actions affecting title to real property;

(2) Actions to foreclose any mortgage or deed of trust or to enforce any lien on real property; and

(3) Actions in which any order of attachment is issued and real property is attached.

(b) Notice of pending litigation shall contain:

(1) The name of the court in which the action has been commenced or is pending;

(2) The names of the parties to the action;

(3) The nature and purpose of the action; and

(4) A description of the property to be affected thereby.

(1) At or any time after the commencement of an action pursuant to Rule 3 of the Rules of Civil Procedure; or

(2) At or any time after real property has been attached; or

(3) At or any time after the filing of an answer or other pleading in which the pleading party states an affirmative claim for relief falling within the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(d) Notice of pending litigation must be filed with the clerk of the superior court of each county in which any part of the real estate is located, not excepting the county in which the action is pending, in order to be effective against bona fide purchasers or lien creditors with respect to the real property located in such county. (C.C.P., s. 90; Code, s. 229; Rev., s. 460; 1917, c. 106; C.S., s. 500; 1949, c. 260; 1959, c. 1163, s. 1; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

§ 1‑116.1. Service of notice.

In all actions as defined in G.S. 1‑116 in which notice of pendency of the action is filed, a copy of such notice shall be served on the other party or parties as follows:

(1) If filed by the plaintiff at or after service of summons but before the filing of the complaint, service shall be in the manner provided in Rule 4 of the Rules of Civil Procedure for service of summons.

(2) If filed by the plaintiff at or after the filing of the complaint, service shall be in the same manner as the complaint.

(3) All other such notices shall be served in the manner provided in Rule 5 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. (1949, c. 260; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

§ 1‑117. Cross‑index of lis pendens.

Every notice of pending litigation filed under this Article shall be cross‑indexed by the clerk of the superior court in a record, called the "Record of Lis Pendens," to be kept by him pursuant to G.S. 2‑42(6). (1903, c. 472; Rev., s. 464; 1919, c. 31; C.S., s. 501; 1959, c. 1163, s. 2.)

§ 1‑118. Effect on subsequent purchasers.

From the cross‑indexing of the notice of lis pendens only is the pendency of the action constructive notice to a purchaser or incumbrancer of the property affected thereby; and every person whose conveyance or incumbrance is subsequently executed or subsequently registered is a subsequent purchaser or incumbrancer, and is bound by all proceedings taken after the cross‑indexing of the notice to the same extent as if he were made a party to the action. For the purposes of this section an action is pending from the time of cross‑indexing the notice. (C.C.P., s. 90; Code, s. 229; Rev., s. 462; 1919, c. 31; C.S., s. 502.)

§ 1‑119. Notice void unless action prosecuted.

(a) The notice of lis pendens is of no avail unless it is followed by the first publication of notice of the summons or by an affidavit therefor pursuant to Rule 4 (j)(1)c of the Rules of Civil Procedure or by personal service on the defendant within 60 days after the cross‑indexing.

(b) When an action is commenced by the issuance of summons and permission is granted to file the complaint within 20 days, pursuant to Rule 3 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, if the complaint is not filed within the time fixed by the order of the clerk, the notice of lis pendens shall become inoperative and of no effect. The clerk may on his own motion and shall on the ex parte application of any interested party cancel such notice of lis pendens by appropriate entry on the records, which entry shall recite the failure of the plaintiff to file his complaint within the time allowed. Such applications for cancellation, when made in a county other than that in which the action was instituted, shall include a certificate over the hand and seal of the clerk of the county in which the action was instituted that the plaintiff did not file his complaint within the time allowed. The fees of the clerk may be recovered against the plaintiff and his surety. (C.C.P., s. 90; Code, s. 229; Rev., s. 461; 1919, c. 31; C.S., s. 503; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

§ 1‑120. Cancellation of notice.

The court in which the said action was commenced may, at any time after it is settled, discontinued or abated, on application of any person aggrieved, on good cause shown, and on such notice as is directed or approved by the court, order the notice authorized by this Article to be cancelled of record, by the clerk of any county in whose office the same has been filed or recorded; and this cancellation must be made by an endorsement to that effect on the margin of the record, which shall refer to the order. (C.C.P., s. 90; Code, s. 229; Rev., s. 463; C.S., s. 504.)

§ 1‑120.1. Article applicable to suits in federal courts.

The provisions of this Article shall apply to suits affecting the title to real property in the federal courts. (1945, c. 857.)

§ 1‑120.2. Filing of notice by cities and counties in certain cases.

The governing body of a city or county may, by ordinance under Part 5 of Article 19 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes relating to building inspection, or Part 6 of Article 19 of Chapter 160A relating to minimum housing standards, or Part 4 of Article 18 of Chapter 153A relating to building inspection, provide that upon the issuance of a complaint and notice of hearing or order pursuant thereto, a notice of lis pendens, with a copy of the complaint and notice of hearing or order attached thereto, may be filed in the office of the clerk of superior court of the county where the property is located. When a notice of lis pendens and a copy of the complaint and notice of hearing or order is filed with the clerk of superior court, it shall be indexed and cross‑indexed in accordance with the indexing procedures of G.S. 1‑117. From the date and time of indexing, the complaint and notice of hearing or order shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the owners of and parties in interest in the building or dwelling. A copy of the notice of lis pendens shall be served upon the owners and parties in interest in the building or dwelling at the time of filing in accordance with G.S. 160A‑428, 160A‑445, or 153A‑368 as applicable. The notice of lis pendens shall remain in full force and effect until cancelled. The ordinance may authorize the cancellation of the notice of lis pendens under certain circumstances. Upon receipt of notice from the city, the clerk of superior court shall cancel the notice of lis pendens. (1995, c. 158, s. 1.)

SUBCHAPTER VI. PLEADINGS.

Article 12.

Complaint.

§§ 1‑121 through 1‑123: Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 13.

Defendant’s Pleadings.

§§ 1‑124 through 1‑126. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 14.

Demurrer.

§§ 1‑127 through 1‑134. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 15.

Answer.

§§ 1‑134.1 through 1‑138. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑139. Burden of proof of contributory negligence.

A party asserting the defense of contributory negligence has the burden of proof of such defense. (1887, c. 33; Rev., s. 483; C.S., s. 523; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

Article 16.

Reply.

§§ 1‑140 through 1‑142. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 17.

Pleadings, General Provisions.

§§ 1‑143 through 1‑147. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑148. Verification before what officer.

Any officer competent to take the acknowledgment of deeds, and any judge or clerk of the General Court of Justice, notary public, in or out of the State, or magistrate, is competent to take affidavits for the verification of pleadings, in any court or county in the State, and for general purposes. (C.C.P., s. 117; 1868‑9, c. 159, s. 7; Code, s. 258; 1891, c. 140; Rev., s. 492; C.S., s. 532; 1971, c. 268, s. 5.)

§ 1‑149. When verification omitted; use in criminal prosecutions.

The verification may be omitted when an admission of the truth of the allegation might subject the party to prosecution for felony. No pleading can be used in a criminal prosecution against the party as proof of a fact admitted or alleged in it. (C.C.P., s. 117; 1868‑9, c. 159, s. 7; Code, s. 258; Rev., s. 493; C.S., s. 533.)

§§ 1‑150 through 1‑160. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 18.

Amendments.

§§ 1‑161 through 1‑163. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑164. Amendment changing nature of action or relief; effect.

When the complaint is so amended as to change the nature of the action and the character of the relief demanded, the judgment rendered does not operate as an estoppel upon any person acquiring an interest in the property in controversy prior to the allowance of the amendment. (1901, c. 486; Rev., s. 508; C.S., s. 548.)

§ 1‑165. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑166. Defendant sued in fictitious name; amendment.

When the plaintiff is ignorant of the name of a defendant the latter may be designated in a pleading or proceeding by any name; and when his true name is discovered, the pleading or proceeding may be amended accordingly. (C.C.P., s. 134; Code, s. 275; Rev., s. 510; C.S., s. 550.)

§§ 1‑167 through 1‑169. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

SUBCHAPTER VII. PRETRIAL HEARINGS; TRIAL AND ITS INCIDENTS.

Article 18A.

Pretrial Hearings.

§§ 1‑169.1 through 1‑169.6. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 19.

Trial.

§§ 1‑170 through 1‑173. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑174: Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑216, s.2.

§§ 1‑175 through 1‑179. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑180. Repealed by Session Laws 1977, c. 711, s. 33.

§ 1‑180.1. Judge not to comment on verdict.

In criminal actions the presiding judge shall make no comment in open court in the presence or hearing of all, or any member or members, of the panel of jurors drawn or summoned for jury duty at any session of court, upon any verdict rendered at such session of court, and if any presiding judge shall make any comment as herein prohibited, or shall praise or criticize any jury on account of its verdict, whether such comment, praise or criticism be made inadvertently or intentionally, such praise, criticism or comment by the judge shall constitute valid grounds as a matter of right, for the continuance for the session of any action remaining to be tried during that week at such session of court, upon motion of a defendant or upon motion of the State. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable upon the hearing of motions for a new trial, motions to set aside the verdict of a jury, or a motion made in arrest of judgment. (1955, c. 200; 1967, c. 954, s. 3; 1971, c. 381, s. 12.)

§ 1‑181. Requests for special instructions.

(a) Requests for special instructions to the jury must be –

(1) In writing,

(2) Entitled in the cause, and

(3) Signed by counsel submitting them.

(b) Such requests for special instructions must be submitted to the trial judge before the judge's charge to the jury is begun. However, the judge may, in his discretion, consider such requests regardless of the time they are made.

(c) Written requests for special instructions shall, after their submission to the judge, be filed as a part of the record of the same. (C.C.P., s. 239; Code, s. 415; Rev., s. 538; C.S., s. 565; 1951, c. 837, s. 6.)

§ 1‑181.1. View by jury.

The judge presiding at the trial of any action or proceeding involving the exercise of the right of eminent domain, or the condemnation of real property may, in his discretion, permit the jury to view the property which is the subject of condemnation. (1965, c. 138.)

§ 1‑181.2. Use of evidence by the jury.

(a) If the jury in a civil action after retiring for deliberation requests a review of certain testimony or other evidence, the jurors must be conducted to the courtroom. The court in its discretion, after notice to the parties and giving the parties an opportunity to be heard, may direct that requested parts of the testimony be read to the jury and may permit the jury to reexamine in open court the requested materials admitted into evidence. The court in its discretion may also have the jury review other evidence relating to the same factual issue so as not to give undue prominence to the evidence requested.

(b) Upon request by the jury, the court may in its discretion and after permitting the parties an opportunity to be heard permit the jury to take into the jury room admitted exhibits which have been passed to the jury, photographs admitted into evidence and shown to the jury and used by any witnesses in their testimony before the jury, and any illustrative exhibits admitted into evidence and used by any witnesses in their testimony before the jury. Summaries of testimony prepared in the courtroom by any party, lists made by any party in the courtroom and such similar documents shall not be sent to the jury room with the jury, even if admitted into evidence and requested by the jury. Depositions may be taken into the jury room upon request of the jury only with consent of the parties.

(c) Upon request by the jury, the court may permit the jury to take into the jury room any exhibit that all parties stipulate and agree may be taken into the jury room.

(d) In sending any exhibits to the jury, the court should ensure that the evidentiary integrity of the exhibit is preserved. (2007‑407, s. 1.)

§ 1‑182. Repealed by Session Laws 1977, c. 776.

§ 1‑183. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑183.1. Effect on counterclaim of dismissal as to plaintiff's claim.

The granting of a motion by the defendant for judgment of dismissal as to the plaintiff's cause of action shall not amount to the taking of a voluntary dismissal on any counterclaim which the defendant was required or permitted to plead pursuant to G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 13. (1959, c. 77; 1971, c. 1093, s. 3.)

§§ 1‑184 through 1‑185. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑186. Exceptions to decision of court.

(a) For the purposes of an appeal, either party may except to a decision on a matter of law arising upon a trial by the court within 10 days after the judgment, in the same manner and with the same effect as upon a trial by jury. Where the decision does not authorize a final judgment, but directs further proceedings before a referee or otherwise, either party may except thereto, and make a case or exception as above provided in case of an appeal.

(b) Either party desiring a review, upon the evidence appearing on the trial of the questions of law, may at any time within 10 days after the judgment, or within such time as is prescribed by the rules of the court, make a case or exceptions in like manner as upon a trial by jury, except that the judge in settling the case must briefly specify the facts found by him, and his conclusions of law. (C.C.P., s. 242; Code, s. 418; Rev., s. 542; C.S., s. 570.)

§ 1‑187. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 20.

Reference.

§§ 1‑188 through 1‑195. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 21.

Issues.

§§ 1‑196 through 1‑200. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 22.

Verdict and Exceptions.

§ 1‑201. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑202. Special controls general.

Where a special finding of facts is inconsistent with the general verdict, the former controls, and the court shall give judgment accordingly. (C.C.P., s. 234; Code, s. 410; Rev., s. 552; C.S., s. 586.)

§§ 1‑203 through 1‑207. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

SUBCHAPTER VIII. JUDGMENT.

Article 23.

Judgment.

§ 1‑208. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑208.1. Judgment docket, judgment and docket book defined.

As used in this Chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the phrases "judgment docket", "judgment book", "docket book", and "judgment and docket book" include, without limitation, all records created or maintained by the clerk of superior court, pursuant to rules prescribed by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts pursuant to G.S. 7A‑109, by the use of an electronic data entry system established by the Director pursuant to G.S. 7A‑343. (1991, c. 167, s. 1.)

§ 1‑209. Judgments authorized to be entered by clerk; sale of property; continuance pending sale; writs of assistance and possession.

The clerks of the superior courts are authorized to enter the following judgments:

(1) All judgments of voluntary nonsuit.

(2) All consent judgments.

(3) In all actions upon notes, bills, bonds, stated accounts, balances struck, and other evidences of indebtedness within the jurisdiction of the superior court.

(4) All judgments by default final and default and inquiry as are authorized by Rule 55 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, and in this section provided.

(5) In all cases where the clerks of the superior court enter judgment by default final upon any debt secured by mortgage, deed of trust, conditional sale contract or other conveyance of any kind, either real or personal property, or by a pledge of property, the said clerks of the superior court are authorized and empowered to order a foreclosure of such mortgage, deed of trust, conditional sale contract, or other conveyance, and order a sale of the property so conveyed or pledged upon such terms as appear to be just; and the said clerks of the superior court shall have all the power and authority now exercised by the judges of the superior court to appoint commissioners to make such sales, to receive the reports thereof, and to confirm the report of sale or to order a resale, and to that end they are authorized to continue such causes from time to time as may be required to complete the sale, and in the final judgment in said causes they shall order the execution and delivery of all necessary deeds and make all necessary orders disbursing the funds arising from the sale, and may issue writs of assistance and possession upon ten days' notice to parties in possession. The commissioners appointed to make foreclosure sales, as herein authorized, may proceed to advertise such sales immediately after the date of entering judgment and order of foreclosure, unless otherwise provided in said judgment and order.

(6) All judgments on awards, or on Certificates of Accrued Arrearages, of the Industrial Commission in workers' compensation cases, as defined and provided for in G.S. 97‑87.

In any tax foreclosure action pending on March 15, 1939 or thereafter brought under the provisions of G.S. 105‑414 in which there is filed no answer which seeks to prevent entry of judgment of sale, the clerk of the superior court may render judgment of sale and make all necessary subsequent orders and judgments to the same extent as permitted by this section in actions brought to foreclose a mortgage. All such judgments and orders heretofore rendered or made by a clerk of the superior court in such tax foreclosure actions are hereby, as to the authority of the said clerk, ratified and confirmed. (1919, c. 156; C.S., s. 593; Ex. Sess., 1921, c. 92, s. 12; 1929, cc. 35, 49; 1939, c. 107; 1943, c. 301, s. 1; 1967, c. 954, s. 3; 2001‑477, s. 2.)

§ 1‑209.1. Petitioner who abandons condemnation proceeding taxed with fee for respondent's attorney.

In all condemnation proceedings authorized by G.S. 40A‑3 or by any other statute, the clerks of the superior courts are authorized to fix and tax the petitioner with a reasonable fee for respondent's attorney in cases in which the petitioner takes or submits to a voluntary nonsuit or otherwise abandons the proceeding. (1957, c. 400, s. 1; 2001‑487, s. 38(a).)

§ 1‑209.2. Voluntary nonsuit by petitioner in condemnation proceeding.

The petitioner in all condemnation proceedings authorized by G.S. 40A‑3 or by any other statute is authorized and allowed to take a voluntary nonsuit. (1957, c. 400, s. 2; 2001‑487, s. 38(b).)

§ 1‑210. Return of execution; order for disbursement of proceeds.

In all executions issued by the clerk of the superior court upon judgment before the clerk of the superior court, under G.S. 1‑209, and execution issued thereon, the sheriff shall make his return to the clerk of the superior court, who shall make the final order directing the sheriff to disburse the proceeds received by him under said execution: Provided, that any interested party may appeal to the superior court, where the matter shall be heard de novo. (1925, c. 222, s. 1.)

§§ 1‑211 through 1‑215. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑215.1. Judgments or orders not rendered on Mondays validated.

In any case where, prior to the ratification of this section, any judgment or order, required to be rendered or signed on Monday, has been rendered or signed by any clerk of the superior court on any day other than Monday, such judgment or order is hereby declared to be valid and of the same force and effect as if the day on which it was signed or rendered had been a Monday; and any conveyance executed by any commissioner or other person authorized to make a conveyance in any action or special proceeding where the appointment of the commissioner or other person, the order of sale, the order of resale, or the confirmation of sale was made on a day other than Monday, is hereby declared to be valid and to have the same force and effect as if the day on which such judgment or order was rendered had been a Monday. (1943, c. 301, s. 4.)

§ 1‑215.2. Time within which judgments or orders signed on days other than Mondays may be attacked.

From and after the 30th day of September, 1951, no action shall be brought or no motion in the cause shall be made to attack any judgment or order of any clerk of the superior court by reason of such judgment or order having been signed by such clerk of the superior court on any day other than Monday. (1951, c. 895, s. 1.)

§ 1‑215.3. Validation of conveyances pursuant to orders made on days other than Mondays.

From and after the 30th day of September, 1951, any conveyance executed by any commissioner or other person authorized to make a conveyance in any action or special proceeding where the appointment of the commissioner or other person, the order of sale, the order of resale, or the order or confirmation of sale was made on a day other than Monday is hereby declared to be valid and to have the same force and effect as if the day on which such judgment or order was rendered had been a Monday. (1951, c. 895, s. 2.)

§ 1‑216. Repealed by Session Laws 1943, c. 301, s. 3.

§ 1‑217. Certain default judgments validated.

In every case where, prior to the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and twenty‑seven, a judgment by default final has been entered by the clerk of the superior court of any county in this State on a day other than Monday, contrary to G.S. 1‑215 and 1‑216, such judgment shall be deemed to have been entered as of the first Monday immediately following the default and is hereby to all intents and purposes validated; provided, however, nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the rights of any interested party, as provided in G.S. 1‑220 other than for irregularity as to date of entry of the judgment by the clerk of the court. (1927, c. 187.)

§ 1‑217.1. Judgments based on summons erroneously designated alias or pluries validated.

In all civil actions and special proceedings where the defendants were served with summons and judgment thereafter entered, or any final decree made, and said judgments or decrees shall not be invalidated by reason of the fact that the summons, although designated an alias or pluries summons, was not actually such: Provided, that this section shall not apply where the first summons was issued more than five years preceding March 6, 1943. (1943, c. 532.)

§ 1‑217.2. Judgments by default to remove cloud from title to real estate validated.

In every case where prior to the tenth day of October, 1969, a judgment by default final has been entered by the clerk of superior court of any county in this State in an action to remove cloud from title to real estate, the said judgment is hereby to all intents and purposes validated, and said judgment is hereby declared to be regular, proper and a lawful judgment in all respects according to the provisions of same. (1961, c. 628; 1971, c. 59; 1973, c. 1348, s. 1.)

§§ 1‑218 through 1‑222. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑223. Against married persons.

In an action brought by or against a married person, judgment may be given against such married person for costs or damages or both, to be levied and collected solely out of such married person's separate estate or property. (Rev., s. 563; C.S., s. 603; 1977, c. 545.)

§§ 1‑224 through 1‑227. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

§ 1‑228. Regarded as a deed and registered.

Every judgment, in which the transfer of title is so declared, shall be regarded as a deed of conveyance, executed in due form and by capable persons, notwithstanding the want of capacity in any person ordered to convey, and shall be registered in the proper county, under the rules and regulations prescribed for conveyances of similar property executed by the party. The party desiring registration of such judgment must produce to the register a copy thereof, certified by the clerk of the court in which it is enrolled, under the seal of the court, and the register shall record both the judgment and certificate. All laws which are passed for extending the time for registration of deeds include such judgments, provided the conveyance, if actually executed, would be so included. (1850, c. 107, ss. 2, 4; R.C., c. 32, ss. 25, 27; 1874‑5, c. 17, ss. 2, 4; Code, ss. 427, 429; Rev., ss. 567, 568; C.S., s. 608.)

§ 1‑229. Certified registered copy evidence.

In all legal proceedings, touching the right of parties derived under such judgment, a certified copy from the register's books is evidence of its existence and of the matters therein contained, as fully as if proved by a perfect transcript of the whole case. (1850, c. 107, s. 3; R.C., c. 32, s. 26; 1874‑5, c. 17, s. 3; Code, s. 428; Rev., s. 569; C.S., s. 609.)

§ 1‑230. In action for recovery of personal property.

In an action to recover the possession of personal property, judgment for the plaintiff may be for the possession, or for the recovery of possession, or for the value thereof in case a delivery cannot be had, and damages for the detention. If the property has been delivered to the plaintiff, and the defendant claims a return thereof, judgment for the defendant may be for a return of the property, or for the value thereof in case a return cannot be had, and damages for taking and withholding the same. (C.C.P., s. 251; Code, s. 431; Rev., s. 570; C.S., s. 610.)

§ 1‑231. What judge approves judgments.

In all cases where a judgment, decree or order of the superior court is required to be approved by a judge, it shall be approved by the judge having jurisdiction of receivers and injunctions. (1876‑7, c. 223, s. 3; 1879, c. 63; 1881, c. 51; Code, s. 432; Rev., s. 571; C.S., s. 611.)

§ 1‑232. Judgment roll.

Unless the party or his attorney furnishes a judgment roll or the documents referred to in this section are already on file, the clerk, immediately after entering the judgment, shall attach together and file the following papers which constitute the judgment roll:

(1) In case the complaint is not answered by any defendant, the summons and complaint, or copies thereof, proof of service, and that no answer has been received, the report, if any, and a copy of the judgment.

(2) In all other cases, the summons, pleadings, or copies thereof, and a copy of the judgment, with any verdict or report, the offer of the defendant, exceptions, case, and all orders and papers in any way involving the merits and necessarily affecting the judgment. (C.C.P., s. 253; Code, s. 434; Rev., s. 572; C.S., s. 612; 2003‑59, s. 1.)

§ 1‑233. Docketed and indexed.

Every judgment of the superior or district court, affecting title to real property, or requiring in whole or in part the payment of money, shall be indexed and recorded by the clerk of said superior court on the judgment docket of the court. The docket entry must contain the file number for the case in which the judgment was entered, the names of the parties, the address, if known, of each party and against whom judgment is rendered, the relief granted, the date, hour, and minute of the entry of judgment under G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 58, and the date, hour, and minute of the indexing of the judgment. The clerk shall keep a cross‑index of the whole, with the dates and file numbers thereof; however, error or omission in the entry of the address or addresses shall in no way affect the validity, finality or priority of the judgment docketed. (Sup. Ct. Rule VIII; C.C.P., s. 252; Code, s. 433; Rev., s. 573; 1909, c. 709; C.S., s. 613; 1929, c. 183; 1943, c. 301, s. 41/2; 1971, c. 268, s. 6; 1981, c. 745, s. 1; 2003‑59, s. 2.)

§ 1‑234. Where and how docketed; lien.

Upon the entry of a judgment under G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 58, affecting the title of real property, or directing in whole or in part the payment of money, the clerk of superior court shall index and record the judgment on the judgment docket of the court of the county where the judgment was entered. The judgment may be docketed on the judgment docket of the court of any other county upon the filing with the clerk thereof of a transcript of the original docket. The judgment lien is effective as against third parties from and after the indexing of the judgment as provided in G.S. 1‑233. The judgment is a lien on the real property in the county where the same is docketed of every person against whom any such judgment is rendered, and which he has at the time of the docketing thereof in the county in which such real property is situated, or which he acquires at any time thereafter, for 10 years from the date of the entry of the judgment under G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 58, in the county where the judgment was originally entered. But the time during which the party recovering or owning such judgment shall be, or shall have been, restrained from proceeding thereon by an order of injunction, or other order, or by the operation of any appeal, or by a statutory prohibition, does not constitute any part of the 10 years aforesaid, as against the defendant in such judgment, or the party obtaining such orders or making such appeal, or any other person who is not a purchaser, creditor or mortgagee in good faith.

A judgment docketed pursuant to G.S. 15A‑1340.38 shall constitute a lien against the property of a defendant as provided for under this section. (C.C.P., s. 254; Code, s. 435; Rev., s. 574; C.S., s. 614; 1971, c. 268, s. 7; 1998‑212, s. 19.4(i); 2003‑59, s. 3.)

§ 1‑235. Of appellate division docketed in superior court; lien.

It is the duty of the appropriate clerk of the appellate division, on application of the party obtaining judgment in one of the courts of that division, directing in whole or in part the payment of money, or affecting the title to real estate, or on the like application of the attorney of record of said party, to certify under his hand and the seal of said court a transcript of the judgment, setting forth the title of the court, the names of the parties thereto, the relief granted, that the judgment was so rendered by said court, the amount and date of the judgment, what part thereof bears interest and from what time; and said clerk shall send such certificate and transcript to the clerk of the superior court of such counties as he is directed; and the clerk of the superior court receiving the certificate and transcript shall docket them in like manner as judgment rolls of the superior court are docketed. And when so docketed, the lien of said judgment is the same in all respects, subject to the same restrictions and qualifications, and the time shall be reckoned as is provided and prescribed in the preceding sections for judgments of the superior court, so far as the same are applicable. The party desiring the certificate and transcript provided for in this section may obtain them at any time after such judgment has been rendered, unless the appellate court otherwise directs. (1881, c. 75, ss. 1, 4; Code, s. 436; Rev., s. 575; C.S., s. 615; 1969, c. 44, s. 2.)

§ 1‑236. Repealed by Session Laws 1971, c. 268, s. 34.

§ 1‑236.1. Transcripts of judgments certified by deputy clerks validated.

Each transcript of judgment from the original docket of the superior or district court of a county where the same was rendered and docketed, heretofore certified under the official seal of said court, by a deputy clerk thereof, in his own name as such deputy clerk, and docketed on the judgment docket of another county in the State, is hereby validated and declared of full force and effect in such county where docketed, from the date of docketing of the same, to the same extent and with the same effect as if said transcript of judgment had been certified in the name of the clerk of the superior court of said original county, and under his hand and official seal. (1943, c. 11; 1971, c. 268, s. 8.)

§ 1‑237. Judgments of federal courts docketed; lien on property; recordation; conformity with federal law.

Judgments and decrees rendered in the district courts of the United States within this State may be docketed on the judgment dockets of the superior courts in the several counties of this State for the purpose of creating liens upon property in the county where docketed; and when a judgment or decree is registered, recorded, docketed and indexed in a county in like manner as is required of judgments and decrees of the courts of this State, it shall become a lien and shall have all the rights, force and effect of a judgment or decree of the superior court of said county. When a judgment roll of a district court is filed with the clerk of the superior court, the clerk shall docket it as judgments of the superior court are required to be docketed. It is the intent and purpose of this section to conform the State law to the requirements of the act of Congress entitled "An Act to Regulate the Liens on Judgments and Decrees of the Courts of the United States" being the act of August first, one thousand eight hundred and eighty‑eight, Chapter seven hundred and twenty‑nine. (1889, c. 439; Rev., s. 576; C.S., s. 616; 1943, c. 543.)

§ 1‑238. Repealed by Session Laws 1943, c. 543.

§ 1‑239. Paid to clerk; docket credited; transcript to other counties; notice to attorney for judgment creditor; judgment creditor to give notice of payment; entry of payment on docket; penalty for failure to give notice of payment.

(a) Payment of money judgment to clerk's office.

(1) The party against whom a judgment for the payment of money is rendered by any court of record may pay the whole, or any part thereof, in cash or by check, to the clerk of the court in which the same was rendered, although no execution has issued on such judgment.

(2) The clerk shall give the party a receipt showing the date and amount of the payment and identifying the judgment, and shall note receipt of the payment on the judgment docket of the court. If the payment is made by check and the check is not finally paid by the drawee bank, the clerk shall cancel the notation of receipt and return the check to the party who tendered it.

(3) When a payment to the clerk is made in cash or when a check is finally paid by the drawee bank, the clerk shall give the notice provided for in subsection (b). When the full amount of a judgment has been so paid, the clerk shall include the words "JUDGMENT PAID IN FULL" in the notice.

(4) When a judgment has been paid in part, but not in full, the clerk shall furnish a certificate of partial payment to the clerk of superior court of any county to which a transcript of a judgment has been sent, but only upon the request of that clerk or of the party who made the partial payment.

(5) When a judgment has been paid in full, and the party in whose favor the judgment was rendered has collected all payments made to the clerk, or when ten days have passed since notice of payment in full was sent pursuant to subsection (b) and the party has neither collected all payments made to the clerk nor notified the clerk that the party disputes payment of the full amount of the judgment, then the clerk shall immediately:

a. Mark "PAID AND SATISFIED IN FULL" on the judgment docket, and

b. Forward a certificate of payment in full to the clerk of superior court in each county to which a transcript of the judgment has been sent.

(6) If the party in whose favor a judgment has been rendered notifies the clerk that the party disputes payment in full of the judgment, the clerk shall proceed as provided in G.S. 1‑242.

(7) Entries of payment or satisfaction on the judgment dockets in the office of the clerk of the superior court by any person other than the clerk shall be made in the presence of the clerk or his deputy, who shall witness the same.

(b) Upon receipt of any payment of money upon a judgment, the clerk of superior court shall within seven days after the receipt of such payment give notice thereof to the attorney of record for the party in whose favor the judgment was rendered, or if there is no attorney of record to the party. Any other official of any court who receives payment of money upon a judgment shall give notice in the same manner; provided, further, that no such moneys shall be paid by the clerk of the superior court until at least seven days after written notice by mail or in person has been given to the attorney of record in whose favor the judgment was rendered; provided further, that the attorney of record may waive said notice, and said moneys shall be paid by the clerk of superior court, by signing the judgment docket.

(c) Upon receipt by the judgment creditor of any payment of money upon a judgment, the judgment creditor shall within 60 days after receipt of the payment give satisfactory notice thereof to the clerk of the superior court in which the judgment was rendered, and the clerk shall thereafter promptly enter the payment on the judgment docket of the court, and the clerk shall immediately forward a certificate thereof to the clerk of the superior court of each county to whom a transcript of the judgment has been sent, and the clerk of each superior court shall thereafter promptly enter the same on the judgment docket of the court and file the original with the judgment roll in the action. If the judgment creditor fails to file the notice required by this subsection within 30 days following written demand by the debtor, he may be required to pay a civil penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in addition to attorneys' fees and any loss caused to the debtor by such failure. The clear proceeds of civil penalties provided for in this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C‑457.2. (1823, c. 1212, P.R.; R.C., c. 31, s. 127; Code, s. 438; Rev., s. 577; 1911, c. 76; C.S., s. 617; 1967, c. 1067; 1969, c. 18; 1981, c. 745, s. 2; 1987, c. 497; 1997‑456, s.27; 1998‑215, s. 94.)

§ 1‑239.1. Records of cancellation, assignment, etc., of judgments recorded by photographic process.

In all cases where the governing authority of any county has caused the instruments or documents filed for record in the office of the clerk of the superior court of such county to be recorded by any system involving the use of microfilm or by the use of any microphotographic system or by any system of photographic recording, it shall be lawful for the clerk of the superior court to keep a record or docket book for the purpose of entering on same payment or payments, credit or satisfaction, assignments or releases in whole or in part of any judgment which has heretofore been recorded by any photographic process above mentioned. For this purpose, the form of such docket or record book shall be substantially as follows:

"______________ Superior Court Cancellation, Assignment, Transfer or Release of Judgments, etc.

I (We) ______________do hereby certify that that certain judgment docketed in Judgment Docket________, at page______, filed __________________ day of____, ____, Case No.______, wherein _____________ is (are) Plaintiff(s) and ____________ is (are) Defendant(s) has been fully satisfied, released and discharged together with all costs, and interest, ________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Signed in the presence of ________________________________

Assistant‑Deputy Clerk of

the Superior Court of

__________County"

Any entries of payment, credits or satisfaction made on such record or docket book, in substantially the form above mentioned, shall be good and valid payments, credits or satisfactions in all respects as if the same had been duly entered on the original judgment docket before the recording of same by the photographic process or system above mentioned. The clerk of the superior court shall have the authority to forward certificates to the clerk of the superior court of each county to whom a transcript of said judgment has been sent to the same extent and for all the purposes provided in G.S. 1‑239, and all payments, credits or satisfactions entered in said docket book or record shall be valid to the same extent as if the same had been entered in the regular judgment docket in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 1‑239. (1951, c. 774; 1999‑456, s. 59.)

§ 1‑240. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 847, s. 2.

§ 1‑241. Clerk to pay money to party entitled.

The clerk, to whom money is paid as aforesaid, shall pay it to the party entitled to receive it, under the same rules and penalties as if the money had been paid into his office by virtue of an execution. (1823, c. 1212, s. 2, P.R.; R.C., c. 31, s. 128; Code, s. 439; Rev., s. 578; C.S., s. 619.)

§ 1‑242. Credits upon judgments.

If payment is made on a judgment docketed in the office of the clerk of the superior court and no entry is made on the judgment docket, or if a docketed judgment is reversed or modified on appeal and no entry is made on the judgment docket, any interested person may move in the cause before the clerk, upon affidavit after notice to all interested persons, to have the credit, reversal, or modification entered. A hearing on the motion before the clerk may be on affidavit, oral testimony, deposition, and any other competent evidence. The clerk shall render judgment, from which any party may appeal in the same manner as in appeals in special proceedings. On appeal, any party may demand a jury trial of any issue of fact. If a final judgment orders the credit, reversal, or modification, a transcript of the final judgment shall be sent by the clerk of the superior court to each county in which the original judgment is docketed, and the clerk of each county shall enter the transcript on the judgment docket of that county opposite the original judgment and file the transcript. No final process may issue on the original judgment after affidavit filed in the cause until there is a final disposition of the motion for credit, reversal, or modification. (1903, c. 558; Rev., s. 579; C.S., s. 620; 1999‑216, s. 3.)

§ 1‑243. For money due on judicial sale.

The Supreme and other courts ordering a judicial sale, or having possession of bonds taken on such sale, may, on motion, after ten days' notice thereof in writing, enter judgment as soon as the money becomes due against the debtors or any of them, unless for good cause shown the court directs some other mode of collection. (R.C., c. 31, s. 129; Code, s. 941; Rev., s. 1524; C.S., s. 621.)

§ 1‑244. Repealed by Session Laws 1971, c. 268, s. 34.

§ 1‑245. Cancellation of judgments discharged through bankruptcy proceedings.

When a referee in bankruptcy furnishes the clerk of the superior court of any county in this State a written statement or certificate to the effect that a bankrupt has been discharged, indicating in said certificate that the plaintiff or judgment creditor in whose favor judgments against the defendant bankrupt are docketed in the office of the clerk of the superior court have received due notice as provided by law from the said referee, and that said judgments have been discharged, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the superior court to file said certificate and enter a notation thereof on the margin of said judgments.

This section shall apply to judgments of this kind already docketed as well as to future judgments of the same kind. (1937, c. 234, ss. 1‑ 4; 1971, c. 268, s. 8.1.)

§ 1‑246. Assignment of judgment to be entered on judgment docket, signed and witnessed.

No assignment of judgment shall be valid at law to pass any property as against creditors or purchasers for a valuable consideration from the donor, bargainor, or assignor, but from the entry of such assignment on the margin of the judgment docket opposite the said judgment, signed by the owner of said judgment, or his attorney under power of attorney or his attorney of record, and witnessed by the clerk or the deputy clerk of the superior court of the county in which said judgment is docketed: Provided, that when an assignment of judgment is duly executed by the owner or owners of the judgment and recorded in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the judgment is docketed and a specific reference thereto is made on the margin of the judgment docket opposite the judgment to be assigned, it shall operate as a complete and valid transfer and assignment of the judgment. (1941, c. 61; 1945, c. 154.)

Article 24.

Confession of Judgment.

§§ 1‑247 through 1‑249. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 25.

Submission of Controversy Without Action.

§§ 1‑250 through 1‑252. Repealed by Session Laws 1967, c. 954, s. 4.

Article 26.

Declaratory Judgments.

§ 1‑253. Courts of record permitted to enter declaratory judgments of rights, status and other legal relations.

Courts of record within their respective jurisdictions shall have power to declare rights, status, and other legal relations, whether or not further relief is or could be claimed. No action or proceeding shall be open to objection on the ground that a declaratory judgment or decree is prayed for. The declaration may be either affirmative or negative in form and effect; and such declarations shall have the force and effect of a final judgment or decree. (1931, c. 102, s. 1.)

§ 1‑254. Courts given power of construction of all instruments.

Any person interested under a deed, will, written contract or other writings constituting a contract, or whose rights, status or other legal relations are affected by a statute, municipal ordinance, contract or franchise, may have determined any question of construction or validity arising under the instrument, statute, ordinance, contract, or franchise, and obtain a declaration of rights, status, or other legal relations thereunder. A contract may be construed either before or after there has been a breach thereof. (1931, c. 102, s. 2.)

§ 1‑255. Who may apply for a declaration.

Any person interested as or through an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, creditor, devisee, legatee, heir, next of kin, or cestui que trust, in the administration of a trust, or of the estate of a decedent, an infant, lunatic, or insolvent, may have a declaration of rights or legal relations in respect thereto:

(1) To ascertain any class of creditors, devisees, legatees, heirs, next of kin or others; or

(2) To direct the executors, administrators, or trustees to do or abstain from doing any particular act in their fiduciary capacity; or

(3) To determine any question arising in the administration of the estate or trust, including questions of construction of wills and other writings.

(4) To determine the apportionment of the federal estate tax, interest and penalties under the provisions of Article 27 of Chapter 28A. (1931, c. 102, s. 3; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 878, s. 2.)

§ 1‑256. Enumeration of declarations not exclusive.

The enumeration in G.S. 1‑254 and 1‑255 does not limit or restrict the exercise of the general powers conferred in G.S. 1‑253 in any proceedings where declaratory relief is sought, in which a judgment or decree will terminate the controversy or remove an uncertainty. (1931, c. 102, s. 4.)

§ 1‑257. Discretion of court.

The court may refuse to render or enter a declaratory judgment or decree where such judgment or decree, if rendered or entered, would not terminate the uncertainty or controversy giving rise to the proceeding; provided, however, that a controversy between insurance companies, arising either by direct action or by joinder or intervention, with respect to which of two or more of the insurers is liable under its particular policy and the insurers' respective liabilities and obligations, constitutes a justiciable issue and the court should, upon petition by one or more of the parties to the action, render a declaratory judgment as to the liabilities and obligations of the insurers. (1931, c. 102, s. 5; 1989, c. 183.)

§ 1‑258. Review.

All orders, judgment and decrees under this Article may be reviewed as other orders, judgments and decrees. (1931, c. 102, s. 6.)

§ 1‑259. Supplemental relief.

Further relief based on a declaratory judgment or decree may be granted whenever necessary or proper. The application therefor shall be by petition to a court having jurisdiction to grant the relief. If the application be deemed sufficient, the court shall, on reasonable notice, require any adverse party whose rights have been adjudicated by the declaratory judgment or decree, to show cause why further relief should not be granted forthwith. (1931, c. 102, s. 7.)

§ 1‑260. Parties.

When declaratory relief is sought, all persons shall be made parties who have or claim any interest which would be affected by the declaration, and no declaration shall prejudice the rights of persons not parties to the proceedings. In any proceeding which involves the validity of a municipal ordinance or franchise, such municipality shall be made a party, and shall be entitled to be heard, and if the statute, ordinance or franchise is alleged to be unconstitutional, the Attorney General of the State shall also be served with a copy of the proceeding and be entitled to be heard. (1931, c. 102, s. 8.)

§ 1‑261. Jury trial.

When a proceeding under this Article involves the determination of an issue of fact, such issue may be determined in the same manner as issues of fact are tried and determined in other civil actions in the court in which the proceeding is pending. (1931, c. 102, s. 9.)

§ 1‑262. Hearing before judge where no issues of fact raised or jury trial waived; what judge may hear.

Proceedings under this Article shall be tried at a session of court, as in other civil actions. If no issues of fact are raised, or if such issues are raised and the parties waive a jury trial, by agreement of the parties the proceedings may be heard before any judge of the trial division in which the proceeding is pending. If the parties do not agree upon a judge for the hearing and the proceeding is in the Superior Court Division, then upon motion of the plaintiff, the proceeding may be heard by a resident superior court judge of the district, or a superior court judge holding the courts of the district, or by any judge holding a session of superior court within the district. If the parties do not agree upon a judge and the proceeding is in the District Court Division, then upon motion of the plaintiff, the proceeding may be heard by the chief district judge or by a district judge authorized by the chief judge to hear motions and enter interlocutory orders. Such motion shall be in writing, with 10 days' notice to the defendant, and the judge designated shall fix a time and place for the hearing and notify the parties. Upon notice given, the clerk of the court in which the action is pending shall forward the papers in the proceeding to the judge designated. The hearing by the judge shall be governed by the practice for hearings in other civil actions before a judge without a jury. References to judges of the superior court in this section include emergency and special judges. (1931, c. 102, s. 10; 1971, c. 268, s. 9.)

§ 1‑263. Costs.

In any proceeding under this article the court may make such award of costs as may seem equitable and just. (1931, c. 102, s. 11.)

§ 1‑264. Liberal construction and administration.

This Article is declared to be remedial, its purpose is to settle and to afford relief from uncertainty and insecurity with respect to rights, status, and other legal relations, and it is to be liberally construed and administered. (1931, c. 102, s. 12.)

§ 1‑265. Word "person" construed.

The word "person" wherever used in this Article, shall be construed to mean any person, State agency, partnership, joint‑stock company, unincorporated association, or society, or municipal corporation or other corporation of any character whatsoever. (1931, c. 102, s. 13; 2001‑192, s. 3.)

§ 1‑266. Uniformity of interpretation.

This Article shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact it, and to harmonize, as far as possible, with federal laws and regulations on the subject of declaratory judgments and decrees. (1931, c. 102, s. 15.)

§ 1‑267. Short title.

This Article may be cited as the Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act. (1931, c. 102, s. 16.)

Article 26A.

Three‑Judge Panel for Redistricting Challenges.

§ 1‑267.1. Three‑judge panel for actions challenging plans apportioning or redistricting State legislative or congressional districts.

(a) Any action challenging the validity of any act of the General Assembly that apportions or redistricts State legislative or congressional districts shall be filed in the Superior Court of Wake County and shall be heard and determined by a three‑judge panel of the Superior Court of Wake County organized as provided by subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Whenever any person files in the Superior Court of Wake County any action challenging the validity of any act of the General Assembly that apportions or redistricts State legislative or congressional districts, a copy of the complaint shall be served upon the senior resident superior court judge of Wake County, who shall be the presiding judge of the three‑judge panel required by subsection (a) of this section. Upon receipt of that complaint, the senior resident superior court judge of Wake County shall notify the Chief Justice, who shall appoint two additional resident superior court judges to the three‑judge panel of the Superior Court of Wake County to hear and determine the action. Before making those appointments, the Chief Justice shall consult with the North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges, which shall provide the Chief Justice with a list of recommended appointments. To ensure that members of the three‑judge panel are drawn from different regions of the State, the Chief Justice shall appoint to the three‑judge panel one resident superior court judge from the First through Fourth Judicial Divisions and one resident superior court judge from the Fifth through Eighth Judicial Divisions. In order to ensure fairness, to avoid the appearance of impropriety, and to avoid political bias, no member of the panel, including the senior resident superior court judge of Wake County, may be a former member of the General Assembly. Should the senior resident superior court judge of Wake County be disqualified or otherwise unable to serve on the three‑judge panel, the Chief Justice shall appoint another resident superior court judge of Wake County as the presiding judge of the three‑judge panel. Should any other member of the three‑judge panel be disqualified or otherwise unable to serve on the three‑judge panel, the Chief Justice shall appoint as a replacement another resident superior court judge from the same group of judicial divisions as the resident superior court judge being replaced.

(c) No order or judgment shall be entered affecting the validity of any act of the General Assembly that apportions or redistricts State legislative or congressional districts except by the three‑judge panel of the Superior Court of Wake County organized as provided by subsection (b) of this section. In the event of disagreement among the three resident superior court judges comprising the three‑judge panel, then the opinion of the majority shall prevail. (2003‑434, 1st Ex. Sess., s. 7(a).)

Article 26B.

Distribution of Unpaid Residuals in Class Action Litigation.

§ 1‑267.10. Distribution of unpaid residuals in class action litigation.

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that the unpaid residuals in class action litigation are distributed, to the extent possible, in a manner designed either to further the purposes of the underlying causes of action or to promote justice for all citizens of this State. The General Assembly finds that the use of funds collected by the State courts pursuant to this section for these purposes is in the public interest, is a proper use of the funds, and is consistent with essential public and governmental purposes.

(b) Prior to the entry of any judgment or order approving settlement in a class action established pursuant to Rule 23 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, the court shall determine the total amount that will be payable to all class members, if all class members are paid the amount to which they are entitled pursuant to the judgment or settlement. The court shall also set a date when the parties shall report to the court the total amount that was actually paid to the class members. After the report is received, the court, unless it orders otherwise consistent with its obligations under Rule 23 of the Rules of Civil Procedure, shall direct the defendant to pay the sum of the unpaid residue, to be divided and credited equally, to the Indigent Person's Attorney Fund and to the North Carolina State Bar for the provision of civil legal services for indigents. (2005‑420, s. 1.)

SUBCHAPTER IX. APPEAL.

Article 27.

Appeal.

§ 1‑268. Writs of error abolished.

Writs of error in civil actions are abolished, and the only mode of reviewing a judgment, or order, in a civil action, is that prescribed by this Chapter. (C.C.P., s. 296; Code, s. 544; Rev., s. 583; C.S., s. 629.)

§ 1‑269. Certiorari, recordari, and supersedeas.

Writs of certiorari, recordari, and supersedeas are authorized as heretofore in use. The writs of certiorari and recordari, when used as substitutes for an appeal, may issue when ordered upon the applicant filing a written undertaking for the costs only; but the supersedeas, to suspend execution, shall not issue until an undertaking is filed or a deposit made to secure the judgment sought to be vacated, as in cases of appeal where execution is stayed. (1874‑5, c. 109; Code, s. 545; Rev., s. 584; C.S., s. 630.)

§ 1‑270. Appeal to appellate division; security on appeal; stay.

Cases shall be taken to the appellate division by appeal, as provided by law. All provisions in this Article as to the security to be given upon appeals and as to the stay of proceedings apply to appeals taken to the appellate division. (C.C.P., s. 312; Code, ss. 561, 946; Rev., ss. 595, 1540; C.S., s. 631; 1969, c. 444, s. 3.)

§ 1‑271. Who may appeal.

Any party aggrieved may appeal in the cases prescribed in this Chapter. A party who cross assigns error in the grant or denial of a motion under the Rules of Civil Procedure is a party aggrieved. (C.C.P., s. 298; Code, s. 547; Rev., s. 585; C.S., s. 632; 1969, c. 895, s. 15.)

§§ 1‑272 through 1‑276: Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑216, s. 2.

§ 1‑277. Appeal from superior or district court judge.

(a) An appeal may be taken from every judicial order or determination of a judge of a superior or district court, upon or involving a matter of law or legal inference, whether made in or out of session, which affects a substantial right claimed in any action or proceeding; or which in effect determines the action, and prevents a judgment from which an appeal might be taken; or discontinues the action, or grants or refuses a new trial.

(b) Any interested party shall have the right of immediate appeal from an adverse ruling as to the jurisdiction of the court over the person or property of the defendant or such party may preserve his exception for determination upon any subsequent appeal in the cause. (1818, c. 962, s. 4, P.R.; C.C.P., s. 299; Code, s. 548; Rev., s. 587; C.S., s. 638; 1967, c. 954, s. 3; 1971, c. 268, s. 10.)

§ 1‑278. Interlocutory orders reviewed on appeal from judgment.

Upon an appeal from a judgment, the court may review any intermediate order involving the merits and necessarily affecting the judgment. (C.C.P., s. 313; Code, s. 562; Rev., s. 589; C.S., s. 640.)

§ 1‑279. Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c.377, s. 1.

§ 1‑279.1. Manner and time for giving notice of appeal to appellate division in civil actions and in special proceedings.

Any party entitled by law to appeal from a judgment or order rendered by a judge in superior or district court in a civil action or in a special proceeding may take appeal by giving notice of appeal within the time, in the manner, and with the effect provided in the rules of appellate procedure. (1989, c. 377, s. 2.)

§ 1‑280. Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 391, s. 4.

§ 1‑281. Appeals from judgments not in session.

When appeals are taken from judgments of the clerk or judge not made in session, the clerk is authorized to make any and all necessary orders for the perfecting of such appeals. (Ex. Sess. 1921, c. 92, s. 19a; C.S., s. 642(a); 1971, c. 381, s. 12.)

§ 1‑282. Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 391, s. 7.

§ 1‑283. Trial judge empowered to settle record on appeal; effect of leaving office or of disability.

Except as provided in this section, only the judge of superior court or of district court from whose order or judgment an appeal has been taken is empowered to settle the record on appeal when judicial settlement is required. A judge retains power to settle a record on appeal notwithstanding he has resigned or retired or his term of office has expired without reappointment or reelection since entry of the judgment or order. Proceedings for judicial settlement when the judge empowered by this section to settle the record on appeal is unavailable for the purpose by reason of death, mental or physical incapacity, or absence from the State shall be as provided by the rules of appellate procedure. (C.C.P., s. 301; Code, s. 550; 1889, c. 161; Rev., s. 591; 1907, c. 312; C.S., s. 644; 1971, c. 381, s. 12; 1975, c. 391, s. 8.)

§ 1‑284. Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 391, s. 9.

§ 1‑285. Undertaking on appeal.

(a) To render an appeal effectual for any purpose in a civil cause or special proceeding, a written undertaking must be executed on the part of the appellant, with good and sufficient surety, in the sum of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), or any lesser sum as might be adjudged by the court, to the effect that the appellant will pay all costs awarded against him on the appeal, and this undertaking must be filed with the clerk with whom the judgment or order was filed; or such sum must be deposited with the appropriate clerk of the appellate division in compliance with the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure.

(b) The provisions of this section do not apply to the State of North Carolina, a city or a county or a local board of education, an officer thereof in his official capacity, or an agency thereof. (C.C.P., ss. 303, 312; 1871‑2, c. 31; Code, ss. 552, 561; 1889, c. 135, s. 2; Rev., ss. 593, 595; C.S., s. 646; 1969, c. 44, s. 5; 1975, c. 391, s. 1; 1985, c. 468; 1987, c. 462, s. 2; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 742, s. 42.3.)

§ 1‑286. Justification of sureties.

The written undertaking on appeal must be accompanied by the affidavit of one of the sureties that he is worth double the amount specified therein. The respondent may except to the sufficiency of the sureties within ten days after the notice of appeal; and unless they or other sureties justify within the ten days thereafter, the appeal shall be regarded as if no undertaking had been given. The justification must be upon a notice of not less than five days. (C.C.P., s. 310; Code, s. 560; 1887, c. 121; Rev., s. 594; C.S., s. 647; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 742, s. 42.4.)

§ 1‑287. Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 391, s. 2.

§ 1‑287.1. Repealed by Session Laws 1975, c. 391, s. 10.

§ 1‑288. Appeals by indigents; clerk's fees.

When any party to a civil action tried and determined in the superior or district court at the time of trial or special proceeding desires an appeal from the judgment rendered in the action to the Appellate Division, and is unable, by reason of poverty, to make the deposit or to give the security required by law for the appeal, it shall be the duty of the judge or clerk of said court to make an order allowing the party to appeal from the judgment to the Appellate Division as in other cases of appeal, without giving security therefor. The party desiring to appeal from the judgment or order in a civil action or special proceeding shall, within 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order, make affidavit that he or she is unable by reason of poverty to give the security required by law. Nothing contained in this section deprives the clerk of the superior court of the right to demand the fees for the certificate and seal as now allowed by law in such cases. Provided, that where the judge or the clerk has made an order allowing the appellant to appeal as an indigent and the appeal has been filed in the Appellate Division, and an error or omission has been made in the affidavit or certificate of counsel, and the error is called to the attention of the court before the hearing of the argument of the case, the court shall permit an amended affidavit or certificate to be filed correcting the error or omission. (1873‑4, c. 60; Code, s. 553; 1889, c. 161; Rev., s. 597; 1907, c. 878; C.S., s. 649; 1937, c. 89; 1951, c. 837, s. 7; 1969, c. 44, s. 8; 1971, c. 268, s. 12; 1991, c. 563, s. 1; 1993, c. 435, s. 3; 1995, c. 536, s. 1.)

§ 1‑289. Undertaking to stay execution on money judgment.

(a) If the appeal is from a judgment directing the payment of money, it does not stay the execution of the judgment unless a written undertaking is executed on the part of the appellant, by one or more sureties, to the effect that if the judgment appealed from, or any part thereof, is affirmed, or the appeal is dismissed, the appellant will pay the amount directed to be paid by the judgment, or the part of such amount as to which the judgment shall be affirmed, if affirmed only in part, and all damages which shall be awarded against the appellant upon the appeal, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section. Whenever it is satisfactorily made to appear to the court that since the execution of the undertaking the sureties have become insolvent, the court may, by rule or order, require the appellant to execute, file and serve a new undertaking, as above. In case of neglect to execute such undertaking within twenty days after the service of a copy of the rule or order requiring it, the appeal may, on motion to the court, be dismissed with costs. Whenever it is necessary for a party to an action or proceeding to give a bond or an undertaking with surety or sureties, he may, in lieu thereof, deposit with the officer into court money to the amount of the bond or undertaking to be given. The court in which the action or proceeding is pending may direct what disposition shall be made of such money pending the action or proceeding. In a case where, by this section, the money is to be deposited with an officer, a judge of the court, upon the application of either party, may, at any time before the deposit is made, order the money deposited in court instead of with the officer; and a deposit made pursuant to such order is of the same effect as if made with the officer. The perfecting of an appeal by giving the undertaking mentioned in this section stays proceedings in the court below upon the judgment appealed from; except when the sale of perishable property is directed, the court below may order the property to be sold and the proceeds thereof to be deposited or invested, to abide the judgment of the appellate court.

(b) If the appellee in a civil action brought under any legal theory obtains a judgment directing the payment or expenditure of money in the amount of twenty five million dollars ($25,000,000) or more, and the appellant seeks a stay of execution of the judgment within the period of time during which the appellant has the right to pursue appellate review, including discretionary review and certiorari, the amount of the undertaking that the appellant is required to execute to stay execution of the judgment during the entire period of the appeal shall be twenty five million dollars ($25,000,000).

(c) If the appellee proves by a preponderance of the evidence that the appellant for whom the undertaking has been limited under subsection (b) of this section is, for the purpose of evading the judgment, (i) dissipating its assets, (ii) secreting its assets, or (iii) diverting its assets outside the jurisdiction of the courts of North Carolina or the federal courts of the United States other than in the ordinary course of business, then the limitation in subsection (b) of this section shall not apply and the appellant shall be required to make an undertaking in the full amount otherwise required by this section. (C.C.P., ss. 304, 311; Code, s. 554; Rev., s. 598; C.S., s. 650; 2000, Ex. Sess., c. 1, s. 2; 2003‑19, s. 3.)

§ 1‑290. How judgment for personal property stayed.

If the judgment appealed from directs the assignment or delivery of documents or personal property, the execution of the judgment is not stayed by appeal, unless the things required to be assigned or delivered are brought into court, or placed in the custody of such officer or receiver as the court appoints, or unless an undertaking be entered into on the part of the appellant, by at least two sureties, and in such amount as the court or a judge thereof directs, to the effect that the appellant will obey the order of the appellate court upon the appeal. (C.C.P., s. 305; Code, s. 555; Rev., s. 599; C.S., s. 651.)

§ 1‑291. How judgment directing conveyance stayed.

If the judgment appealed from directs the execution of a conveyance or other instrument, the execution of the judgment is not stayed by the appeal until the instrument has been executed and deposited with the clerk with whom the judgment is entered, to abide the judgment of the appellate court. (C.C.P., s. 306; Code, s. 556; Rev., s. 600; C.S., s. 652.)

§ 1‑292. How judgment for real property stayed.

If the judgment appealed from directs the sale or delivery of possession of real property, the execution is not stayed, unless a bond is executed on the part of the appellant, with one or more sureties, to the effect that, during his possession of such property, he will not commit, or suffer to be committed, any waste thereon, and that if the judgment is affirmed he will pay the value of the use and occupation of the property, from the time of the appeal until the delivery of possession thereof pursuant to the judgment, not exceeding a sum to be fixed by a judge of the court by which judgment was rendered and which must be specified in the undertaking. When the judgment is for the sale of mortgaged premises, and the payment of a deficiency arising upon the sale, the undertaking must also provide for the payment of this deficiency. (C.C.P., s. 307; Code, s. 557; Rev., s. 601; C.S., s. 653.)

§ 1‑293. Docket entry of stay.

When an appeal from a judgment is pending, and the undertaking requisite to stay execution on the judgment has been given, and the appeal perfected, the court in which the judgment was recovered may, on special motion, after notice to the person owning the judgment, on such terms as it sees fit, direct an entry to be made by the clerk on the docket of such judgment, that the same is secured on appeal, and no execution can issue upon such judgment during the pendency of the appeal. (C.C.P., s. 254; Code, s. 435; 1887, c. 192; Rev., s. 621; C.S., s. 654.)

§ 1‑294. Scope of stay; security limited for fiduciaries.

When an appeal is perfected as provided by this Article it stays all further proceedings in the court below upon the judgment appealed from, or upon the matter embraced therein; but the court below may proceed upon any other matter included in the action and not affected by the judgment appealed from. The court below may, in its discretion, dispense with or limit the security required, when the appellant is an executor, administrator, trustee, or other person acting in a fiduciary capacity. It may also limit such security to an amount not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), where it would otherwise exceed that sum. (C.C.P., s. 308; Code, s. 558; Rev., s. 602; C.S., s. 655.)

§ 1‑295. Undertaking in one or more instruments; served on appellee.

The undertakings may be in one instrument or several, at the option of the appellant; and a copy, including the names and residences of the sureties, must be served on the adverse party, with the notice of appeal, unless the required deposit is made and notice thereof given. (C.C.P., s. 309; Code, s. 559; Rev., s. 603; C.S., s. 656.)

§ 1‑296. Judgment not vacated by stay.

The stay of proceedings provided for in this Article shall not be construed to vacate the judgment appealed from, but in all cases such judgment remains in full force and effect, and its lien remains unimpaired, notwithstanding the giving of the undertaking or making the deposit required in this Chapter, until such judgment is reversed or modified by the appellate division. (1887, c. 192; Rev., s. 604; C.S., s. 657; 1969, c. 44, s. 9.)

§ 1‑297. Judgment on appeal and on undertakings; restitution.

Upon an appeal from a judgment or order, the appellate court may reverse, affirm or modify the judgment or order appealed from, in the respect mentioned in the notice of appeal, and as to any or all of the parties, and may, if necessary or proper, order a new trial. When the judgment is reversed or modified, the appellate court may make complete restitution of all property and rights lost by the erroneous judgment. Undertakings for the prosecution of appeals and on writs of certiorari shall make a part of the record sent up to the appellate division on which judgment may be entered against the appellant or person prosecuting the writ of certiorari and his sureties, in all cases where judgment is rendered against the appellant or person prosecuting the writ. (1785, c. 233, s. 2, P.R.; 1810, c. 793, P.R.; 1831, c. 46, s. 2; R.C., c. 4, s. 10; C.C.P., s. 314; Code, s. 563; Rev., s. 605; C.S., s. 658; 1969, c. 44, s. 10.)

§ 1‑298. Procedure after determination of appeal.

In civil cases, at the first session of the superior or district court after a certificate of the determination of an appeal is received, if the judgment is affirmed the court below shall direct the execution thereof to proceed, and if the judgment is modified, shall direct its modification and performance. If a new trial is ordered the cause stands in its regular order on the docket for trial at such first session after the receipt of the certificate from the Appellate Division. (1887, c. 192, s. 2; Rev., s. 1526; C.S., s. 659; 1969, c. 44, s. 11; 1971, c. 268, s. 13.)

§§ 1‑299 through 1‑301: Repealed by Session Laws 1971, c. 268, s. 34.

Article 27A.

Appeals and Transfers From the Clerk.

§ 1‑301.1. Appeal of clerk's decision in civil actions.

(a) Applicability. – This section applies to orders or judgments entered by the clerk of superior court in civil actions in which the clerk exercises the judicial powers of that office. If this section conflicts with a specific provision of the General Statutes, that specific provision of the General Statutes controls.

(b) Appeal of Clerk's Order or Judgment. – A party aggrieved by an order or judgment entered by the clerk may, within 10 days of entry of the order or judgment, appeal to the appropriate court for a trial or hearing de novo. The order or judgment of the clerk remains in effect until it is modified or replaced by an order or judgment of a judge. Notice of appeal shall be filed with the clerk in writing. Notwithstanding the service requirement of G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 58, orders of the clerk shall be served on other parties only if otherwise required by law. A judge of the court to which the appeal lies or the clerk may issue a stay of the order or judgment upon the appellant's posting of an appropriate bond set by the judge or clerk issuing the stay.

(c) Duty of Judge on Appeal. – Upon appeal, the judge may hear and determine all matters in controversy in the civil action, unless it appears to the judge that any of the following apply:

(1) The matter is one that involves an action that can be taken only by a clerk.

(2) Justice would be more efficiently administered by the judge's disposing of only the matter appealed.

When either subdivision (1) or subdivision (2) of this subsection applies, the judge shall dispose of the matter appealed and remand the action to the clerk. When subdivision (1) of this subsection applies, the judge may order the clerk to take the action.

(d) Judge's Concurrent Authority Not Affected. – If both the judge and the clerk are authorized by law to enter an order or judgment in a matter in controversy, a party may seek to have the judge determine the matter in controversy initially. (Rev. s. 529; C.S., s. 558; 1971, c. 381, s. 12; 1999‑216, s. 1.)

§ 1‑301.2. Transfer or appeal of special proceedings; exceptions.

(a) Applicability. – This section applies to special proceedings heard by the clerk of superior court in the exercise of the judicial powers of that office. If this section conflicts with a specific provision of the General Statutes, that specific provision of the General Statutes controls.

(b) Transfer. – Except as provided in subsections (g) and (h) of this section, when an issue of fact, an equitable defense, or a request for equitable relief is raised in a pleading in a special proceeding or in a pleading or written motion in an adoption proceeding, the clerk shall transfer the proceeding to the appropriate court. In court, the proceeding is subject to the provisions in the General Statutes and to the rules that apply to actions initially filed in that court.

(c) Duty of Judge on Transfer. – Whenever a special proceeding is transferred to a court pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the judge may hear and determine all matters in controversy in the special proceeding, unless it appears to the judge that justice would be more efficiently administered by the judge's disposing of only the matter leading to the transfer and remanding the special proceeding to the clerk.

(d) Clerk to Decide All Issues. – If a special proceeding is not transferred or is remanded to the clerk after an appeal or transfer, the clerk shall decide all matters in controversy to dispose of the proceeding.

(e) Appeal of Clerk's Decisions. – A party aggrieved by an order or judgment of a clerk that finally disposed of a special proceeding, may, within 10 days of entry of the order or judgment, appeal to the appropriate court for a hearing de novo. Notice of appeal shall be in writing and shall be filed with the clerk. The order or judgment of the clerk remains in effect until it is modified or replaced by an order or judgment of a judge. A judge of the court to which the appeal lies or the clerk may issue a stay of the order or judgment upon the appellant's posting of an appropriate bond set by the judge or clerk issuing the stay. Any matter previously transferred and determined by the court shall not be relitigated in a hearing de novo under this subsection.

(f) Service. – Notwithstanding the service requirement of G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 58, orders of the clerk shall be served on other parties only if otherwise required by law.

(g) Exception for Incompetency and Foreclosure Proceedings and Proceedings to Permit Sterilization for Medical Necessity. –

(1) Proceedings for adjudication of incompetency or restoration of competency under Chapter 35A of the General Statutes, or proceedings to determine whether a guardian may consent to the sterilization of a mentally ill or mentally retarded ward under G.S. 35A‑1245, shall not be transferred even if an issue of fact, an equitable defense, or a request for equitable relief is raised. Appeals from orders entered in these proceedings are governed by Chapter 35A to the extent that the provisions of that Chapter conflict with this section.

(2) Foreclosure proceedings under Article 2A of Chapter 45 of the General Statutes shall not be transferred even if an issue of fact, an equitable defense, or a request for equitable relief is raised. Equitable issues may be raised only as provided in G.S. 45‑21.34. Appeals from orders entered in these proceedings are governed by Article 2A of Chapter 45 to the extent that the provisions of that Article conflict with this section.

(h) Exception for Partition Proceedings. – Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the issue whether to order the actual partition or the sale in lieu of partition of real property that is the subject of a partition proceeding shall not be transferred and shall be determined by the clerk. The clerk's order determining this issue, though not a final order, may be appealed pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. (C.C.P., c. 115; Code, s. 256; 1903, c. 566; Rev., ss. 588, 717; C.S., ss. 634, 758; 1971, c. 381, s. 12; 1995, c. 88, s. 2; 1999‑216, s. 1; 2003‑13, s. 2.)

§ 1‑301.3. Appeal of estate matters determined by clerk.

(a) Applicability. – This section applies to matters arising in the administration of testamentary trusts and of estates of decedents, incompetents, and minors. G.S. 1‑301.2 applies in the conduct of a special proceeding when a special proceeding is required in a matter relating to the administration of an estate.

(b) Clerk to Decide Estate Matters. – In matters covered by this section, the clerk shall determine all issues of fact and law. The clerk shall enter an order or judgment, as appropriate, containing findings of fact and conclusions of law supporting the order or judgment.

(c) Appeal to Superior Court. – A party aggrieved by an order or judgment of the clerk may appeal to the superior court by filing a written notice of the appeal with the clerk within 10 days of entry of the order or judgment. The notice of appeal shall specify the basis for the appeal. Unless otherwise provided by law, a judge of the superior court or the clerk may issue a stay of the order or judgment upon the appellant's posting an appropriate bond set by the judge or clerk issuing the stay. While the appeal is pending, the clerk retains authority to enter orders affecting the administration of the estate, subject to any order entered by a judge of the superior court limiting that authority.

(d) Duty of Judge on Appeal. – Upon appeal, the judge of the superior court shall review the order or judgment of the clerk for the purpose of determining only the following:

(1) Whether the findings of fact are supported by the evidence.

(2) Whether the conclusions of law are supported by the findings of facts.

(3) Whether the order or judgment is consistent with the conclusions of law and applicable law.

It is not necessary for a party to object to the admission or exclusion of evidence before the clerk in order to preserve the right to assign error on appeal to its admission or exclusion. If the judge finds prejudicial error in the admission or exclusion of evidence, the judge, in the judge's discretion, shall either remand the matter to the clerk for a subsequent hearing or resolve the matter on the basis of the record. If the record is insufficient, the judge may receive additional evidence on the evidentiary issue in question. The judge may continue the case if necessary to allow the parties time to prepare for a hearing to receive additional evidence.

(e) Remand After Disposition of Issue on Appeal. – The judge, upon determining the matter appealed from the clerk, shall remand the case to the clerk for such further action as is necessary to administer the estate.

(f) Recording of Estate Matters. – In the discretion of the clerk or upon request by a party, all hearings and other matters covered by this section shall be recorded by an electronic recording device. A transcript of the proceedings may be ordered by a party, by the clerk, or by the presiding judge. If a recordation is not made, the clerk shall submit to the superior court a summary of the evidence presented to the clerk. (1999‑216, s. 1.)

SUBCHAPTER X. EXECUTION.

Article 28.

Execution.

§ 1‑302. Judgment enforced by execution.

Where a judgment requires the payment of money or the delivery of real or personal property it may be enforced in those respects by execution, as provided in this Article. Where it requires the performance of any other act a certified copy of the judgment may be served upon the party against whom it is given, or upon the person or officer who is required thereby or by law to obey the same, and his obedience thereto enforced. If he refuses, he may be punished by the court as for contempt. (C.C.P., s. 257; Code, s. 441; Rev., s. 615; C.S., s. 663.)

§ 1‑303. Kinds of; signed by clerk; when sealed.

There are three kinds of execution: one against the property of the judgment debtor, another against his person, and the third for the delivery of the possession of real or personal property, or such delivery with damages for withholding the same. They shall be deemed the process of the court, and shall be subscribed by the clerk, and when to run out of his county, must be sealed with the seal of his court. (C.C.P., s. 258; Code, s. 442; Rev., s. 616; C.S., s. 664.)

§ 1‑304. Against married woman.

An execution may issue against a married woman, and it must direct the levy and collection of the amount of the judgment against her from her separate property, and not otherwise. (C.C.P., s. 259; Code, s. 443; Rev., s. 617; C.S., s. 665.)

§ 1‑305. Clerk to issue, in six weeks; penalty; limitations on issuance.

(a) Subject to the provisions of G.S. 1A‑1 (Rule 62) and subsection (b) below, the clerk of superior court shall issue executions on all unsatisfied judgments rendered in his court, which are in full force and effect, upon the request of any party or person entitled thereto and upon payment of the necessary fees; provided, however, that the clerks of the superior court shall issue executions on all judgments rendered in their respective courts on forfeiture of bonds in criminal cases within six weeks of the rendition of the judgment, without any request or any advance payment of fees. Every clerk who fails to comply with the requirements of this section is liable to be amerced in the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the benefit of the party aggrieved, under the same rules that are provided by law for amercing sheriffs, and is further liable to the party injured by suit upon his bond.

(b) The clerk may not issue an execution unless

(1) The judgment debtor's exemptions have been designated, or

(2) The judgment debtor has waived his exemptions as provided in G.S. 1C‑1601(c), or

(3) The clerk determines that the exemptions are inapplicable to the particular claim as authorized by G.S. 1C‑1603(a)(3). (1850, c. 17, ss. 1, 2, 3; R.C., c. 45, s. 29; Code, s. 470; Rev., s. 618; C.S., s. 666; 1953, c. 470; 1959, c. 1295; 1973, c. 1070, s. 1; 1981 (Reg. Sess., 1982), c. 1224, s. 15.)

§ 1‑306. Enforcement as of course.

The party in whose favor judgment is given, and in case of his death, his personal representatives duly appointed, may at any time after the entry of judgment proceed to enforce it by execution, as provided in this Article; provided, however, that no execution upon any judgment which requires the payment of money or the recovery of personal property may be issued at any time after ten years from the date of the rendition thereof; but this proviso shall not apply to any execution issued solely for the purpose of enforcing the lien of a judgment upon any homestead, which has or shall hereafter be allotted within the ten years from the date of rendition of judgment, or any judgment directing the payment of alimony. (C.C.P., s. 255; Code, s. 437; Rev., s. 619; C.S., s. 667; 1927, c. 24; 1935, c. 98.)

§ 1‑307. Issued from and returned to court of rendition.

Executions and other process for the enforcement of judgments can issue only from the court in which the judgment for the enforcement of the execution or other final process was rendered; and the returns of executions or other final process shall be made to the court of the county from which it issued. In all cases prior to the first day of March, 1945, where a judgment has been rendered in the superior court of one county and the transcript thereof has been docketed in the office of the clerk of the superior court of some other county or counties, all executions heretofore issued on such docketed transcript of judgment and all homestead proceedings, execution sales, judicial sales and assignments related thereto and based thereon are hereby declared to be lawful, legal and binding upon all purchasers, judgment debtors, judgment creditors, assignors and assignees, and on all parties to the original action and on all parties to or affected by any proceedings related to or based upon such execution, and all such sales, purchases, proceedings and assignments are hereby validated. (1871‑2, c. 74; 1881, c. 75; Code, s. 444; Rev., s. 623; C.S., s. 669; 1945, c. 773.)

§ 1‑308. To what counties issued.

When the execution is against the property of the judgment debtor, it may be issued to the sheriff of any county where the judgment is docketed. No execution may issue from the superior court upon any judgment until such judgment shall be docketed in the county to which the execution is to be issued. When it requires the delivery of real or personal property, it must be issued to the sheriff of the county where the property, or some part thereof, is situated. Execution may be issued at the same time to different counties. (C.C.P., s. 259; 1871‑2, c. 74; 1881, c. 75; Code, s. 443; 1905, c. 412; Rev., s. 622; C.S., s. 670; 1953, c. 884.)

§ 1‑309. Sale of land under execution.

Real property adjudged to be sold must be sold in the county where it lies, by the sheriff of the county or by a referee appointed by the court for that purpose; and thereupon the sheriff or referee must execute a conveyance to the purchaser, which conveyance shall be effectual to pass the rights and interests of the parties adjudged to be sold. (C.C.P., s. 259; Code, s. 443; Rev., s. 622; C.S., s. 671.)

§ 1‑310. When dated and returnable.

Executions shall be dated as of the day on which they were issued, and shall be returnable to the court from which they were issued not more than 90 days from said date, and no executions against property shall issue until 10 days after entry of judgment. (1870‑1, c. 42, s. 7; 1873‑4, c. 7; Code, s. 449; 1903, c. 544; Rev., s. 624; C.S., s. 672; 1927, c. 110; 1931, c. 172; 1953, c. 697; 1971, c. 381, s. 12; 1973, c. 1070, s. 2; 1977, c. 74, s. 1.)

§ 1‑311. Against the person.

If the action is one in which the defendant might have been arrested, an execution against the person of the judgment debtor may be issued to any county within the State, after the return of an execution against his property wholly or partly unsatisfied. But no execution shall issue against the person of a judgment debtor, unless an order of arrest has been served, as provided in the Article Arrest and Bail, or unless the complaint contains a statement of facts showing one or more of the causes of arrest required by law, whether such statement of facts is necessary to the cause of action or not. Provided, that where the facts are found by a jury, the verdict shall contain a finding of facts establishing the right to execution against the person; and where jury trial is waived and the court finds the facts, the court shall find facts establishing the right to execution against the person. Such findings of fact shall include a finding that the defendant either (i) is about to flee the jurisdiction to avoid paying his creditors, (ii) has concealed or diverted assets in fraud of his creditors, or (iii) will do so unless immediately detained. If defendant appears at the hearing on the debt and the judge has reason to believe that the defendant is indigent, he shall inform the defendant that if he is an indigent person he is entitled to services of counsel under G.S. 7A‑451, that he may petition for preliminary release on the basis of his indigency, that if he does so he will have an opportunity within 72 hours to suggest to a judge his indigency for purposes of appointment of counsel and provisional release, and that the judge will thereupon immediately appoint counsel for him if it is adjudged that he is unable to pay a lawyer. If defendant appears at the hearing on the debt and the judge provisionally concludes he is indigent, counsel should be appointed immediately pursuant to rules adopted by the Office of Indigent Defense Services. (C.C.P., s. 260; Code, s. 447; 1891, c. 541, s. 2; Rev., s. 625; C.S., s. 673; 1947, c. 781; 1977, c. 649, s. 1; 2000‑144, s. 14.)

§ 1‑312. Rights against property of defendant dying in execution.

Parties at whose suit the body of a person is taken in execution for a judgment recovered, their executors or administrators, may after the death of the person so taken and dying in execution, have the same rights against the property of the person deceased, as they might have had if that person had never been in execution. (21 James I, s. 24; R.C., c. 45, s. 28; Code, s. 469; Rev., s. 626; C.S., s. 674.)

§ 1‑313. Form of execution.

The execution must be directed to the sheriff, or to the coroner when the sheriff is a party to or interested in the action. In those counties where the office of coroner is abolished, or is vacant, and in which process is required to be executed on the sheriff, the authority to execute such process shall be vested in the clerk of court; however, the clerk of court is hereby empowered to designate and direct by appropriate order some person to act in his stead to execute the same. The execution must also be subscribed by the clerk of the court, and must refer to the judgment, stating the county where the judgment roll or transcript is filed, the names of the parties, the amount of the judgment, if it is for money, the amount actually due thereon, and the time of docketing in the county to which the execution is issued, and shall require the officer substantially as follows:

(1) Against Property – No Lien on Personal Property until Levy. – If it is against the property of the judgment debtor, it shall require the officer to satisfy the judgment out of his personal property; and if sufficient personal property cannot be found, out of the real property belonging to him on the day when the judgment was docketed in the county, or at any time thereafter; but no execution against the property of a judgment debtor is a lien on his personal property, as against any bona fide purchaser from him for value, or as against any other execution, except from the levy thereof.

(2) Against Property in Hands of Personal Representative. – If it is against real or personal property in the hands of personal representatives, heirs, devisees, legatees, tenants of real property or trustees it shall require the officer to satisfy the judgment out of such property.

(3) Against the Person. – If it is against the person of the judgment debtor, it shall require the officer to arrest him, and commit him to the jail of the county until he pays the judgment or is released or discharged according to law. The execution shall include a statement that if the defendant is an indigent person he is entitled to services of counsel, that he may petition for preliminary release on the basis of his indigency, that if he does so he will have an opportunity within 72 hours to suggest to a judge his indigency for purposes of appointment of counsel and provisional release, and that the judge will thereupon immediately appoint counsel for him if it is adjudged that he is unable to pay a lawyer.

(4) For Delivery of Specific Property. – If it is for the delivery of the possession of real or personal property, it shall require the officer to deliver the possession of the same, particularly describing it, to the party entitled thereto, and may at the same time require the officer to satisfy any costs, damages, rents, or profits recovered by the same judgment, out of the personal property of the party against whom it was rendered, and the value of the property for which the judgment was recovered, to be specified therein, if a delivery cannot be had; and if sufficient personal property cannot be found, then out of the real property belonging to him on the day when the judgment was docketed, or at any time thereafter, and in that respect is deemed an execution against property.

(5) For Purchase Money of Land. – If the answer in an action for recovery of a debt contracted for the purchase of land does not deny, or if the jury finds, that the debt was so contracted, it is the duty of the court to have embodied in the judgment that the debt sued on was contracted for the purchase money of the land, describing it briefly; and it is also the duty of the clerk to set forth in the execution that the said debt was contracted for the purchase of the land, the description of which must be set out briefly as in the complaint. (C.C.P., s. 261; 1868‑9, c. 148; 1879, c. 217; Code, ss. 234‑236, 448; Rev., s. 627; C.S., s. 675; 1971, c. 653, s. 2; 1977, c. 649, s. 2.)

§ 1‑314. Variance between judgment and execution.

When property has been sold by an officer by virtue of an execution or other process commanding sale, no variance between the execution and the judgment whereon it was issued, in the sum due, in the manner in which it is due, or in the time when it is due, invalidates or affects the title of the purchaser of such property. (1848, c. 53; R.C., c. 44, s. 13; Code, s. 1347; Rev., s. 628; C.S., s. 676.)

§ 1‑315. Property liable to sale under execution; bill of sale.

(a) The following property of the judgment debtor, not exempted from sale under the Constitution and laws of this State, may be levied on and sold under execution:

(1) Goods, chattels, and real property belonging to him.

(2) Leasehold estates of three years duration or more owned by him.

(3) Equitable and legal rights of redemption in personal and real property pledged or mortgaged by him, or transferred to a trustee for security by him.

(4) Real property or goods and chattels of which any person is seized or possessed in trust for him.

(5) Choses in action represented by instruments which are indispensable to the chose in action.

(6) Choses in action represented by indispensable instruments, which are secured by any interest in property, together with the security interest in property.

(7) Interests as vendee under conditional sales contracts of personal property.

(b) Upon the sale under execution of any property or interest for which no provision is otherwise made under this article for the furnishing of a deed or other instrument of title, the officer holding the sale shall execute and deliver to the purchaser a bill of sale.

(c) No execution shall be levied on growing crops until they are matured. (5 Geo. II, c. 7, s. 4; 1777, c. 115, s. 29, P.R.; 1812, c. 830, ss. 1, 2, P.R.; 1822, c. 1172, P.R.; 1844, c. 35; R.C., c. 45, ss. 1‑5, 11; Code, ss. 450, 453; Rev., ss. 629, 632; 1919, c. 30; C.S., s. 677; 1961, c. 81.)

§ 1‑316. Sale of trust estates; purchaser's title.

Upon the sale under execution of trust estates whereof the judgment debtor is beneficiary the sheriff shall execute a deed to the purchaser, and the purchaser thereof shall hold and enjoy the same freed and discharged from all encumbrances of the trustee. (1812, c. 830, P.R.; R.C., c. 45, s. 4; Code, s. 452; Rev., s. 630; C.S., s. 678.)

§ 1‑317. Sheriff's deed on sale of equity of redemption.

The sheriff selling equitable and legal rights of redemption shall set forth in the deed to the purchaser thereof that the said estates were under mortgage at the time of judgment, or levy in the case of personal property and sale. (1812, c. 830, s. 2, P.R.; 1822, c. 1172, P.R.; R.C., c. 45, s. 5; Code, s. 451; Rev., s. 631; C.S., s. 679.)

§ 1‑318. Forthcoming bond for personal property.

If a sheriff or other officer who has levied an execution or other process upon personal property permits it to remain with the possessor, the officer may take a bond, attested by a credible witness, for the forthcoming thereof to answer the execution or process; but the officer remains, nevertheless, in all respects liable as heretofore to the plaintiff's claim. (1807, c. 731, s. 3, P.R.; 1828, c. 12, s. 2; R.C., c. 45, s. 21; Code, s. 463; Rev., s. 633; C.S., s. 680.)

§ 1‑319. Procedure on giving bond; subsequent levies.

When the forthcoming bond is taken the officer must specify therein the property levied upon and furnished to the surety a list of the property in writing under his hand, attested by at least one credible witness, and stating therein the day of sale. The property levied upon is deemed in the custody of the surety, as the bailee of the officer. All other executions thereafter levied on this property create a lien on the same from and after the respective levies, and shall be satisfied accordingly out of the proceeds of the sale of the property; but the officer thereafter levying shall not take the property out of the custody of the surety. But in all such cases sales of chattels shall take place within thirty days after the first levy; and if sale is not made within that time any other officer who has levied upon the property may seize and sell it. (1844, c. 34; 1846, c. 50; R.C., c. 45, s. 22; Code, s. 464; Rev., s. 634; C.S., s. 682.)

§ 1‑320. Summary remedy on forthcoming bond.

If the condition of such bond be broken, the sheriff or other officer, on giving 10 days' previous notice in writing to any obligor therein, may on motion have judgment against him in a summary manner, before the superior court or before the district court, as the case may be, of the county in which the officer resides, for all damages which the officer has sustained, or may be adjudged liable to sustain, not exceeding the penalty of the bond, to be ascertained by a jury, under the direction of the court. (1822, c. 1141, P.R.; R.C., c. 45, s. 23; Code, s. 465; Rev., s. 635; C.S., s. 681; 1971, c. 268, s. 14.)

§ 1‑321. Entry of returns on judgment docket; penalty.

When an execution is returned, the return of the sheriff or other officer must be noted by the clerk on the judgment docket; and when it is returned wholly or partially satisfied, it is the duty of the clerk of the court to which it is returned to send a copy of such last‑mentioned return, under his hand, to the clerk of the superior court of each county in which such judgment is docketed, who must note such copy in his judgment docket, opposite the judgment, and file the copy with the transcript of the docket of the judgment in his office. A clerk failing to send a copy of the payments on the execution or judgment to the clerks of the superior court of the counties wherein a transcript of the judgment has been docketed, and a clerk failing to note said payment on the judgment docket of his court, shall, on motion, be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) nisi, and the judgment shall be made absolute upon notice to show cause at the succeeding session of the superior court of his county. (1871‑2, c. 74, s. 2; 1881, c. 75; Code, s. 445; Rev., s. 636; C.S., s. 683; 1971, c. 381, s. 12.)

§ 1‑322. Cost of keeping livestock; officer's account.

The court shall make a reasonable allowance to officers for keeping and maintaining horses, cattle, hogs, or sheep, and all other property taken into their custody under legal process, the keeping of which is chargeable to them; and this allowance may be retained by the officers out of the sales of the property, in preference to the satisfaction of the process under which the property was seized or sold. The officer must make out his account and, if required, give the debtor or his agent a copy of it, signed by his own hand, and must return the account with the execution or other process, under which the property has been seized or sold, to the court to whom the execution or process is returnable, and shall swear to the correctness of the several items set forth; otherwise he shall not be permitted to retain the allowance. (1807, c. 731, P.R.; R.C., c. 45, ss. 25, 26; Code, ss. 466, 467; Rev., ss. 637, 638; C.S., s. 684; 1971, c. 268, s. 15.)

§ 1‑323. Purchaser of defective title; remedy against defendant.

Where real or personal property is sold on any execution or decree, by any officer authorized to make the sale, and the sale is made legally and in good faith, and the property did not belong to the person against whose estate the execution or decree was issued, by reason of which the purchaser has been deprived of the property, or been compelled to pay damages in lieu thereof to the owner, the purchaser, his executors or administrators, may sue the person against whom such execution or decree was issued, or the person legally representing him, in a civil action, and recover such sum as he may have paid for the property, with interest from the time of payment; but the property, if personal, must be present at the sale and actually delivered to the purchaser. (1807, c. 723, P.R.; R.C., c. 45, s. 27; Code, s. 468; Rev., s. 639; C.S., s. 685.)

§ 1‑324. Repealed by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 2.

§ 1‑324.1. Judgment against corporation; property subject to execution.

If a judgment is rendered against a corporation, the plaintiff may sue out such executions against its property as is provided by law to be issued against the property of natural persons, which executions may be levied as well on the current money as on the goods, chattels, lands and tenements of such corporation. (1901, c. 2, s. 66; Rev., s. 1212; C.S., s. 1201; 1955, c. 1371, s. 2.)

§ 1‑324.2. Agent must furnish information as to corporate officers and property.

Every agent or person having charge or control of any property of the corporation, on request of a public officer having for service a writ of execution against it, shall furnish to him the names of the directors and officers thereof, and a schedule of all its property, including debts due or to become due, so far as he has knowledge of the same. (1901, c. 2, s. 67; Rev., s. 1213; C.S., s. 1202; 1955, c. 1371, s. 2.)

§ 1‑324.3. Shares subject to execution; agent must furnish information.

Any share or interest in any bank, insurance company, or other joint stock company, that is or may be incorporated under the authority of this State, or incorporated or established under the authority of the United States, belonging to the defendant in execution, may be taken and sold by virtue of such execution in the same manner as goods and chattels. The clerk, cashier, or other officer of such company who has at the time the custody of the books of the company shall, upon being shown the writ of execution, give to the officer having it a certificate of the number of shares or amount of the interest held by the defendant in the company; and if he neglects or refuses to do so, or if he willfully gives a false certificate, he shall be liable to the plaintiff for the amount due on the execution, with costs. (1901, c. 2, ss. 69, 70; Rev., ss. 1214, 1215; C.S., s. 1203; 1955, c. 1371, s. 2.)

§ 1‑324.4. Debts due corporation subject to execution; duty, etc., of agent.

If an officer holding an execution is unable to find other property belonging to the corporation liable to execution, he or the judgment creditor may elect to satisfy such execution in whole or in part out of any debts due the corporation, and it is the duty of any agent or person having custody of any evidence of such debt to deliver it to the officer, for the use of the creditor and such delivery, with a transfer to the officer in writing, for the use of the creditor and notice to the debtor, shall be a valid assignment thereof, and the creditor may sue for and collect the same in the name of the corporation, subject to such equitable set‑offs on the part of the debtor as in other assignments. Every agent or person who neglects or refuses to comply with the provisions of this section and G.S. 1‑324.2 is liable to pay to the execution creditor the amount due on the execution, with costs. (1901, c. 2, s. 68; Rev., s. 1216; C.S., s. 1204; 1955, c. 1371, s. 2.)

§ 1‑324.5. Violations of three preceding sections misdemeanor.

If any agent or person having charge or control of any property of a corporation, or any clerk, cashier, or other officer of a corporation, who has at the time the custody of the books of the company, or if any agent or person having custody of any evidence of debt due to a corporation, shall, on request of a public officer having in his hands for service an execution against the said corporation, willfully refuse to give to such officer the names of the directors and officers thereof, and a schedule of all its property, including debts due or to become due, or shall willfully refuse to give to such officer a certificate of the number of shares, or amount of interest held by such corporation in any other corporation, or shall willfully refuse to deliver to such officer any evidence of indebtedness due or to become due to such corporation, he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1901, c. 2, ss. 67, 68, 70; Rev., s. 3690; C.S., s. 1205; 1955, c. 1371, s. 2; 1993, c. 539, s. 1; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

§ 1‑324.6. Proceedings when custodian of corporate books is a nonresident.

When the clerk, cashier, or other officer of any corporation incorporated under the laws of this State, who has the custody of the stock‑registry books, is a nonresident of the State, it is the duty of the sheriff receiving a writ of execution issued out of any court of this State against the goods and chattels of a defendant in execution holding stock in such company to send by mail a notice in writing, directed to the nonresident clerk, cashier, or other officer at the post office nearest his reputed place of residence, stating in the notice that he, the sheriff, holds the writ of execution, and out of what court, at whose suit, for what amount, and against whose goods and chattels the writ has been issued, and that by virtue of such writ he seizes and levies upon all the shares of stock of the company held by the defendant in execution on the day of the date of such written notice. It is also the duty of the sheriff on the day of mailing the notice to affix and set upon any office or place of business of such company, within his county, a like notice in writing, and on the same day to serve like notice in writing upon the president and directors of the company, or upon such of them as reside in his county, either personally or by leaving the same at their respective places of abode. The sending, setting up, and serving of such notices in the manner aforesaid constitute a valid levy of the writ upon all shares of stock in such company held by the defendant in execution, which have not at the time of the receipt of the notice by the clerk, cashier, or other officer, who has custody of the stock‑registry books, been actually transferred by the defendant, and thereafter any transfer or sale of such shares by the defendant in execution is void as against the plaintiff in the execution, or any purchaser of such stock at any sale thereunder. (1901, c. 2, s. 71; Rev., s. 1217; C.S., s. 1206; 1955, c. 1371, s. 2.)

§ 1‑324.7. Duty and liability of nonresident custodian.

The nonresident clerk, cashier, or other officer in such corporation, to whom notice in writing is sent as prescribed in G.S. 1‑324.6, shall send forthwith to the officer having the writ, a statement of the time when he received the notice and a certificate of the number of shares held by the defendant in the corporation at the time of the receipt, not actually transferred on the books of the corporation, and the sheriff, or other officer, on receipt by him of this certificate, shall insert the number of shares in the inventory attached to the writ. If the clerk, cashier, or other officer in such corporation neglects to send the certificate as aforesaid or willfully sends a false one, he is liable to the plaintiff for double the amount of damages occasioned by his neglect, or false certificate, to be recovered in an action against him, but the neglect to send, or miscarriage of the certificate, does not impair the validity of the levy upon the stock. (1901, c. 2, s. 72; Rev., s. 1218; C.S., s. 1207; 1955, c. 1371, s. 2.)

Article 29.

Execution and Judicial Sales.

§§ 1‑325 through 1‑328. Repealed by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 2.

§ 1‑329. Transferred to § 1‑339.72 by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 3.

§ 1‑330. Repealed by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 2.

§ 1‑331. Transferred to § 1‑339.73 by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 3.

§ 1‑332. Transferred to § 1‑339.74 by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 3.

§§ 1‑333 through 1‑334. Repealed by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 2.

§ 1‑335. Transferred to § 1‑339.75 by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 3.

§ 1‑336. Repealed by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 2.

§ 1‑337. Transferred to § 1‑339.49 by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 2.

§ 1‑338. Transferred to § 1‑339.50 by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 2.

§ 1‑339. Repealed by Session Laws 1949, c. 719, s. 2.

Article 29A.

Judicial Sales.

Part 1. General Provisions.

§ 1‑339.1. Definitions.

(a) A judicial sale is a sale of property made pursuant to an order of a judge or clerk in an action or proceeding in the superior or district court, including a sale pursuant to an order made in an action in court to foreclose a mortgage or deed of trust, but is not

(1) A sale made pursuant to a power of sale

a. Contained in a mortgage, deed of trust, or conditional sale contract, or

b. Granted by statute with respect to a mortgage, deed of trust, or conditional sale contract, or

(2) A resale ordered with respect to any sale described in subsection (a)(1), where such original sale was not held under a court order, or

(3) An execution sale, or

(4) A sale ordered in a criminal action, or

(5) A tax foreclosure sale, or

(6) A sale made pursuant to Article 15 of Chapter 35A of the General Statutes, relating to sales of estates held by the entireties when one or both spouses are mentally incompetent, or

(7) A sale made in the course of liquidation of a bank pursuant to G.S. 53‑20, or

(8) A sale made in the course of liquidation of an insurance company pursuant to Article 30 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes, or

(8a) A lease, sale, or exchange made pursuant to G.S. 35A‑1251(17) or G.S. 35A‑1252(14), unless any order thereunder requires, or

(9) Any other sale the procedure for which is specially provided by any statute other than this Article.

(b) As hereafter used in this Article, "sale" means a judicial sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 16; 1987, c. 550, s. 12; 1989, c. 473, s. 10; 2003‑221, s. 4.)

§ 1‑339.2. Application of Part 1.

The provisions of Part 1 of this Article apply to both public and private sales except where otherwise indicated. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.3. Application of Article to sale ordered by clerk; by judge; authority to fix procedural details.

(a) The procedure prescribed by this Article applies to all sales ordered by a clerk of the superior court.

(b) The procedure prescribed by this Article applies to all sales ordered by a judge of the superior or district court, except that the judge having jurisdiction may, upon a finding and a recital in the order of sale of the necessity or advisability thereof, vary the procedure from that herein prescribed, but not inconsistently with G.S. 1‑339.6 restricting the place of sale of real property.

(c) The judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction has authority to fix and determine all necessary procedural details with respect to sales in all instances in which this Article fails to make definite provisions as to such procedure. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, ss. 17, 18; 2001‑271, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.3A. Judge or clerk may order public or private sale.

The judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction has authority in his discretion to determine whether a sale of either real or personal property shall be a public or private sale and whether a public sale of timber shall be by auction or by sealed bid. Any private sale conducted under an order issued prior to July 1, 1955 by a judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction is hereby validated as to the order that the sale be a private sale. (1955, c. 74; 1971, c. 268, s. 18; 1997‑83, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.4. Who may hold sale.

An order of sale may authorize the persons designated below to hold the sale:

(1) In any proceeding, a commissioner specially appointed therefor;

(2) In a proceeding to sell property of a decedent, the administrator, executor or collector of such decedent's estate;

(3) In a proceeding to sell property of a minor, the guardian of such minor's estate;

(4) In a proceeding to sell property of an incompetent, the guardian or trustee of such incompetent's estate;

(5) In a proceeding to sell property of an absent or missing person, the administrator, collector, conservator, or guardian of the estate of such absent or missing person;

(6) In a proceeding to foreclose a deed of trust, the trustee named in the deed of trust;

(7) In a receivership proceeding, the receiver;

(8) In a proceeding to sell property of a trust, the trustee.

(9) Repealed by Session Laws 1998‑182, s. 13. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1993, c. 377, s. 2; 1997‑379, s. 1.8; 1998‑182, s. 13.)

§ 1‑339.5. Days on which sale may be held.

A sale may be held on any day except Sunday. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.6. Place of public sale.

(a) Every public sale of real property shall be held in the county where the property is situated unless the property consists of a single tract situated in two or more counties.

(b) A public sale of a single tract of real property situated in two or more counties may be held in any one of the counties in which any part of the tract is situated. For the purposes of this section, a "single tract" means any tract which has a continuous boundary, regardless of whether parts thereof may have been acquired at different times or from different persons, or whether it may have been subdivided into separate units or lots or whether it is sold as a whole or in parts.

(c) A public sale of personal property may be held at any place in the State designated in the order. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.7. Presence of personal property at public sale required.

The person holding a public sale of personal property shall have the property present at the place of sale unless the order of sale provides otherwise as authorized by G.S. 1‑339.13(c). (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.8. Public sale of separate tracts in different counties.

(a) When an order of public sale directs the sales of separate tracts of real property situated in different counties, exclusive jurisdiction over the sale remains in the superior or district court of the county where the proceeding, in which the order of sale was issued, is pending, but there shall be a separate advertisement, sale and report of sale with respect to the property in each county. In any such sale proceeding, the clerk of the superior court of the county where the original order of sale was issued has jurisdiction with respect to upset bids submitted for separate tracts of property situated in other counties as well as in the clerk's own county. When the public sale is by auction an upset bid may be filed only with that clerk.

(b) The report of sale with respect to all sales of separate tracts situated in different counties shall be filed with the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the order of sale was issued, and is not required to be filed in any other county.

(c) When the public sale is by auction, the sale of each separate tract shall be subject to separate upset bids. To the extent deemed necessary by the judge or clerk of court of the county where the original order of sale was issued, the sale of each tract shall be treated as a separate sale.

(d) When real property is sold in a county other than the county where the proceeding, in which the sale was ordered, is pending, the person authorized to hold the sale shall cause a certified copy of the order of confirmation to be recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county where such property is situated, and it shall not be necessary for the clerk of court to probate said certified copy of the order of confirmation. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1965, c. 805; 1971, c. 268, ss. 18, 19; 1997‑83, ss. 2, 3; 2001‑271, s. 2.)

§ 1‑339.9. Sale as a whole or in parts.

(a) When real property to be sold consists of separate lots or other units or when personal property consists of more than one article, the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction may direct specifically

(1) That it be sold as a whole, or

(2) That it be sold in designated parts, or

(3) That it be offered for sale by each method, and then sold by the method which produces the highest price.

(b) When real property to be sold has not been subdivided but is of such nature that it may be advantageously subdivided for sale, the judge or clerk having jurisdiction may authorize the subdivision thereof and the dedication to the public of such portions thereof as are necessary or advisable for public highways, streets, alleys, or other public purposes.

(c) When an order of sale of such real or personal property as is described in subsection (a) of this section makes no specific provision for the sale of the property as a whole or in parts, the person authorized to make the sale has authority in his discretion to sell the property by whichever method described in subsection (a) of this section he deems most advantageous. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18.)

§ 1‑339.10. Bond of person holding sale.

(a) Whenever a commissioner specially appointed or a trustee in a deed of trust is ordered to sell property, the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction

(1) May in any case require the commissioner or trustee, before receiving the proceeds of the sale, to furnish bond to cover such proceeds, and

(2) Shall require the commissioner or trustee to furnish such bond when the commissioner or trustee is to hold the proceeds of the sale other than for immediate disbursement upon confirmation of the sale.

(b) Whenever any administrator or collector of a decedent's estate, or guardian or trustee of a minor's or incompetent's estate, or administrator, collector, conservator or guardian of an absent or missing person's estate, is ordered to sell property, the judge or clerk having jurisdiction shall require such fiduciary, before receiving the proceeds of the sale, to furnish bond or to increase his then existing bond, to cover such proceeds.

(c) Whenever an executor or trustee of a testamentary trust is ordered to sell real property, the judge or clerk having jurisdiction shall require such executor or trustee of a testamentary trust, before receiving the proceeds of the sale, to furnish bond to cover such proceeds, unless the will provides otherwise, in which case the judge or clerk may require such bond.

(d) Whenever a receiver is ordered to sell real property, the judge having jurisdiction may, when he deems it advisable, require the receiver to furnish bond, or to increase his then existing bond, to cover such proceeds.

(e) The bond required by this section need not be furnished when the property is to be sold by a duly authorized trust company acting as commissioner or fiduciary.

(f) The bond shall be executed by one or more sureties and shall be subject to the approval of the judge or clerk having jurisdiction.

(g) If the bond is to be executed by personal sureties, the amount of the bond shall be double the amount of the proceeds of the sale to be received by the commissioner or fiduciary, if such amount can be determined in advance, and, if not, such amount as the judge or clerk may determine to be approximately double the amount of the proceeds to be received. If the bond is to be executed by a duly authorized surety company, the amount of the bond shall be one and one‑fourth times the amount of the proceeds determined as set out in this subsection.

(h) The bonds shall be payable to the State of North Carolina for the use of the parties in interest. A bond furnished by a commissioner or by a trustee in a deed of trust shall be conditioned that the principal in the bond shall comply with the orders of the court made in the proceeding with respect to the funds received and shall properly account for the proceeds of the sale received by him. A bond furnished by any other fiduciary shall be conditioned as required by law for the original bond required, or which might have been required, of such fiduciary at the time of his qualification.

(i) The premium on any bond furnished pursuant to this section is a part of the costs of the proceeding, to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18; 1993, c. 377, s. 3.)

§ 1‑339.11. Compensation of person holding sale.

(a) If the person holding a sale is a commissioner specially appointed or a trustee in a deed of trust, the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction shall fix the amount of his compensation and order the payment thereof out of the proceeds of the sale.

(b) If the person holding a sale is any other person, the judge or clerk may, but is not required to, fix his compensation and order the payment thereof out of the proceeds of the sale; when compensation is not fixed in this manner, compensation may be fixed and paid in the usual manner provided with respect to such fiduciary for receiving and disbursing funds. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18.)

§ 1‑339.12. Clerk's authority to compel report or accounting; contempt proceeding.

Whenever any person fails to file any report or account, as provided by this Article, or files an incorrect or incomplete report or account, the clerk of the superior court, having jurisdiction, on his own motion or on motion of any interested party, may issue an order directing such person to file a correct and complete report or account within twenty days after service of the order on him. If such person fails to comply with the order, the clerk may issue an attachment against him for contempt, and may commit him to jail until he files such correct and complete report or account. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

Part 2. Procedure for Public Sales of Real and Personal Property.

§ 1‑339.13. Public sale; order of sale.

(a) Whenever a public sale is ordered, the order of sale shall

(1) Designate the person authorized to hold the sale;

(2) Direct that the property be sold at public auction to the highest bidder or, in the case of a sale of timber, direct that the timber be sold to the highest bidder and specify whether the sale is to be by public auction or by sealed bid;

(3) Describe real property to be sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficiently to identify it;

(4) Describe personal property to be sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficiently to indicate its nature and quantity;

(5) Designate, consistently with G.S. 1‑339.6, the county and the place therein at which the sale is to be held;

(6) Prescribe the terms of sale, specifying the amount of the cash deposit, if any, to be made by the highest bidder at the sale; and

(7) If the sale is to be a sale of timber by sealed bid, specify:

a. The minimum number of bids that must be submitted, which shall not be less than three, and

b. The time at which any cash deposit required of the highest bidder must be made, which shall not be more than three business days after the date on which the sealed bids are opened.

(b) The order of public sale may also, but is not required to

(1) State the method by which the property shall be sold, pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.9;

(2) Direct any posting of the notice of sale or any advertisement of the sale, in addition to that required by G.S. 1‑339.17 in the case of real property or G.S. 1‑339.18 in the case of personal property, which the judge or clerk of the superior court deems advantageous; and

(3) Specify the number of appraisals to be obtained pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.13A.

(c) The order of public sale may provide that personal property need not be present at the place of sale when the nature, condition or use of the property is such that the judge or clerk ordering the sale deems it impractical or inadvisable to require the presence of the property at the sale. In such event, the order shall provide that reasonable opportunity be afforded prospective bidders to inspect the property prior to the sale, and that notice as to the time and place for inspection shall be set out in the notice of sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1997‑83, ss. 4, 5.)

§ 1‑339.13A. Public sale of timber by sealed bid; appraisal; bid procedure.

(a) When a sale of timber by sealed bid is ordered, the person holding the sale, before giving notice of the sale, shall:

(1) Obtain one or more appraisals of the timber to be sold;

(2) Determine the place at which and the manner and form in which sealed bids should be submitted;

(3) Determine the first date on which sealed bids will be accepted, which shall not be less than five days after the date on which the notice of sale is first published pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.17; and

(4) Determine the date, time, and place at which sealed bids will be opened.

(b) Each appraisal obtained pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be made by a registered professional forester or other person qualified by training and experience to appraise the timber to be sold. Copies of all appraisals obtained pursuant to this section shall be included in the report required under G.S. 1‑339.24. A person conducting an appraisal pursuant to this section, including a partnership, corporation, company, or other business of the appraiser, may not submit a bid on the timber which is the subject of the appraisal. An appraisal conducted pursuant to this section shall remain confidential until the appraisal is filed with the report of sale pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.24. The contents of the appraisal shall not be divulged by the appraiser to any person other than the person holding the sale nor may the appraiser conduct an appraisal of the timber for any other person until after the sale is confirmed.

(c) All sealed bids received on or after the first date set for submitting bids and, at or before the time set for opening the bids, shall be opened publicly at that time at the place set for doing so. If the minimum number of bids is received and there is only one highest bid, that bid shall be announced at that time; the highest bidder is the purchaser, and all bidders shall immediately be notified of that fact. If the minimum number of bids is not received, or if two or more bids in the same amount are the highest bids, that fact shall be announced at that time, and all bidders shall immediately be notified of that fact; the person holding the sale shall then obtain a new order of sale. (1997‑83, s. 6.)

§ 1‑339.14. Public sale; judge's approval of clerk's order of sale.

An order of public sale of personal property in which a minor or incompetent has an interest, which is made by a clerk of the superior court, shall not be effective, except in the case of perishable property as provided by G.S. 1‑339.19, unless and until such order is approved by the resident judge or the judge regularly holding the courts of the district. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.15. Public sale; contents of notice of sale.

The notice of public sale shall:

(1) Refer to the order authorizing the sale;

(2) If the sale is to be by public auction, designate the date, hour and place of sale;

(2a) If the sale is to be a sale of timber by sealed bid, specify:

a. The date on which sealed bids will first be accepted;

b. The place or address at which sealed bids are to be submitted;

c. The manner and form in which sealed bids are to be submitted;

d. The time and place at which any sealed bids received will be opened; and

e. The minimum number of bids required, as determined pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.13(a)(7);

(3) Describe real property to be sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficiently to identify it, and may add any further description as will acquaint bidders with the nature and location of the property;

(4) Describe personal property to be sold sufficiently to indicate its nature and quantity, and may add any further description as will acquaint bidders with the nature of the property;

(5) State the terms of the sale, specifying the amount of the cash deposit, if any, to be made by the highest bidder at the sale and, in the case of a sale by sealed bid, the date by which any deposit shall be made, as determined pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.13(a)(7); and

(6) Include any other provisions required by the order of sale to be included therein. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1997‑83, s. 7.)

§ 1‑339.16. Public sale; time for beginning advertisement.

An order of sale may provide for the beginning of the advertisement of sale at any time after the order is issued. If the order does not specify such time, the advertisement may be begun at any time after the order is issued. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.17. Public sale; posting and publishing notice of sale of real property.

(a) Subject to subsection (d) of this section, notice of public sale of real property shall:

(1) Be posted, in the area designated by the clerk of superior court for the posting of notices in the county in which the property is situated, for at least 20 days immediately preceding the sale; and

(2) Be published once a week for at least two successive weeks:

a. In a newspaper qualified for legal advertising published in the county; or

b. If no newspaper qualified for legal advertising is published in the county, in a newspaper having general circulation in the county.

(b) When the notice of public sale is published in a newspaper:

(1) The period from the date of the first publication to the date of the last publication, both dates inclusive, shall not be less than seven days, including Sundays; and

(2) The date of the last publication shall be not more than 10 days preceding the date of the sale in a sale by auction or the date on which sealed bids are opened in a sale by sealed bid.

(c) When the real property to be sold is situated in more than one county, the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall be complied with in each county in which any part of the property is situated.

(c1) When the public sale is a sale of timber by sealed bid, the notice shall also be given in writing, not less than 21 days before the date on which bids are opened, to a reasonable number of prospective timber buyers, which in all cases shall include the timber buyers listed in the office of the Division of Forest Resources for the county or counties in which the timber to be sold is located.

(d) In addition to the other requirements of this section, the notice of public sale shall be posted or the sale shall be advertised as may be required by the judge or clerk pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 1‑339.13(b)(2).

(e) If the sale is a sale of timber by sealed bid, the person holding the sale shall include in the report required by G.S. 1‑339.24 an affidavit showing that the requirements of this section have been complied with and listing all the persons notified pursuant to subsection (c1) of this section. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1965, c. 41; 1967, c. 979, s. 1; 1997‑83, s. 8; 2001‑271, s. 3.)

§ 1‑339.18. Public sale; posting notice of sale of personal property.

(a) The notice of public sale of personal property, except in the case of perishable property as provided by G.S. 1‑339.19, shall be posted, in the area designated by the clerk of superior court for the posting of notices, in the county in which the sale is to be held, for ten days immediately preceding the date of sale.

(b) In addition to the foregoing, the notice of public sale shall be otherwise advertised as may be required by the judge or clerk of court pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 1‑339.13(b)(2). (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18; 1997‑83, s. 9.)

§ 1‑339.19. Public sale; exception; perishable property.

If personal property to be sold at public sale is determined by the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction to be perishable property because subject to rapid deterioration, he may order the sale thereof to be held at such time and place and upon such notice to be given in such manner and for such length of time as he deems advisable. The order of sale of such perishable property of a minor or incompetent when made by the clerk need not be approved by the judge. Confirmation of any sale of such perishable property is not necessary unless required by the order of sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18.)

§ 1‑339.20. Public sale; postponement of sale.

(a) A person authorized to hold a public sale by auction may postpone the sale to a day certain not later than six days, exclusive of Sunday, after the original date for the sale, and a person authorized to hold a public sale of timber by sealed bid may postpone the time for submitting and opening bids to a date, time, and place certain not later than six days, exclusive of Sunday, after the original date for the opening of bids:

(1) When there are no bidders, or

(2) When, in his judgment, the number of prospective bidders at the sale is substantially decreased by inclement weather or by any casualty, or

(3) When there are so many other sales advertised to be held at the same time and place as to make it inexpedient and impracticable, in his judgment, to hold the sale on that day, or

(4) When he is unable to hold the sale because of illness or for other good reason, or

(5) When other good cause exists.

(b) Upon postponement of public sale the person authorized to hold the sale shall personally, or through his agent or attorney

(1) At the time and place advertised for the sale or for the opening of sealed bids, publicly announce the postponement thereof;

(2) On the same day, attach to or enter on the original notice of sale or a copy thereof posted, as provided in G.S. 1‑339.17 in the case of real property or G.S. 1‑339.18 in the case of personal property, a notice of the postponement; and

(3) In the case of a public sale of timber by sealed bid, give notice of postponement to each person who submitted a bid.

(1) State that the sale is postponed,

(2) In the case of a sale by public auction, state the hour and date to which the sale is postponed,

(2a) In the case of a sale of timber by sealed bid, state the date, time, and place to which the opening of bids is postponed,

(3) State the reason for the postponement, and

(4) Be signed by the person authorized to hold the sale, or by his agent or attorney.

(d) If a public sale is not held at the time fixed therefor and is not postponed as provided by this section, or if a postponed sale is not held at the time fixed therefor, the person authorized to make the sale shall report the facts with respect thereto to the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction, who shall thereupon make an order for the public sale of the property to be held at such time and place and upon such notice to be given in such manner and for such length of time as he deems advisable. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18; 1997‑83, ss. 10‑12.)

§ 1‑339.21. Public sale by auction; time of sale.

(a) A public sale by auction shall begin at the time designated in the notice of sale or as soon thereafter as practicable, but not later than one hour after the time fixed therefor unless it is delayed by other sales held at the same place.

(b) No public sale by auction shall commence before 10:00 o'clock A.M. or after 4:00 o'clock P.M.

(c) No public sale by auction shall continue after 4:00 o'clock P.M., except that in cities or towns of more than 5,000 inhabitants, as shown by the most recent federal census, sales of personal property may continue until 10:00 o'clock P.M. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1997‑83, s. 13.)

§ 1‑339.22. Public sale by auction; continuance of uncompleted sale.

A public sale by auction commenced but not completed within the time allowed by G.S. 1‑339.21 shall be continued by the person holding the sale to a designated time between 10:00 o'clock A.M. and 4:00 o'clock P.M. the next following day, other than Sunday. In case a continuance becomes necessary, the person holding the sale shall publicly announce the time to which the sale is continued. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1997‑83, s. 14.)

§ 1‑339.23. Public sale; when confirmation of sale of personal property necessary; delivery of property; bill of sale.

(a) When any person interested as a creditor, legatee, distributee, or otherwise, in the proceeds of a public sale of personal property, objects at the sale to the completion of the sale of any article of property on account of the insufficiency of the amount bid, title to such property shall not pass and possession of the property shall not be delivered until the sale of such property is reported and is confirmed by the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction; but such objection to the completion of the sale of any article of property shall not prevent the completion of the sales of articles of property to which no objection is made where the same have been separately sold. When a judge or clerk having jurisdiction fails or refuses to confirm a sale of property which has thus been objected to, the procedure for a new sale of such property, including a new order of sale, shall be the same as if no such attempted sale has been held. This subsection shall not apply to perishable property sold pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.19.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (a), the person holding a public sale of personal property shall deliver the property to the purchaser immediately upon compliance by the purchaser with the terms of the sale.

(c) The person holding a public sale may execute and deliver a bill of sale or other muniment of title for any personal property sold, and, upon application of the purchaser, shall do so when required by the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18.)

§ 1‑339.24. Public sale; report of sale; when final as to personal property.

(a) The person holding a public sale shall, within five days after the date of the sale if the sale was by auction, or within five days after the date on which bids were opened if the sale was a sale of timber by sealed bid, file a report thereof with the clerk of the superior court of the county where the proceeding for the sale is pending.

(b) The report shall be signed by the person authorized to hold the sale, or by his agent or attorney and shall show

(1) The title of the action or proceeding;

(2) The authority under which the person making the sale acted;

(3) If the sale was by public auction, the date, hour and place of the sale;

(3a) If the sale was a sale of timber by sealed bid, the date, time, and place at which the sealed bids were opened, the number of bids received, and the amount of each bid;

(4) A description of real property sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficient to identify it, and, if sold in parts, a description of each part so sold; and

(5) A description of personal property sold, sufficient to indicate the nature and quantity of the property sold to each purchaser;

(6) The names of the purchasers;

(7) The price at which the property, or each part thereof, was sold and that this price was the highest bid therefor; and

(8) The date of the report.

(c) The report of sale of personal property, when confirmation of the sale is not required, may include such additional information as is required by G.S. 1‑339.31 or G.S. 1‑339.32, whichever is applicable, and when such additional information is included, the report shall constitute the final report of sale of personal property. If the report does not include the additional information required by G.S. 1‑339.31 or G.S. 1‑339.32, the final report required by those sections shall be subsequently filed.

(d) The report of a sale of timber by sealed bid shall include the information required by G.S. 1‑339.13A(b) and G.S. 1‑339.17(c1). (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1997‑83, ss. 15‑17.)

§ 1‑339.25. Public sale; upset bid on real property; compliance bond.

(a) An upset bid is an advanced, increased, or raised bid in a public sale by auction whereby a person offers to purchase real property theretofore sold for an amount exceeding the reported sale price or the last upset bid by a minimum of five percent (5%) thereof, but in any event with a minimum increase of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00). Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, an upset bid shall be made by delivering to the clerk of superior court, with whom the report of the sale or the last notice of upset bid was filed, a deposit in cash or by certified check or cashier's check satisfactory to the clerk in an amount greater than or equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of the upset bid but in no event less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00). The deposit required by this section shall be filed with the clerk of the superior court with whom the report of sale or the last notice of upset bid was filed, by the close of normal business hours on the tenth day after the filing of the report of sale or the last notice of upset bid, and if the tenth day falls upon a Sunday or legal holiday when the courthouse is closed for transactions, or upon a day in which the office of the clerk is not open for the regular dispatch of its business, the deposit may be made and the notice of upset bid may be filed on the day following when the office is open for the regular dispatch of its business. Except as provided in G.S. 1‑339.27A and G.S. 1‑339.30, there shall be no resales; however, there may be successive upset bids, each of which shall be followed by a period of 10 days for a further upset bid. If a timely motion for resale is filed under G.S. 1‑339.27A, no upset bids may be filed while the motion is pending.

(b) The clerk of the superior court may require an upset bidder or the highest bidder at a resale held under G.S. 1‑339.30 also to deposit with the clerk a cash bond, or, in lieu thereof at the option of the bidder, a surety bond, approved by the clerk. The compliance bond shall be in the amount the clerk deems adequate, but in no case greater than the amount of the bid of the person being required to furnish the bond, less the amount of any required deposit. The compliance bond shall be payable to the State of North Carolina for the use of the parties in interest and shall be conditioned on the principal obligor's compliance with the bid.

(d) Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑271, s. 4, effective January 1, 2002. See editor's note for applicability.

(d1) At the time that an upset bid on real property is submitted to the court as provided in subsection (a) of this section, together with a compliance bond if one is required, the upset bidder shall file with the clerk a notice of upset bid. The notice of upset bid shall:

(1) State the name, address, and telephone number of the upset bidder;

(2) Specify the amount of the upset bid;

(3) Provide that the sale shall remain open for a period of 10 days after the date on which the notice of upset bid is filed for the filing of additional upset bids as permitted by law; and

(4) Be signed by the upset bidder or the attorney or the agent of the upset bidder.

(d2) When an upset bid is made as provided in this section, the clerk shall notify the person holding the sale who shall thereafter mail a written notice of upset bid by first‑class mail to the last known address of the last prior bidder and the current record owners of the property.

(d3) When an upset bid is made as provided in this section, the last prior bidder, regardless of how the bid was made, is released from any further obligation on account of the bid, and any deposit or bond provided by the last prior bidder shall be released.

(d4) Any person offering to purchase real property by upset bid as permitted in this Article is subject to and bound by the terms of the original notice of sale except as modified by court order or the provisions of this Article.

(d5) The clerk of superior court shall make all orders as may be just and necessary to safeguard the interests of all parties and may fix and determine all necessary procedural details with respect to upset bids in all instances in which this Article fails to make definite provisions as to that procedure.

(e) The provisions of this section do not apply to public sales of timber by sealed bid. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1963, c. 858; 1967, c. 979, s. 1; 1997‑83, ss. 18, 19; 1997‑119, s. 1; 1997‑456, s. 28; 2001‑271, s. 4; 2002‑28, s. 1; 2003‑337, s. 8.)

§ 1‑339.26. Public sale by auction; separate upset bids when real property sold in parts; subsequent procedure.

When real property is sold at public sale by auction in parts, as provided by G.S. 1‑339.9, the sale of any part shall be subject to a separate upset bid; and, to the extent the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction deems advisable, the sale of each part shall thereafter be treated as a separate sale for the purpose of determining the applicable procedure. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18; 1997‑83, s. 20; 2001‑271, s. 5.)

§ 1‑339.27: Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑271, s. 6.

§ 1‑339.27A. Ordering resale of real property after sale or upset bid.

Upon motion of an interested person filed within 10 days after a sale or upset bid and for good cause, the judge or clerk having jurisdiction may order a resale of real property. If the motion is granted based on the inadequacy of the last bid, the procedure for the resale is the same in every respect as is provided by this Article in the case of an original public sale, and the last bidder is released from the bidder's obligations under the bid. If the motion is granted for any other reason, the last bid becomes the opening bid at resale, and if there is no bid at resale other than the last bid, the person who made the last bid is the highest bidder at resale. If the motion is denied, the 10‑day period for subsequent upset bids begins upon the entry of the order. (2001‑271, s. 7.)

§ 1‑339.28. Public sale; confirmation of sale.

(a) No public sale of real property may be consummated until confirmed as follows:

(1) If a public sale is ordered by a judge of the Superior Court Division, it may thereafter be confirmed by a resident superior court judge of the district or a superior court judge regularly holding the courts of the district.

(2) If a public sale is ordered by a judge of the District Court Division, it may thereafter be confirmed by the judge so ordering, the chief district judge, or any district judge authorized by the chief judge to hear motions and enter interlocutory orders.

(3) If a public sale is ordered by a clerk of court, it may thereafter be confirmed by the clerk of court so ordering.

(b) No public sale of real property of a minor or incompetent originally ordered by a clerk may be consummated until confirmed both by the clerk and by a resident superior court judge of, or a judge regularly holding the courts of, the district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A‑41.1(a).

(c) No public sale of real property sold at public auction may be confirmed until the time for submitting an upset bid, pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.25, has expired.

(d) Confirmation of the public sale of personal property is necessary only in the case set out in G.S. 1‑339.23(a), or when the order of sale provides for such confirmation.

(e) No public sale of timber sold by sealed bid shall be confirmed until the court determines that the highest bid is an adequate price for the timber sold and that sale to the highest bidder is in the best interest of the person or estate for whom the timber is being sold. In so doing, the court may consider any of the following factors:

(1) The appraisals obtained by the person who conducted the sale;

(2) The number and amounts of the other bids received;

(3) Comparable sales of similar timber within the relevant time period;

(4) Short‑term market factors that depressed the price at the time of the sale;

(5) The likelihood of significantly increasing the price through another sale;

(6) The additional cost of conducting another sale;

(7) The effect on the person or estate for whom the timber is being sold of the delay that would result from conducting another sale; and

(8) Any other factors in evidence that the court considers relevant. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 20; 1997‑83, ss. 26‑28.)

§ 1‑339.29. Public sale; real property; deed; order for possession.

(a) Upon confirmation of a public sale of real property, the person authorized to hold the sale, or such other person as may be designated by the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction, shall prepare and tender to the purchaser a duly executed deed for the property sold and, upon compliance by the purchaser with the terms of sale, shall deliver the deed to the purchaser.

(b) A person executing a deed to real property being conveyed pursuant to a public sale may recite in the deed, in addition to the usual provisions, substantially as follows

(1) The authority for making the sale,

(2) The title of the action or proceeding in which the sale was had,

(3) The name of the person authorized to make the sale,

(4) The fact that the sale was duly advertised,

(5) The date of the sale,

(6) The name of the highest bidder and the price bid,

(7) That the sale has been confirmed,

(8) That the terms of the sale have been complied with, and

(9) That the person executing the deed has been authorized to execute it.

(c) The judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction of the proceeding in which the property is sold may grant an order for possession of real property so sold and conveyed, as against all persons in possession who are parties to the proceeding.

(d) An order for possession granted pursuant to the preceding subsection shall be directed to the sheriff, shall authorize him to remove the party or parties in possession, and their personal property, from the premises and to put the purchaser in possession, and shall be executed in accordance with the procedure for executing a writ or order for possession in a summary ejectment proceeding under G.S. 42‑36.2. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18; 1987, c. 627, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.30. Public sale; failure of bidder to make cash deposit or to comply with bid; resale.

(a) If an order of public sale by auction requires the highest bidder to make a cash deposit at the sale, and the highest bidder fails to make the required deposit, the person holding the sale shall at the same time and place again offer the property for sale.

(a1) If an order of public sale of timber by sealed bid requires the highest bidder to make a cash deposit and the bidder fails to make the required deposit within the time specified in the order, the judge or clerk having jurisdiction may direct that the timber be sold to the person who submitted the next highest bid or may order a resale. The procedure for a resale is the same in every respect as is provided by this Article in the case of an original public sale.

(b) When the highest bidder at a public sale of personal property not required to be confirmed fails to make the cash payment, if any, required by the terms of the sale, the person holding the sale shall at the same time and place again offer the property for sale. In the event no other bid is received, a new sale may be advertised in the regular manner provided by this Article for an original sale.

(c) When the highest bidder at a public sale of personal property required to be confirmed fails to comply with his bid within 10 days after notice given by the person holding the sale or after a bona fide attempt to give such notice that the sale has been confirmed, the judge or clerk having jurisdiction may order a resale. The procedure for the resale is the same in every respect as is provided by this Article in the case of an original public sale of personal property.

(d) When the highest bidder at a public sale or resale of real property by auction or any upset bidder fails to comply with the bid within 10 days after the tender to the bidder of a deed for the property or after a bona fide attempt to tender the deed, the judge or clerk having jurisdiction may order a resale. The procedure for a resale of real property is the same in every respect as is provided by this Article in the case of an original public sale of real property.

(d1) When the highest bidder at a public sale or resale of timber by sealed bid fails to comply with the bid within 10 days after the tender to the bidder of a deed for the timber or after a bona fide attempt to tender a timber deed, the judge or clerk having jurisdiction may direct that the timber be sold to the person who submitted the next highest bid or may order a resale. The procedure for a resale is the same in every respect as is provided by this Article in the case of an original public sale.

(e) A defaulting bidder at any sale or resale or any defaulting upset bidder is liable on the bid, and in case a resale is had because of the default, the defaulting bidder remains liable to the extent that the final sale price is less than the bid, and for all costs of the resale or resales. Any deposit or compliance bond made by the defaulting bidder shall secure payment of the amount, if any, for which the defaulting bidder remains liable under this section.

(f) Nothing in this section deprives any person of any other remedy against the defaulting bidder. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1997‑83, ss. 29‑33; 2001‑271, s. 8.)

§ 1‑339.31. Public sale; report of commissioner or trustee in deed of trust.

(a) A commissioner or a trustee in a deed of trust, authorized pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.4 to hold a public sale of property, shall, in addition to all other reports required by this Article, file with the clerk of the superior court an account of his receipts and disbursements as follows:

(1) When the sale is for cash, a final report shall be filed within thirty days after receipt of the proceeds of the sale;

(2) When the sale is wholly or partly on time and the commissioner or trustee is not required to collect deferred payments, a final report shall be filed within thirty days after receipt of the cash payment, if any is required, and the receipt of all securities for the purchase price;

(3) When the commissioner or trustee is required to collect deferred payments,

a. He shall file a preliminary report within thirty days after receipt of the cash payment, if any is required, and the receipt of all securities for the purchase price, and

b. If the period of time during which he is required to collect deferred payments extends over more than one year, he shall file an annual report of his receipts and disbursements, and

c. After collecting all deferred payments, he shall file a final report.

(b) The clerk shall audit and record the reports and accounts required to be filed pursuant to this section. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.32. Public sale; final report of person, other than commissioner or trustee in deed of trust.

An administrator, executor or collector of a decedent's estate, or a receiver, or a guardian or trustee of a minor's or incompetent's estate, or an administrator, collector, conservator or guardian of an absent or missing person's estate, is not required to file a special account of his receipts and disbursements for property sold at public sale pursuant to this Article unless so directed by the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction of the sale proceeding, but shall include in his next following account or report, either annual or final, an account of such receipts and disbursements. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18.)

Part 3. Procedure for Private Sales of Real and Personal Property.

§ 1‑339.33. Private sale; order of sale.

Whenever a private sale is ordered, the order of sale shall

(1) Designate the person authorized to make the sale;

(2) Describe real property to be sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficiently to identify it;

(3) Describe personal property to be sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficiently to indicate its nature and quantity; and

(4) Prescribe such terms of sale as the judge or clerk of court ordering the sale deems advisable. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18.)

§ 1‑339.34. Private sale; exception; certain personal property.

(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Article, property described below may be sold at private sale at the current market price after first obtaining an order of sale:

(1) Property consisting of stocks, bonds or other securities the current market value of which is established by sales on any stock or securities exchange supervised or regulated by the United States government or any other of its agencies or departments, or

(2) Property consisting of stocks, bonds or other securities which are not sold on any stock or securities exchange supervised or regulated by the United States government or any other of its agencies or departments, but which are found by the judge or clerk having jurisdiction to have a known or readily ascertainable market value, or

(3) Property consisting of cattle, hogs, or other livestock, or cotton, corn, tobacco, peanuts or other farm commodities or produce, found by the judge or clerk having jurisdiction to have a known or readily ascertainable market value.

(b) Property determined by the judge or clerk having jurisdiction to be perishable property because subject to rapid deterioration may be sold at private sale after first obtaining an order of sale.

(c) Any sale made pursuant to this section is not subject to an upset bid, and is not required to be confirmed, but such sale is final. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.35. Private sale; report of sale.

(a) The person holding a private sale shall, within five days after the date of the sale, file a report with the clerk of the superior court of the county where the proceeding for the sale is pending.

(b) The report shall be signed and shall show

(1) The title of the action or proceeding;

(2) The authority under which the person making the sale acted;

(3) A description of real property sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficient to identify it, and, if sold in parts, a description of each part so sold;

(4) A description of personal property sold, sufficient to indicate the nature and quantity of the property sold to each purchaser;

(5) The name or names of the person or persons to whom the property was sold;

(6) The price at which the property, or each part thereof, was sold, and the terms of the sale; and

(7) The date of the report. (1947, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.36. Private sale; upset bid; subsequent procedure.

(a) Every private sale of real or personal property, except a sale of personal property as provided by G.S. 1‑339.34, is subject to an upset bid on the same conditions and in the same manner as is provided by G.S. 1‑339.25.

(b) When an upset bid is made for property sold at private sale, subsequent procedure with respect to the upset bid is the same as for upset bids submitted in connection with real property sold at public sale, except that the notice of any resale of personal property held pursuant to an order granted under G.S. 1‑339.27A need not be published in a newspaper but shall be posted as provided by G.S. 1‑339.17. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 2001‑271, s. 9.)

§ 1‑339.37. Private sale; confirmation.

If no upset bid for property sold at private sale is submitted within 10 days after the report of sale or the last notice of upset bid is filed, the sale may then be confirmed, and the provisions of G.S. 1‑339.28(a) and (b) are applicable to such confirmation whether the property sold is real or personal. Unless otherwise provided in the order of sale, no confirmation is required of any sale held as provided by G.S. 1‑339.34. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 2001‑271, s. 10.)

§ 1‑339.38. Private sale; real property; deed; order for possession.

(a) Upon confirmation of a private sale of real property, the person authorized to hold the sale, or such other person as may be designated by the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction, shall prepare and tender to the purchaser a duly executed deed for the property sold and, upon compliance by the purchaser with the terms of the sale, shall deliver the deed to the purchaser.

(b) The judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction of the proceeding in which the property is sold may grant an order for possession of real property so sold and conveyed, as against all persons in possession who are parties to the proceeding. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18.)

§ 1‑339.39. Private sale; personal property; delivery; bill of sale.

Upon compliance by the purchaser with the terms of a private sale of personal property, and upon confirmation of the sale when confirmation is required by G.S. 1‑339.37, the person authorized to hold the sale, or such other person as may be designated by the judge or clerk of court having jurisdiction, shall deliver the property to the purchaser, and may execute and deliver a bill of sale or other muniment of title, and, upon application of the purchaser, shall do so when required by the judge or clerk having jurisdiction. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 18.)

§ 1‑339.40. Private sale; final report.

(a) A commissioner or a trustee in a deed of trust authorized pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.4 to hold a private sale of property shall make such a final report as is specified in G.S. 1‑339.31.

(b) Any other person authorized pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.4 to hold a private sale of property shall make such a final report as is specified in G.S. 1‑339.32. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

Article 29B.

Execution Sales.

Part 1. General Provisions.

§ 1‑339.41. Definitions.

(a) An execution sale is a sale of property by a sheriff or other officer made pursuant to an execution.

(b) As used in this article,

(1) "Sale" means an execution sale;

(2) "Sheriff" means a sheriff or any officer authorized to hold an execution sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.42. Clerk's authority to fix procedural details.

The clerk of the superior court who issues an execution has authority to fix and determine all necessary procedural details with respect to sales in all instances in which this Article fails to make definite provisions as to such procedure. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.43. Days on which sale may be held.

A sale may be held on any day except Sunday. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.44. Place of sale.

(a) Every sale of real property shall be held at the courthouse door in the county where the property is situated unless the property consists of a single tract situated in two or more counties.

(b) A sale of a single tract of real property situated in two or more counties may be held at the courthouse door in any one of the counties in which any part of the tract is situated, but no sheriff shall hold any sale outside his own county. As used in this section, a "single tract" means any tract which has a continuous boundary, regardless of whether parts thereof may have been acquired at different times or from different persons or whether it may have been subdivided into other units or lots, or whether it is sold as a whole or in parts.

(c) A sale of personal property may be held at any place in his county designated by the sheriff in the notice of sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.45. Presence of personal property at sale required.

A sheriff holding a sale of personal property shall have the property present at the place of sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.46. Sale as a whole or in parts.

When real property to be sold consists of separate lots or other units or when personal property consists of more than one article, the sheriff may sell such real or personal property as a whole or in designated parts, or may offer the property for sale by each method, and then sell the property by the method which produces the highest price; but regardless of which method is followed, the sheriff shall not sell more property than is reasonably necessary to satisfy the judgment together with the costs of the execution and the sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.47. Sale to be made for cash.

Every sale shall be made for cash. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.48. Life of execution.

If an execution is issued on a judgment, within the time provided by G.S. 1‑306, and a sale, by authority of that execution, is commenced within the time provided by G.S. 1‑310, the sale, including any resale, may be had and completed even though such sales, resales or other procedure are had after the time when the execution is required to be returned by G.S. 1‑310, or after the time within which an execution could be issued with respect to such judgment pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 1‑306. For the purpose of this section, a sale is commenced when the notice of sale is first published in the case of real property as required by G.S. 1‑339.52, or first posted in the case of personal property as required by G.S. 1‑339.53. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.49. Penalty for selling contrary to law.

A sheriff or other officer who makes any sale contrary to the true intent and meaning of this Article shall forfeit two hundred dollars to any person suing for it, one half for his own use and the other half to the use of the county where the offense is committed. (1820, c. 1066, s. 2, P.R.; 1822, c. 1153, s. 3, P.R.; R.C., c. 45, s. 18; Code, s. 461; Rev., s. 649; C.S., s. 696; 1949, c. 719, s. 2.)

§ 1‑339.50. Officer's return of no sale for want of bidders; penalty.

When a sheriff or other officer returns upon an execution that he has made no sale for want of bidders, he must state in his return the several places he has advertised and offered for sale the property levied on; and an officer failing to make such statement is on motion subject to a fine of forty dollars, for the use and benefit of the plaintiff in the execution; for which, on motion of the plaintiff, judgment shall be granted by the court to which, or by justice to whom, the execution shall be returned. Nothing in, nor any recovery under, this section is a bar to any action for a false return against the sheriff or other officer. (1815, c. 887, P.R.; R.C., c. 45, s. 19; Code, s. 462; Rev., s. 650; C.S., s. 697; 1949, c. 719, s. 2; 1995, c. 379, s. 14(a).)

Part 2. Procedure for Sale.

§ 1‑339.51. Contents of notice of sale.

The notice of sale shall

(1) Refer to the execution authorizing the sale;

(2) Designate the date, hour and place of sale;

(3) Describe real property to be sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficiently to identify it, and may add such further description as will acquaint bidders with the nature and location of the property;

(4) Describe personal property to be sold sufficiently to indicate its nature and quantity, and may add such further description as will acquaint bidders with the nature of the property; and

(5) State that the sale will be made to the highest bidder for cash. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.52. Posting and publishing notice of sale of real property.

(a) The notice of sale of real property shall:

(2) Be published once a week for at least two successive weeks:

a. In a newspaper qualified for legal advertising published in the county; or

b. If no newspaper qualified for legal advertising is published in the county, in a newspaper having general circulation in the county.

(b) When the notice of sale is published in a newspaper:

(1) The period from the date of the first publication to the date of the last publication, both dates inclusive, shall not be less than seven days, including Sundays; and

(2) The date of the last publication shall be not more than 10 days preceding the date of the sale.

(c) When the real property to be sold is situated in more than one county, the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) shall be complied with in each county in which any part of the property is situated. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1967, c. 979, s. 2; 2001‑271, s. 11.)

§ 1‑339.53. Posting notice of sale of personal property.

The notice of sale of personal property, except in the case of perishable property as specified in G.S. 1‑339.56, shall be posted, in the area designated by the clerk of superior court for the posting of notices in the county in which the sale is to be held, for 10 days immediately preceding the date of sale. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 2001‑271, s. 12.)

§ 1‑339.54. Notice to judgment debtor of sale of real property.

In addition to complying with G.S. 1‑339.52, relating to posting and publishing the notice of sale, the sheriff shall, at least ten days before the sale of real property,

(1) If the judgment debtor is found in the county, serve a copy of the notice of sale on him personally, or

(2) If the judgment debtor is not found in the county,

a. Send a copy of the notice of sale by registered mail to the judgment debtor at his last address known to the sheriff, and

b. Serve a copy of the notice of sale on the judgment debtor's agent, if there is in the county a person known to the sheriff to be an agent who has custody or management of, or who exercises control over, any property in the county belonging to the judgment debtor. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.55. Notification of Governor and Attorney General.

When the State is a stockholder in any corporation whose property is to be sold under execution, notice in writing shall be given by the sheriff by registered mail to the Governor and the Attorney General at least thirty days before the sale, stating the time and place of the sale and including a copy of the process under the authority of which such sale is to be made. Any sale held without complying with the provisions of this section is invalid with respect to the State. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.56. Exception; perishable property.

If, in the opinion of the sheriff, any personal property levied on under execution is perishable because subject to rapid deterioration, he shall forthwith report such levy, together with a description of the property, to the clerk of the superior court, and request instructions as to the sale of such property. If the clerk then determines that the property is such perishable property, he shall thereupon order a sale thereof to be held at such time and place and upon such notice to be given in such manner and for such length of time as he deems advisable. If the clerk determines that the property is not perishable, he shall order it to be sold in the same manner as other nonperishable property. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.57. Satisfaction of judgment before sale completed.

If, prior to the time fixed for a sale, or prior to the expiration of the time allowed for submitting any upset bid, payment is made or tendered to the sheriff of the judgment and costs with respect to which the execution was issued, and the sheriff's fees, commissions and expenses which have accrued, together with any expenses incurred on account of the sale or proposed sale including costs incurred in caring for the property levied on, then any right to effect a sale pursuant to the execution ceases. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.58. Postponement of sale.

(a) The sheriff may postpone the sale to a day certain not later than six days, exclusive of Sunday, after the original date for the sale:

(1) When there are no bidders,

(2) When, in the sheriff's judgment, the number of prospective bidders at the sale is substantially decreased by inclement weather or by any casualty,

(3) When there are so many other sales advertised to be held at the same time and place as to make it inexpedient and impracticable, in the sheriff's judgment, to hold the sale on that day,

(4) When the sheriff is unable to hold the sale because of illness or for other good reason, or

(5) When other good cause exists.

(b) Upon postponement of a sale, the sheriff shall:

(1) At the time and place advertised for the sale, publicly announce the postponement of the sale; and

(2) On the same day, attach to or enter on the original notice of sale or a copy of the notice, posted as provided by G.S. 1‑339.52 in the case of real property or G.S. 1‑339.53 in the case of personal property, a notice of the postponement.

(1) State that the sale is postponed,

(2) State the hour and date to which the sale is postponed,

(3) State the reason for the postponement, and

(4) Be signed by the sheriff.

(d) If a sale is not held at the time fixed for the sale and is not postponed as provided by this section, or if a postponed sale is not held at the time fixed for the sale, the sheriff shall report the facts with respect thereto to the clerk of the superior court, who shall thereupon make an order for the sale of the property to be held at such time and place and upon such notice to be given in the manner and for the length of time as the clerk of the superior court deems advisable, but nothing in this section relieves the sheriff of liability for the nonperformance of the sheriff's official duty. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 2001‑271, s. 13.)

§ 1‑339.59. Procedure upon dissolution of order restraining or enjoining sale.

(a) When, before the date fixed for a sale, a judge dissolves an order restraining or enjoining the sale, he may, if the required notice of sale has been given, provide by order that the sale shall be held without additional notice at the time and place originally fixed therefor, or he may, in his discretion, make an order with respect thereto as provided in subsection (b).

(b) When, after the date fixed for a sale, a judge dissolves an order restraining or enjoining the sale, he shall by order fix the time and place for the sale to be held upon notice to be given in such manner and for such length of time as he deems advisable. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.60. Time of sale.

(a) A sale shall begin at the time designated in the notice of sale or as soon thereafter as practicable, but not later than one hour after the time fixed therefor unless it is delayed by other sales held at the same place.

(b) No sale shall commence before 10:00 o'clock A.M. or after 4:00 o'clock P.M.

(c) No sale shall continue after 4:00 o'clock P.M., except that in cities or towns of more than 5,000 inhabitants, as shown by the most recent federal census, sales of personal property may continue until 10:00 o'clock P.M. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.61. Continuance of uncompleted sale.

A sale commenced but not completed within the time allowed by G.S. 1‑339.60 shall be continued by the sheriff to a designated time between 10:00 o'clock A.M. and 4:00 o'clock P.M. the next following day, other than Sunday. In case such continuance becomes necessary, the sheriff shall publicly announce the time to which the sale is continued. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.62. Delivery of personal property; bill of sale.

A sheriff holding a sale of personal property shall deliver the property to the purchaser immediately upon receipt of the purchase price. The sheriff may also execute and deliver a bill of sale or other muniment of title for any personal property sold, and, upon application of the purchaser, shall do so when required by the clerk of the superior court of the county where the property is sold. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.63. Report of sale.

(a) The sheriff shall, within five days after the date of the sale, file a report thereof with the clerk of the superior court.

(b) The report shall be signed and shall show

(1) The title of the action or proceeding;

(2) The authority under which the sheriff acted;

(3) The date, hour and place of the sale;

(4) A description of real property sold, by reference or otherwise, sufficient to identify it, and, if sold in parts, a description of each part so sold;

(5) A description of personal property sold, sufficient to indicate the nature and quantity of the property sold to each purchaser;

(6) The name or names of the person or persons to whom the property was sold;

(7) The price at which the property, or each part thereof, was sold and that such price was the highest bid therefor; and

(8) The date of the report. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.64. Upset bid on real property; compliance bond.

(a) An upset bid is an advanced, increased, or raised bid whereby a person offers to purchase real property theretofore sold for an amount exceeding the reported sale price or last upset bid by a minimum of five percent (5%) thereof, but in any event with a minimum increase of seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00). Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, an upset bid shall be made by delivering to the clerk of superior court, with whom the report of sale or the last notice of upset bid was filed, a deposit in cash or by certified check or cashier's check satisfactory to the clerk in an amount greater than or equal to five percent (5%) of the amount of the upset bid but in no event less than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00). The deposit required by this section shall be filed with the clerk of the superior court, with whom the report of sale or the last notice of upset bid was filed, by the close of normal business hours on the tenth day after the filing of the report of sale or the last notice of upset bid and if the tenth day falls upon a Sunday or legal holiday when the courthouse is closed for transactions, or upon a day in which the office of the clerk is not open for the regular dispatch of its business, the deposit may be made and the notice of upset bid may be filed on the day following when the office is open for the regular dispatch of its business. Except as provided in G.S. 1‑339.66A and G.S. 1‑339.69, there shall be no resales; however, there may be successive upset bids, each of which shall be followed by a period of 10 days for a further upset bid. If a timely motion for resale is filed under G.S. 1‑339.66A, no upset bids may be filed while the motion is pending.

(b) The clerk of the superior court may require an upset bidder or the highest bidder at a resale held under G.S. 1‑339.69 also to deposit with the clerk a cash bond, or, in lieu thereof at the option of the bidder, a surety bond, approved by the clerk. The compliance bond shall be in the amount the clerk deems adequate, but in no case greater than the amount of the bid of the person being required to furnish the bond, less the amount of any required deposit. The compliance bond shall be payable to the State of North Carolina for the use of the parties in interest and shall be conditioned on the principal obligor's compliance with the bid.

(d) Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑271, s. 14, effective January 1, 2002. See editor's note for applicability.

(e) At the time that an upset bid on real property is submitted to the court as provided in subsection (a) of this section, together with a compliance bond if one is required, the upset bidder shall file with the clerk a notice of upset bid. The notice of upset bid shall:

(1) State the name, address, and telephone number of the upset bidder;

(2) Specify the amount of the upset bid;

(3) Provide that the sale shall remain open for a period of 10 days after the date on which the notice of upset bid is filed for the filing of additional upset bids as permitted by law; and

(4) Be signed by the upset bidder or the attorney or the agent of the upset bidder.

(f) When an upset bid is made as provided in this section, the clerk shall notify the person holding the sale who shall thereafter mail a written notice of upset bid by first‑class mail to the last known address of the last prior bidder and the current record owners of the property.

(g) When an upset bid is made as provided in this section, the last prior bidder, regardless of how the bid was made, is released from any further obligation on account of the bid, and any deposit or bond provided by the last prior bidder shall be released.

(h) Any person offering to purchase real property by upset bid as permitted in this Article is subject to and bound by the terms of the original notice of sale except as modified by a court order or the provisions of this Article.

(i) The clerk of superior court shall make all orders as may be just and necessary to safeguard the interests of all parties and may fix and determine all necessary procedural details with respect to upset bids in all instances in which this Article fails to make definite provisions as to that procedure. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1967, c. 979, s. 2; 1997‑119, s. 2; 2001‑271, s. 14; 2002‑28, s. 2; 2003‑337, s. 7.)

§ 1‑339.65. Separate upset bids when real property sold in parts; subsequent procedure.

When real property is sold in parts, as provided by G.S. 1‑339.46, the sale of any part shall be subject to a separate upset bid; and to the extent the clerk of the superior court having jurisdiction deems advisable, the sale of each part shall thereafter be treated as a separate sale for the purpose of determining the applicable procedure. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 2001‑271, s. 15.)

§ 1‑339.66: Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑271, s. 16.

§ 1‑339.66A. Ordering resale of real property after upset bid.

Upon motion of an interested person filed within 10 days after a sale or upset bid and for good cause, the clerk of superior court may order a resale of real property when an upset bid is submitted as provided in G.S. 1‑339.64. If the motion is granted based on the inadequacy of the last bid, the procedure for the resale is the same in every respect as is provided by this Article in the case of an original public sale, and the last bidder is released from the bidder's obligations under the bid. If the motion is granted for any other reason, the last bid becomes the opening bid at resale, and if there is no bid at resale other than the last bid, the person who made the last bid is the highest bidder at resale. If the motion is denied, the 10‑day period for subsequent upset bids begins upon the entry of the order. (2001‑271, s. 17.)

§ 1‑339.67. Confirmation of sale of real property.

No sale of real property may be consummated until the sale is confirmed by the clerk of the superior court. No order of confirmation may be made until the time for submitting an upset bid, pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.64, has expired. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1967, c. 979, s. 2.)

§ 1‑339.68. Deed for real property sold; property subject to liens; orders for possession.

(a) Upon confirmation of a sale of real property, the sheriff, upon order of the clerk of the superior court, shall prepare and tender to the purchaser a duly executed deed for the property sold and, upon compliance by the purchaser with the terms of the sale, shall deliver the deed to the purchaser.

(b) Any real property sold under execution remains subject to all liens which became effective prior to the lien of the judgment pursuant to which the sale is held, in the same manner and to the same extent as if no such sale had been held.

(c) Orders for possession of real property sold pursuant to this Article, in favor of the purchaser and against any party or parties in possession at the time of the sale who remain in possession at the time of application therefor, may be issued by the clerk of the superior court of the county in which such property is sold, when:

(1) The purchaser is entitled to possession, and

(2) The purchase price has been paid, and

(3) The sale or resale has been confirmed, and

(4) Ten days' notice has been given to the party or parties in possession at the time of the sale or resale who remain in possession at the time application is made, and

(5) Application is made to such clerk by the purchaser of the property.

(d) An order for possession issued pursuant to the preceding subsection shall be directed to the sheriff, shall authorize him to remove the party or parties in possession, and their personal property, from the premises and to put the purchaser in possession, and shall be executed in accordance with the procedure for executing a writ or order for possession in a summary ejectment proceeding under G.S. 42‑36.2. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1967, c. 979, s. 2; 1987, c. 627, s. 2.)

§ 1‑339.69. Failure of bidder to comply with bid; resale.

(a) When the highest bidder at a sale of personal property fails to pay the amount of the bid, the sheriff shall at the same time and place immediately resell the property. In the event no other bid is received, a new sale may be advertised in the regular manner provided by this Article for an original sale.

(b) When the highest bidder at a sale or resale of real property or any upset bidder fails to comply with the bid within 10 days after the tender to the bidder of a deed for the property or after a bona fide attempt to tender such deed, the clerk of the superior court who issued the execution may order a resale. The procedure for such resale is the same in every respect as is provided by this Article in the case of an original sale of real property.

(c) A defaulting bidder at any sale or resale or any defaulting upset bidder is liable on the bid, and in case a resale is had because of the default, the defaulting bidder remains liable to the extent that the final sale price is less than the bid plus all costs of the resale or resales. Any deposit or compliance bond made by the defaulting bidder shall secure payment of the amount, if any, for which the defaulting bidder remains liable under this section.

(d) Nothing in this section deprives any person of any other remedy against the defaulting bidder. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 2001‑271, s. 18.)

§ 1‑339.70. Disposition of proceeds of sale.

(a) After deducting all sums due him on account of the sale, including the expenses incurred in caring for the property so long as his responsibility for such care continued, the sheriff shall pay the proceeds of the sale to the clerk of the superior court who issued the execution, and the clerk shall furnish the sheriff a receipt therefor.

(b) The clerk shall apply the proceeds of the sale so received to the payment of the judgment upon which the execution was issued.

(c) Any surplus shall be paid by the clerk to the person legally entitled thereto if the clerk knows who such person is. If the clerk is in doubt as to who is entitled to the surplus, or if adverse claims are asserted thereto, the clerk shall hold such surplus until rights thereto are established in a special proceeding pursuant to G.S. 1‑339.71. (1949, c. 719, s. 1.)

§ 1‑339.71. Special proceeding to determine ownership of surplus.

(a) A special proceeding may be instituted before the clerk of the superior court by any person claiming any money, or part thereof, paid into the clerk's office under G.S. 1‑339.70 or G.S. 105‑ 374(q)(6), to determine who is entitled thereto.

(b) All other persons who have filed with the clerk notice of their claim to the money or any part thereof, or who, as far as the petitioner or petitioners know, assert any claim to the money or any part thereof, shall be made defendants in the proceeding.

(c) If any answer is filed raising issues of fact as to the ownership of the money, the proceedings shall be transferred to the civil issue docket of the superior court for trial. When a proceeding is so transferred, the clerk may require any party to the proceeding who asserts a claim to the fund by petition or answer to furnish a bond for costs in the amount of $200.00, or otherwise comply with the provisions of G.S. 1‑109.

(d) The court may, in its discretion, allow a reasonable attorney's fee for any attorney appearing in behalf of the party or parties who prevail, to be paid out of the funds in controversy, and shall tax all costs against the losing party or parties who asserted a claim to the fund by petition or answer. (1949, c. 719, s. 1; 1967, c. 705, s. 2; 1973, c. 1446, s. 19.)

Article 29C.

Validating Sections.

§ 1‑339.72. Validation of certain sales.

All sales of real property under execution, deed of trust, mortgage or other contracts made since February 21, 1929, where notice of the original sale was published for four successive weeks, and notice of any resale was published for two successive weeks, shall be and the same are in all respects validated as to publication of notice. (1933, c. 96, s. 3; 1949, c. 719, s. 3; 1955, c. 1286; 1965, c. 786.)

§ 1‑339.73. Ratification of certain sales held on days other than the day required by statute.

All sales made prior to March 2, 1939, under execution or by order of court on any day other than the first Monday in any month, or the first three days of a term of the superior court of said county are hereby validated, ratified and confirmed.

All sales or resales of real property made prior to March 30, 1939, under order of court on the premises or at the courthouse door in the county in which all, or any part of the property, is situated, on any day other than Monday in any month, are hereby validated, ratified and confirmed. (1876‑7, c. 216, ss. 2, 3; 1883, c. 94, ss. 1, 2; Code, s. 454; Rev., s. 643; C.S., s. 690; 1931, c. 23; 1937, c. 26; 1939, cc. 71, 256; 1949, c. 719, s. 3.)

§ 1‑339.74. Sales on other days validated.

All sales of real or personal property made prior to February 27, 1933, by a sheriff of any county in North Carolina, in the manner provided by law for sale of real or personal property under execution, on any day other than the day now provided by law are hereby validated.

All sales of real and personal property made prior to February 14,1939, by a sheriff under execution, or by commissioner under order of court, in the manner provided by law for sale of real or personal property, on any day other than the days now provided by law are hereby validated.

All sales of real or personal property made prior to March 10, 1939, by a sheriff of any county in North Carolina, in the manner provided by law for sale of real or personal property under execution, on any day other than the day now provided by law, are hereby validated. (1933, c. 79; 1939, cc. 24, 94; 1949, c. 719, s. 3.)

§ 1‑339.75. Certain sales validated.

All sales of realty made under executions issued prior to March the fifteenth, one thousand nine hundred and one, on judgments regularly obtained in courts of competent jurisdiction, are hereby validated, whether such sales were continued from day to day or for a longer period, not exceeding ten days: Provided, that such executions and sales are in all other respects regular: Provided further, that purchasers and their assigns shall have held continuous and adverse possession under a sheriff's deed for three years: Provided further, that the rights of minors and married women shall in nowise be prejudiced hereby. (1901, c. 742; Rev., s. 646; C.S., s. 693; 1949, c. 719, s. 3.)

§ 1‑339.76. Validation of sales when payment deferred more than two years.

All sales of land conducted prior to February 10, 1927, under authority of G.S. 28‑93, in which the deferred payments were extended over a period longer than two years, are hereby validated. (1917, c. 127, s. 2; C.S., s. 86; 1927, c. 16; 1949, c. 719, s. 3.)

§ 1‑339.77. Validation of certain sales confirmed prior to time prescribed by law.

From and after June 1, 1953 no action shall be brought to contest the validity of a decree filed on or before December 31, 1950, confirming the sale of real or personal property in any special proceeding on the grounds that the decree of confirmation was entered prior to the expiration of the period of time as required by law following the report of sale. (1953, c. 1089.)

Article 30.

Betterments.

§ 1‑340. Petition by claimant; execution suspended; issues found.

A defendant against whom a judgment is rendered for land may, at any time before execution, present a petition to the court rendering the judgment, stating that he, or those under whom he claims, while holding the premises under a color of title believed to be good, have made permanent improvements thereon, and praying that he may be allowed for the improvements, over and above the value of the use and occupation of the land. The court may, if satisfied of the probable truth of the allegation, suspend the execution of the judgment and impanel a jury to assess the damages of the plaintiff and the allowance to the defendant for the improvements. In any such action this inquiry and assessment may be made upon the trial of the cause. (1871‑2, c. 147; Code, s. 473; Rev., s. 652; C.S., s. 699.)

§ 1‑341. Annual value of land and waste charged against defendant.

The jury, in assessing the damages, shall estimate against the defendant the clear annual value of the premises during the time he was in possession, exclusive of the use of the improvements thereon made by himself or those under whom he claims, and also the damages for waste or other injury to the premises committed by the defendant. The defendant is not liable for the annual value or for damages for waste or other injury for any longer time than three years before the suit, unless he claims for improvements. (1871‑2, c. 147, ss. 2‑3; Code, ss. 474, 475; Rev., ss. 653, 654; C.S., s. 700.)

§ 1‑342. Value of improvements estimated.

If the jury is satisfied that the defendant, or those under whom he claims, made on the premises, at a time when there was reason to believe the title good under which he or they were holding the premises, permanent and valuable improvements, they shall estimate in his favor the value of the improvements made before notice, in writing, of the title under which the plaintiff claims, not exceeding the amount actually expended in making them and not exceeding the amount to which the value of the premises is actually increased thereby at the time of the assessment. (1871‑2, c. 147, s. 4; Code, s. 476; Rev., s. 655; C.S., s. 701.)

§ 1‑343. Improvements to balance rents.

If the sum estimated for the improvements exceeds the damages estimated against the defendant as aforesaid, the jury shall then estimate against him for any time before the said three years the rents and profits accrued against or damages for waste or other injury done by him, or those under whom he claims, so far as is necessary to balance his claim for improvements; but the defendant in such case shall not be liable for the excess, if any, of such rents, profits, or damages beyond the value of improvements. (1871‑2, c. 147, s. 5; Code, s. 477; Rev., s. 656; C.S., s. 702.)

§ 1‑344. Verdict, judgment, and lien.

After offsetting the damages assessed for the plaintiff, and the allowances to the defendant for any improvements, the jury shall find a verdict for the balance for the plaintiff or defendant, as the case may be, and judgment shall be entered therefor according to the verdict. Any such balance due to the defendant is a lien upon the land recovered by the plaintiff until it is paid. (1871‑2, c. 147, ss. 6, 7; Code, ss. 478, 479; Rev., ss. 657, 658; C.S., s. 703.)

§ 1‑345. Life tenant recovers from remainderman.

If the plaintiff claims only an estate for life in the land recovered and pays any sum allowed to the defendant for improvements, he or his personal representative may recover at the determination of his estate from the remainderman or reversioner, the value of the said improvements as they then exist, not exceeding the amount as paid by him, and he has a lien therefor on the premises as if they had been mortgaged for the payment thereof, and may keep possession of said premises until it is paid. (1871‑2, c. 147, s. 8; Code, s. 480; Rev., s. 659; C.S., s. 704.)

§ 1‑346. Value of premises without improvements.

When the defendant claims allowance for improvements, the plaintiff may by entry on the record require that the value of his estate in the premises without the improvements shall also be ascertained. The value of the premises in such cases shall be estimated as it would have been at the time of the inquiry, if no such improvements had been made by the tenant or any person under whom he claims, and shall be ascertained in the manner hereinbefore provided for estimating the value of improvements. (1871‑2, c. 147, ss. 10‑11; Code, ss. 482, 483; Rev., ss. 661, 662; C.S., s. 705.)

§ 1‑347. Plaintiff's election that defendant take premises.

The plaintiff in such case, if judgment is rendered for him, may, at any time during the same term, or before judgment is rendered on the assessment of the value of the improvements, in person or by his attorney in the cause, enter on the record his election to relinquish his estate in the premises to the defendant at the value as ascertained, and the defendant shall thenceforth hold all the estate that the plaintiff had therein at the commencement of the suit, if he pays therefor the said value with interest in the manner ordered by the court. (1871‑2, c. 147, s. 12; Code, s. 484; Rev., s. 663; C.S., s. 706.)

§ 1‑348. Payment made to court; land sold on default.

The payment must be made to the plaintiff, or into court for his use, and the land is bound therefor, and if the defendant fails to make the payment within or at the times limited therefor, the court may order the land sold and the proceeds applied to the payment of said value and interest, and any surplus to be paid to the defendant; but if the net proceeds are insufficient to satisfy the said value and interest, the defendant is not bound for the deficiency. (1871‑2, c. 147, s. 13; Code, s. 485; Rev., s. 664; C.S., s. 707.)

§ 1‑349. Procedure where plaintiff is under disability.

If the party by or for whom the land is claimed in the suit is a minor or insane person, such value is deemed to be real estate, and shall be disposed of as the court considers proper for the benefit of the persons interested therein. (1871‑2, c. 147, s. 14; Code, s. 486; Rev., s. 665; C.S., s. 708; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 742, s. 2.)

§ 1‑350. Defendant evicted, may recover from plaintiff.

If the defendant, his heirs or assigns, after the premises are so relinquished to him, is evicted by force of a better title than that of the original plaintiff, the person so evicted may recover from the plaintiff or his representatives the amount paid for the premises, as so much money had and received by the plaintiff in his lifetime for the use of such person, with lawful interest thereon from the time of the payment. (1871‑2, c. 147, s. 15; Code, s. 487; Rev., s. 666; C.S., s. 709.)

§ 1‑351. Not applicable to suit by mortgagee.

Nothing in this Article applies to any suit brought by a mortgagee or his heirs or assigns against a mortgagor or his heirs or assigns for the recovery of the mortgaged premises. (1871‑2, c. 147, s. 9; Code, s. 481; Rev., s. 660; C.S., s. 710.)

Article 31.

Supplemental Proceedings.

§ 1‑352. Execution unsatisfied, debtor ordered to answer.

When an execution against property of a judgment debtor, or any one of several debtors in the same judgment, issued to the sheriff of the county where he resides or has a place of business, or if he does not reside in the State, to the sheriff of the county where a judgment roll or a transcript of a judgment is filed, is returned wholly or partially unsatisfied, the judgment creditor at any time after the return, and within three years from the time of issuing the execution, is entitled to an order from the court to which the execution is returned or from the judge thereof, requiring such debtor to appear and answer concerning his property before such court or judge, at a time and place specified in the order, within the county to which the execution was issued. (C.C.P., s. 264; 1868‑9, c. 95, s. 2; Code, s. 488, subsec. 1; Rev., s. 667; C.S., s. 711; 1971, c. 268, s. 21.)

§ 1‑352.1. Interrogatories to discover assets.

As an additional method of discovering assets of a judgment debtor, the judgment creditor may prepare and serve on the judgment debtor written interrogatories concerning his property, at any time the judgment remains unsatisfied, and within three years from the time of issuing an execution. Such written interrogatories shall be fully answered under oath by the judgment debtor within 30 days of service on the judgment debtor, and the answer shall be filed by the judgment debtor with the clerk of the superior court wherein the original judgment is docketed. Copy of said answer shall be served upon the party submitting said written interrogatories, in the manner provided by the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Interrogatories may relate to any matters which can be inquired into under G.S. 1‑352, and the debtor may object to any interrogatories that are deemed improper, but the making of objections shall not delay the answering of interrogatories to which objection is not made. If the objections are overruled, the court shall fix the time for answering the interrogatories. The number of interrogatories or sets of interrogatories to be served is not limited except as justice requires to protect the party from annoyance, expense, embarrassment or oppression.

Upon failure of the judgment debtor to answer fully the written interrogatories, the judgment creditor may petition the court for an order requiring the judgment debtor to answer fully, which order shall be served upon the judgment debtor in the same manner as a summons is served pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure, fixing the time within which the judgment debtor can answer the interrogatives. In addition, the order shall provide, as an alternative, that the judgment debtor may mail the judgment creditor, by certified mail, within five days of the date of service of the order, a specific request for a hearing before a court or judge to answer oral questions concerning his property rather than answering the written interrogatories. Upon timely receipt of this request, the judgment creditor shall request the court to calendar the hearing.

Any person who disobeys an order of the court may be punished by the judge as for a contempt under the provisions of G.S. 1‑368. (1971, c. 529, s. 1; 1979, c. 648.)

§ 1‑352.2. Additional method of discovering assets.

In addition to the other provisions of this Article and as an additional method of discovering assets of a judgment debtor the clerk of the court or a judge of the court in the county wherein the original judgment is docketed, at any time the judgment remains unsatisfied, and within three years from the time of issuing an execution, upon motion of the judgment creditor showing good cause therefor, may:

(1) Order the judgment debtor, his agent or anyone having possession or control of property or records of or pertaining to the judgment debtor, to produce and permit the inspection and copying or photographing, by or on behalf of the moving party, of any designated documents, papers, books, accounts, all tax records, letters, objects or tangible things, not privileged, constituting property, or being evidence of property, of the judgment debtor and which are in his possession and custody, or subject to his control; or

(2) Order the judgment debtor or anyone acting for or on his behalf to permit entry upon designated land or other property, real or personal, in his possession or control or subject to his control for the purpose of inspecting, measuring, surveying, appraising, copying, or photographing the property of the judgment debtor.

(3) Prior notice of the motion, together with a copy thereof, shall be served on the judgment debtor as provided by the Rules of Civil Procedure. Upon the hearing, the order entered shall specify the time, place, and manner for compliance therewith and may prescribe such terms and conditions as are just.

(4) Any person who shall fail to comply with an order entered pursuant to this section may be punished as for a contempt under the provisions of G.S. 1‑368. (1971, c. 711, s. 1.)

§ 1‑353. Property withheld from execution; proceedings.

After the issuing of an execution against property, and upon proof by affidavit of a party, his agent or attorney, to the satisfaction of the court or a judge thereof, that any judgment debtor residing in the district court district as defined in G.S. 7A‑133 or superior court district as defined in G.S. 7A‑41.1, as the case may be, where such judge or sheriff resides has property which he unjustly refuses to apply toward the satisfaction of the judgment, such court or judge may, by order, require the judgment debtor to appear at a specified time and place, to answer concerning the same; and proceedings may thereupon be had for the application of the property of the judgment debtor towards the satisfaction of the judgment as provided upon the return of an execution, and the judgment creditor is entitled to the order of examination under this section and G.S. 1‑352 although the judgment debtor has an equitable estate in land subject to the lien of the judgment, or choses in action, or other things of value unaffected by the lien of the judgment and incapable of levy. (C.C.P., s. 264; 1868‑9, c. 95, s. 2; Code, s. 488, subsec. 2; Rev., s. 688; C.S., s. 712; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1037, s. 39.)

§ 1‑354. Proceedings against joint debtors.

Proceedings supplemental to execution may be taken upon the return of an execution unsatisfied, issued upon a judgment recovered in an action against joint debtors, in which some of the defendants have not been served with the summons by which the action was commenced, so far as relates to the joint property of such debtors; and all actions by creditors to obtain satisfaction of judgments out of the property of joint debtors are maintainable in like manner and to the like effect. These provisions apply to all proceedings and actions pending and to those terminated by final decree or judgment. (C.C.P., s. 266; 1869‑70, c. 79, s. 2; 1870‑1, c. 245; Code, s. 490; Rev., s. 669; C.S., s. 713.)

§ 1‑355. Debtor leaving State, or concealing himself, arrested; bond.

Instead of the order requiring the attendance of the judgment debtor, the court or judge may, upon proof by affidavit or otherwise to his satisfaction that there is danger of the debtor leaving the State or concealing himself, and that there is reason to believe that he has property which he unjustly refuses to apply to the judgment, issue a warrant requiring the sheriff of any county where such debtor is to arrest him and bring him before the court or judge. Upon being brought before the court or judge, the debtor may be examined on oath, and, if it appears that there is danger of his leaving the State, and that he has property which he has unjustly refused to apply to the judgment, he shall be ordered to enter into an undertaking, with one or more sureties, that he will, from time to time, attend before the court or judge as directed, and that he will not, during the pendency of the proceedings, dispose of any property not exempt from execution. In default of entering into such undertaking, he may be committed to prison by warrant of the court or judge, as for contempt. (1868‑9, c. 148, s. 4; c. 277, s. 8; Code, s. 488, subsec. 4; Rev., s. 671; C.S., s. 714.)

§ 1‑356. Examination of parties and witnesses.

On examination under this Article either party may examine witnesses in his behalf, and the judgment debtor may be examined in the same manner as a witness; and the party or witnesses may be required to appear before the court or judge, or a referee appointed by either, and testify on any proceedings under this Article in the same manner as upon the trial of an issue. If before a referee, the examination shall be taken by the referee, and certified to the court or judge. All examinations and answers before a court or judge or referee under this Article must be on oath, except that when a corporation answers, the answer shall be on the oath of an officer thereof. (C.C.P., ss. 264, 267, 268; 1868‑9, c. 95, s. 2; 1871‑2, c. 245; Code, ss. 488 [subsec. 2], 491, 492; Rev., ss. 670, 676; C.S., s. 715.)

§ 1‑357. Incriminating answers not privileged; not used in criminal proceedings.

No person, on examination pursuant to this Article, is excused from answering any question on the ground that it will tend to convict him of the commission of a crime or that he has, before the examination, executed any conveyance, assignment or transfer of his property for any purpose, but his answer shall not be used as evidence against him in any criminal proceeding or prosecution. (C.C.P., s. 264; 1868‑9, c. 95, s. 2; Code, s. 488, subsec. 5; Rev., s. 672; C.S., s. 716.)

§ 1‑358. Disposition of property forbidden.

The court or judge may, by order, forbid a transfer or other disposition of, or any interference with, the property of the judgment debtor not exempt from execution. (C.C.P., s. 264; 1868‑9, c. 95, s. 2; Code, ss. 488 [subsec. 6], 494; Rev., s. 673; C.S., s. 717.)

§ 1‑359. Debtors of judgment debtor may satisfy execution.

After the issuing of an execution against property, all persons indebted to the judgment debtor, or to any one of several debtors in the same judgment, may pay to the sheriff the amount of their debt, or as much thereof as is necessary to satisfy the execution; and the sheriff's receipt is a sufficient discharge for the amount paid. (C.C.P., s. 265; Code, s. 489; Rev., s. 674; C.S., s. 718.)

§ 1‑360. Debtors of judgment debtor may be summoned.

Upon the issuing or return of an execution against property of the judgment debtor, or of any one of several debtors in the same judgment, and upon affidavit that any person or corporation has property of said judgment debtor, or is indebted to him in an amount exceeding ten dollars ($10.00), the court or judge may, by order, require such person or corporation, or any officer or members thereof, to appear at a specified time and place, and answer concerning the same; provided, however, that such inquiries may, in the discretion of the court, be answered by such person or corporation, or any officers or members thereof, by verified answers to interrogatories. The court or judge may also, in its or his discretion, require notice of the proceeding to be given to any party to the action, in such manner as seems proper. (C.C.P., s. 266; 1869‑70, c. 79, s. 2; 1870‑1, c. 245; Code, s. 490; Rev., s. 675; C.S., s. 719; 1989, c. 683; 1991, c. 426, s. 1; 1995, c. 257, s. 1.)

§ 1‑360.1. Execution on the property of debtors of judgment debtor.

After the clerk of superior court determines to the clerk's satisfaction that the debtor of the judgment debtor acknowledged at a proceeding conducted pursuant to G.S. 1‑360 that he is in possession of unencumbered property of such judgment debtor or is indebted to him in an amount exceeding ten dollars ($10.00), an execution shall issue against the property or debt of the judgment debtor that the debtor of the judgment debtor acknowledged he holds. (1991, c. 426, s. 2; 1995, c. 257, s. 2.)

§ 1‑361. Where proceedings instituted and defendant examined.

Proceedings supplemental to execution must be instituted in the county in which the judgment was rendered; but the place designated where the defendant must appear and answer must be within the county where he resides. (Rev., s. 677; C.S., s. 720.)

§ 1‑362. Debtor's property ordered sold.

The court or judge may order any property, whether subject or not to be sold under execution (except the homestead and personal property exemptions of the judgment debtor), in the hands of the judgment debtor or of any other person, or due to the judgment debtor, to be applied towards the satisfaction of the judgment; except that the earnings of the debtor for his personal services, at any time within 60 days next preceding the order, cannot be so applied when it appears, by the debtor's affidavit or otherwise, that these earnings are necessary for the use of a family supported wholly or partly by his labor. (C.C.P., s. 269; 1870‑1, c. 245; Code, s. 493; Rev., s. 678; C.S., s. 721.)

§ 1‑363. Receiver appointed.

The court or judge having jurisdiction over the appointment of receivers may also by order in like manner, and with like authority, appoint a receiver in proceedings under this Article of the property of the judgment debtor, whether subject or not to be sold under execution, except the homestead and personal property exemptions. But before the appointment of the receiver, the court or judge shall ascertain if practicable, by the oath of the party or otherwise, whether any other supplementary proceedings are pending against the judgment debtor, and if so, the plaintiff therein shall have notice to appear before him, and shall likewise have notice of all subsequent proceedings in relation to the receivership. No more than one receiver of the property of a judgment debtor shall be appointed. The title of the receiver relates back to the service of the restraining order, herein provided for. (C.C.P., s. 270; 1870‑1, c. 245; 1876‑7, c. 223; 1879, c. 63; 1881, c. 51; Code, s. 494; Rev., s. 679; C.S., s. 722.)

§ 1‑364. Filing and record of appointment; property vests in receiver.

When the court or a judge grants an order for the appointment of a receiver of the property of the judgment debtor, it shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county where the judgment roll in the action or transcript of judgment, upon which the proceedings are taken, is filed; and the clerk shall record the order in a book to be kept for that purpose in his office, to be called Book of Orders Appointing Receivers of Judgment Debtors, and shall note the time of its filing therein. A certified copy of the order shall be delivered to the receiver named therein, and he is vested with the property and effects of the judgment debtor from the time of the service of the restraining order, if such restraining order has been made, and if not, from the time of the filing and recording of the order for the appointment of a receiver. The receiver of the judgment debtor is subject to the direction and control of the court in which the judgment was obtained upon which the proceedings are founded. (C.C.P., s. 270; 1870‑1, c. 245; Code, s. 495; Rev., s. 680; C.S., s. 723; 1971, c. 268, s. 22.)

§ 1‑365. Where order of appointment recorded.

Before the receiver is vested with any real property of the judgment debtor, a certified copy of the order of appointment must be filed and recorded on the execution docket, in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county in which any real estate of the judgment debtor is situated, and also in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the debtor resides. (C.C.P., s. 270; Code, s. 496; Rev., s. 681; C.S., s. 724.)

§ 1‑366. Receiver to sue debtors of judgment debtor.

If it appears that a person or corporation alleged to have property of the judgment debtor, or indebted to him, claims an interest in the property adverse to him, or denies the debt, such interest or debt is recoverable only in an action against such person or corporation by the receiver; but the court or judge may, by order, forbid a transfer or other disposition of such property or interest till a sufficient opportunity is given to the receiver to commence and prosecute the action to judgment and execution, but such order may at any time be modified or dissolved by the court or judge having jurisdiction on such security as he directs. (C.C.P., s. 271; 1870‑1, c. 245; Code, s. 497; Rev., s. 682; C.S., s. 725.)

§ 1‑367. Reference.

The court or judge may, in his discretion, order a reference to the referee agreed upon by the parties, or appointed by him, to report the evidence or the facts. The appointment of the referee may be made in the first order or at any time. (C.C.P., s. 272; Code, s. 498; Rev., s. 683; C.S., s. 726.)

§ 1‑368. Disobedience of orders punished as for contempt.

Any person, party or witness, who disobeys an order of the court or judge or referee, duly served, may be punished by the judge as for a contempt. In all cases of commitment under this Article the person committed may, in case of inability to perform the act required, or to endure the imprisonment, be discharged from imprisonment by the judge committing him, or the judge having jurisdiction, on such terms as are just. (C.C.P., s. 274; 1869‑70, c. 79, s. 3; Code, s. 500; Rev., s. 684; C.S., s. 727.)

Article 32.

Property Exempt from Execution.

§§ 1‑369 through 1‑392: Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c.490.

SUBCHAPTER XII. SPECIAL PROCEEDINGS.

Article 33.

Special Proceedings.

§ 1‑393. Chapter and Rules of Civil Procedure applicable to special proceedings.

The Rules of Civil Procedure and the provisions of this Chapter on civil procedure are applicable to special proceedings, except as otherwise provided. (Code, s. 278; Rev., s. 710; C.S., s. 752; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

§ 1‑394. Contested special proceedings; commencement; summons.

Special proceedings against adverse parties shall be commenced as is prescribed for civil actions. The summons shall notify the defendant or defendants to appear and answer the complaint, or petition, of the plaintiff within 10 days after its service upon the defendant or defendants, and must contain a notice stating in substance that if the defendant or defendants fail to answer the complaint, or petition, within the time specified, plaintiff will apply to the court for the relief demanded in the complaint, or petition. The summons must run in the name of the State, and be dated and signed by the clerk, assistant clerk or deputy clerk of the superior court having jurisdiction in the special proceeding, and be directed to the defendant or defendants, and be delivered for service to some proper person, as defined by Rule 4(a) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. The clerk shall indicate on the summons by appropriate words that the summons is issued in a special proceeding and not in a civil action. The manner of service shall be as is prescribed for summons in civil actions by Rule 4 of the Rules of Civil Procedure: Provided, where the defendant is an agency of the federal government, or an agency of the State, or a local government, or an agency of a local government, the time for filing answer or other plea shall be within 30 days after the date of service of summons or after the final determination of any motion required to be made prior to the filing of an answer. (1868‑9, c. 93, s. 4; Code, ss. 279, 287; Rev., ss. 711, 712; C.S., s. 753; 1927, c. 66, s. 5; 1929, c. 50; c. 237, s. 3; 1939, c. 49, s. 2; c. 143; 1951, c. 783; 1961, c. 363; 1967, c. 954, s. 3; 1971, c. 1093, s. 17.)

§ 1‑394.1. Special proceedings to determine authority to transfer structured settlement payment rights.

When a special proceeding is commenced to obtain authorization for the transfer of structured settlement payment rights pursuant to Article 44B of this Chapter, the provisions of this Article apply except that the interested parties shall have 30 days to appear and answer the petition, and all hearings on such petitions must be conducted before a superior court judge and all final orders on such petitions must be entered by a superior court judge. (1999‑367, s. 2.)

§ 1‑395. Return of summons.

The person to whom the summons is delivered for service shall note on it the day of its delivery to him, and, if required by the plaintiff, shall execute it immediately. When executed, he shall immediately return the summons with the date and manner of its execution, by mail or otherwise, to the clerk of the court issuing it. (C.C.P., s. 75; Code, s. 280; Rev., s. 713; C.S., s. 754; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

§ 1‑396. When complaint filed.

The complaint or petition of the plaintiff must be filed in the clerk's office at or before the time of the issuance of the summons, unless time for filing said complaint or petition is extended as provided by G.S. 1‑398. (C.C.P., s. 76; 1876‑7, c. 241, s. 4; Code, s. 281; Rev., s. 714; C.S., s. 755; 1943, c. 543.)

§ 1‑397. Repealed by Session Laws 1943, c. 543.

§ 1‑398. Filing time enlarged.

The time for filing the complaint, petition, or any pleading may be enlarged by the court for good cause shown by affidavit, but may not be enlarged by more than 10 additional days, nor more than once, unless the default was occasioned by accident over which the party applying had no control, or by the fraud of the opposing party. (C.C.P., s. 79; Code, s. 283; Rev., s. 716; C.S., s. 757.)

§ 1‑399. Repealed by Session Laws 1999‑216, s.2.

§ 1‑400. Ex parte; commenced by petition.

If all the parties in interest join in the proceeding and ask the same relief, the commencement of the proceedings shall be by petition, setting forth the facts entitling the petitioners to relief, and the nature of the relief demanded. (1868‑9, c. 93; Code, s. 284; Rev., s. 718, C.S., s. 759.)

§ 1‑401. Clerk acts summarily; signing by petitioners; authorization to attorney.

In cases under G.S. 1‑400, if all persons to be affected by the decree or their attorney have signed the petition and are of full age, the clerk of the superior court has power to hear and decide the petition summarily. All of the petitioners must sign the petition, or must sign written application to clerk of court to be made petitioners and file same with the clerk or must sign a written authorization to the attorney which authorization must be filed with the clerk before he may make any order or decree to prejudice their rights. (1868‑9, c. 93, s. 2; Code, s. 285; Rev., s. 719; C.S., s. 760; 1953, c. 246.)

§ 1‑402. Judge approves when petitioner is infant.

If any petitioner is an infant, or the guardian of an infant, acting for him, no final order or judgment of the clerk, affecting the merits of the case and capable of being prejudicial to the infant, is valid, unless submitted to and approved by the judge resident or holding court in the district. (C.C.P., s. 420; 1868‑9, c. 93, s. 3; Code, s. 286; 1887, c. 61; Rev., s. 720; C.S., s. 761.)

§ 1‑403. Orders signed by judge.

Every order or judgment in a special proceeding required to be made by a judge of the superior court, in or out of session, must be authenticated by his signature. (1868‑9, c. 93, s. 5; 1872‑3, c. 100; Code, s. 288; Rev., s. 722; C.S., s. 762; 1971, c. 381, s. 12.)

§ 1‑404. Reports of commissioners and jurors.

Every order or judgment in a special proceeding imposing a duty on commissioners or jurors must prescribe the time within which the duty must be performed, except in cases where the time is prescribed by statute. The commissioners or jurors shall within 20 days after the performance of the duty file their report with the clerk of the superior court, and if no exception is filed to it within 10 days, the court may proceed to confirm the same on motion of any party and without special notice to the other parties. (1893, c. 209; Rev., s. 723; C.S., s. 763; 1945, c. 778.)

§ 1‑405. No report set aside for trivial defect.

No report or return made by any commissioners may be set aside and sent back to them or others for a new report because of any defect or omission not affecting the substantial rights of the parties, but the defect or omission may be amended by the court, or by the commissioners with permission of the court. (1868‑9, c. 93, s. 7; Code, s. 289; Rev., s. 724; C.S., s. 764.)

§ 1‑406. Commissioner of sale to account in sixty days.

In all actions or special proceedings when a person is appointed commissioner to sell real or personal property, he shall, within 60 days after the maturity of the note or bond for the balance of the purchase money of said property, or the payment of the amount of the bid when the sale is for cash, file with the clerk of the superior court a final account of his receipts and disbursements on account of the sale; and the clerk must audit the account and record it in the book in which the final settlements of executors and administrators are recorded. If any commissioner appointed in any action or special proceedings before the clerk fails, refuses or omits to file a final account as prescribed in this section, or renders an insufficient or unsatisfactory account, the clerk of the superior court shall forthwith order such commissioner to render a full and true account, as required by law, within 20 days after service of the order. Upon return of the order, duly served, if such commissioner shall fail to appear or refuse to exhibit such account, the clerk of the superior court may issue an attachment against said commissioner for a contempt and commit him till he exhibits such account, or files a bond for the amount held or unaccounted for as is prescribed by law for administrators, the premium for which is to be deducted from the commissioner's fee, earned by said commissioner in said action or special proceeding. (1901, c. 614, ss. 1, 2; Rev., s. 725; C.S., s. 765; 1933, c. 98.)

§ 1‑407. Commissioner holding proceeds of land sold for reinvestment to give bond.

Whenever in any cause of special proceeding there is a sale of real estate for the purpose of a reinvestment of the money arising from such sale, and the proceeds of such sale are held by a commissioner or other officer designated by the court to receive such money for purposes of reinvestment, the commissioner or officer so receiving same shall execute a good and sufficient bond, to be approved by the court, in an amount at least equal to the corpus of the fund, and payable to the State of North Carolina for the protection of the fund and the parties interested therein, and conditioned that such custodian of the money shall faithfully comply with all the orders of the court made or to be thereafter made concerning the handling and reinvestment of said funds and for the faithful and final accounting of the same to the parties interested. (1919, c. 259; C.S., s. 766; 1935, c. 45; 1957, c. 80.)

§ 1‑407.1. Bond required to protect interest of infant or incompetent.

In the case of any sale of real estate, the court may, in its discretion, require a good and sufficient bond to protect the interests of any infant or incompetent. (1957, c. 80.)

§ 1‑407.2. When court may waive bond; premium paid from fund protected.

The court, in its discretion, may waive the requirement of such bond in those cases in which the court requires the funds or proceeds from such sale to be paid by the purchaser or purchasers directly to the court. The premium for any such bond shall be paid from the corpus of the fund intended to be thereby protected. (1957, c. 80.)

§ 1‑408. Action in which clerk may allow fees of commissioners; fees taxed as costs.

In a civil action or special proceeding commenced in the superior court in which a commissioner or commissioners are appointed under an order or judgment entered by the clerk of the superior court, the clerk may fix a reasonable fee for the services of the commissioner or commissioners performed under the order or judgment. The fee shall be taxed as part of the costs in the action or proceeding. Any aggrieved party has the right to appeal as provided in Article 27A of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes. (1923, c. 66; s. 1; C.S., s. 766(a); 1999‑216, s. 4.)

§ 1‑408.1. Clerk may order surveys in civil actions and special proceedings involving sale of land.

In civil actions and special proceedings commenced in the superior court before the clerk where real property is to be sold to make assets to pay debts, or to be sold for division, or to be partitioned, the clerk may, if all parties to the action or proceedings will benefit by a survey, order a survey of the land involved, appoint a surveyor for this purpose, and fix a reasonable fee for the services of the surveyor. The fee and other costs of the survey shall be taxed as a part of the costs in the action or proceedings. Any aggrieved party has the right to appeal as provided in Article 27A of Chapter 1 of the General Statutes. (1955, c. 373; 1999‑216, s. 5.)

SUBCHAPTER XIII. PROVISIONAL REMEDIES.

Article 34.

Arrest and Bail.

§ 1‑409. Arrest only as herein prescribed.

No person may be arrested in a civil action except as prescribed by this Article, but this provision shall not apply to proceedings for contempt. (C.C.P., s. 148; Code, s. 290; Rev., s. 726; C.S., s. 767.)

§ 1‑410. In what cases arrest allowed.

The defendant may be arrested, as hereinafter prescribed, in the following cases:

(1) In an action for the recovery of damages on a cause of action not arising out of contract where the action is for willful, wanton, or malicious injury to person or character or for willfully, wantonly or maliciously injuring, taking, detaining, or converting real or personal property.

(2) In an action for a fine or penalty, for seduction, for money received, for property embezzled or fraudulently misapplied by a public officer, attorney, solicitor, or officer or agent of a corporation or banking association in the course of his employment, or by any factor, agent, broker or other person in a fiduciary capacity, or for any misconduct or neglect in office, or in a professional employment.

(3) In an action to recover the possession of personal property, unjustly detained, where all or any part of the property has been concealed, removed, or disposed of, so that it cannot be found or taken by the sheriff and with the intent that it should not be so found or taken, or with the intent to deprive the plaintiff of the benefit thereof.

(4) When the defendant has been guilty of a fraud in contracting the debt or incurring the obligation for which the action is brought, in concealing or disposing of the property for the taking, detention or conversion of which the action is brought, or when the action is brought to recover damages for fraud or deceit.

(5) When the defendant has removed, or disposed of his property, or is about to do so, with intent to defraud his creditors. The term "creditors" shall include, but not by way of limitation, a dependent spouse who claims alimony. The term "creditors" shall include, but not by way of limitation, a minor child entitled to an order for support. (1777, c. 118, s. 6, P.R.; R.C., c. 31, s. 54; C.C.P., s. 149; 1869‑70, c. 79; Code, s. 291; 1891, c. 541; Rev., s. 737; C.S., s. 768; 1943, c. 543; 1961, c. 82; 1967, c. 1153, ss. 4, 6.)

§ 1‑411. Order and affidavit.

An order for the arrest of the defendant must be obtained from the court in which the action is brought or a judge thereof, and may be made where it appears to the court or judge, by affidavit of the plaintiff or of any other person, that a sufficient cause of action exists and that the case is one of those provided for in this Article. (C.C.P., ss. 150, 151; Code, ss. 292, 293; Rev., ss. 728, 729; C.S., s. 769.)

§ 1‑412. Undertaking before order.

Before making the order the court or judge shall require a written undertaking on the part of the plaintiff of at least one hundred dollars ($100.00), with sufficient surety, payable to the defendant, to the effect that if the defendant recovers judgment the plaintiff will pay all damages which he sustains by reason of the arrest, not exceeding the sum specified in the undertaking. (C.C.P., s. 152; 1868‑9, c. 277, s. 7; Code, s. 294; Rev., s. 730; C.S., s. 770.)

§ 1‑413. Issuance and form of order.

The order may be made to accompany the summons, or to issue at any time afterwards, before judgment. It shall require the sheriff of the county where the defendant may be found forthwith to arrest him and hold him to bail in a specified sum, and to return the order at a place and time therein mentioned to the clerk of the court in which the action is brought. Notice of the return must be served on the plaintiff or his attorney as prescribed by law for the service of other notices. The order shall include a statement that if the person arrested is an indigent person he is entitled to services of counsel under G.S. 7A‑451, that he may petition for preliminary release on the basis of his indigency, that if he does so he will have an opportunity within 72 hours to suggest to a judge his indigency for purposes of appointment of counsel and preliminary release, and that the judge will thereupon immediately appoint counsel for him if it is adjudged that he is unable to pay a lawyer. Appointment of counsel shall be in accordance with rules adopted by the Office of Indigent Defense Services. (C.C.P., s. 153; Code, s. 295; Rev., s. 731; C.S., s. 771; 1977, c. 649, s. 3; 2000‑144, s. 15.)

§ 1‑414. Copies of affidavit and order to defendant.

The affidavit and order of arrest shall be delivered to the sheriff, who, upon arresting the defendant, shall deliver him a copy thereof. (C.C.P., s. 154; Code, s. 296; Rev., s. 732; C.S., s. 772.)

§ 1‑415. Execution of order.

The sheriff shall execute the order by arresting the defendant and keeping him in custody until discharged by law. The sheriff may call the power of the county to his aid in the execution of the arrest. (C.C.P., s. 155; Code, s. 297; Rev., s. 733; C.S., s. 773.)

§ 1‑416. Vacation of order for failure to serve.

The order of arrest is of no avail, and shall be vacated or set aside on motion, unless it is served upon the defendant, as provided by law, before the docketing of any judgment in the action. (C.C.P., s. 153; Code, s. 295; Rev., s. 734; C.S., s. 774.)

§ 1‑417. Motion to vacate order; jury trial.

A defendant arrested may at any time before judgment apply on motion to vacate the order of arrest or to reduce the amount of bail. He may deny upon oath the facts alleged in the affidavit of the plaintiff on which the order of arrest was granted, and demand that the issue so raised by the plaintiff's affidavit and the defendant's denial be submitted to the jury and tried in the same manner as other issues. If the issues are found by the jury in favor of the defendant, judgment shall be rendered discharging him from arrest and vacating the order of arrest, and he shall recover of the plaintiff all costs of the proceeding in such arrest incurred by him in defending the action. (C.C.P., s. 174; Code, s. 316; 1889, c. 497; Rev., s. 735; C.S., s. 775.)

§ 1‑418. Counter affidavits by plaintiff.

If the motion is made upon affidavits on the part of the defendant, but not otherwise, the plaintiff may oppose the same by affidavits, or other proof, in addition to those on which the order of arrest was made. (C.C.P., s. 175; Code, s. 317; Rev., s. 736; C.S., s. 776.)

§ 1‑419. How defendant discharged.

The defendant, at any time before execution, shall be discharged from the arrest, either upon giving bail or upon depositing the amount mentioned in the order of arrest, as provided in this article. (C.C.P., s. 156; Code, s. 298; Rev., s. 737; C.S., s. 777.)

§ 1‑420. Defendant's undertaking.

The defendant may give bail by causing a written undertaking, payable to the plaintiff, to be executed by sufficient surety to the effect that the defendant shall at all times render himself amendable to the process of the court, during the pendency of the action, and to such as may be issued to enforce the judgment therein, or if he is arrested in an action to recover the possession of personal property unjustly claimed, an undertaking to the same effect as that provided by law to be given by defendant for the retention of property, under the Article entitled Claim and Delivery. (C.C.P., s. 157; Code, s. 299; Rev., s. 738; C.S., s. 778.)

§ 1‑421. Defendant's undertaking delivered to clerk; exception.

Within the time limited for that purpose, the sheriff shall deliver the order of arrest to the clerk of the court in which the suit is brought, with his return endorsed, and a certified copy of the undertaking of the bail, and notify the plaintiff or his attorney thereof. The plaintiff, within 10 days thereafter, may serve upon the sheriff a notice that he does not accept the bail, or he is deemed to have accepted it and the sheriff is exonerated from the liability. (C.C.P., s. 162; Code, s. 304; Rev., s. 739; C.S., s. 779.)

§ 1‑422. Notice of justification; new bail.

On the receipt of notice of exception to the bail, the sheriff or defendant may, within 10 days thereafter, give to the plaintiff or his attorney notice of the justification of the same or other bondsmen (specifying the places of residence and occupation of the latter) before the court or judge, at a specified time and place; the time to be not less than five nor more than 10 days thereafter. In case other bondsmen are given, there must be a new bond, in the form hereinbefore prescribed. (C.C.P., s. 163; Code, s. 305; Rev., s. 741; C.S., s. 780; 1971, c. 268, s. 26.)

§ 1‑423. Qualifications of bail.

The qualifications of bail must be as follows:

(1) Each of them must be a resident and freeholder within the State

(2) They must each be worth the amount specified in the order of arrest, exclusive of property exempt from execution; but the judge, on justification, may allow more than two bail to justify severally in amounts less than that expressed in the order, if the whole justification is equivalent to that of two sufficient bail. (C.C.P., s. 164; Code, s. 306; Rev., s. 740; C.S., s. 781.)

§ 1‑424. Justification of bail.

For the purpose of justification, each of the bail shall attend before the court or judge, at the time and place mentioned in the notice, and may be examined on oath, on the part of the plaintiff, touching his sufficiency, in such manner as the court, or judge, in his discretion, may think proper. The examination must be reduced to writing and subscribed by the bail, if required by the plaintiff. (C.C.P., s. 165; Code, s. 307; Rev., s. 742; C.S., s. 782; 1971, c. 268, s. 27.)

§ 1‑425. Allowance of bail.

If the court or judge finds the bail sufficient, he shall annex the examination to the undertaking, endorse his allowance thereon, and cause them to be filed with the clerk. The sheriff is then exonerated from liability. (C.C.P., s. 166; Code, s. 308; Rev., s. 743; C.S., s. 783; 1971, c. 268, s. 28.)

§ 1‑426. Deposit in lieu of bail.

The defendant may, at the time of his arrest, instead of giving bail, deposit with the sheriff the amount mentioned in the order. The sheriff shall then give a certificate of the deposit to the defendant, who shall be discharged from custody. (C.C.P., s. 167; Code, s. 309; Rev., s. 744; C.S., s. 784.)

§ 1‑427. Deposit paid into court; liability on sheriff's bond.

Within four days after the deposit the sheriff must pay it into court, and take from the officer receiving it two certificates of such payment, one of which he must deliver to the plaintiff, and the other to the defendant. For any default in making such payment, the same proceedings may be had on the official bond of the sheriff, to collect the sum deposited, as in other cases of delinquency. (C.C.P., s. 168; Code, s. 310; Rev., s. 745; C.S., s. 785.)

§ 1‑428. Bail substituted for deposit.

If money is deposited, as provided in G.S. 1‑426 and 1‑427, bail may be given and justified upon notice according to law at any time before judgment. Thereupon the court or judge shall direct, in the order of allowance, that the money deposited be refunded by the sheriff or other officer to the defendant, and it shall be refunded accordingly. (C.C.P., s. 169; Code, s. 311; Rev., s. 746; C.S., s. 786; 1971, c. 268, s. 29.)

§ 1‑429. Deposit applied to plaintiff's judgment.

When money has been deposited, and remains on deposit at the time of an order or judgment for the payment of money to the plaintiff, the clerk or other officer shall, under the direction of the court, apply the same in satisfaction thereof, and after satisfying the judgment shall refund any surplus to the defendant. If the judgment is in favor of the defendant the clerk or other officer shall refund to him the whole sum deposited and remaining unapplied. (C.C.P., s. 170; Code, s. 312; Rev., s. 747; C.S., s. 787.)

§ 1‑430. Defendant in jail, sheriff may take bail.

If a person for want of bail is lawfully committed to jail, at any time before final judgment, the sheriff, or other officer having him in custody, may take bail and discharge him; and the bail bond shall be regarded in every respect as other bail bonds, and shall be returned and sued on in like manner; and the officer taking it shall make special return thereof, with the bond, at the first court which is held after it is taken. (R.C., c. 11; s. 8; Code, s. 318; Rev., s. 748; C.S., s. 788.)

§ 1‑431. When sheriff liable as bail.

If, after arrest, the defendant escapes, or is rescued, or bail is not given or justified, or a deposit is not made instead thereof, the sheriff is himself liable as bail. But he may discharge himself from such liability by the giving and justification of bail at any time before process against the person of the defendant to enforce an order or judgment in the action. (C.C.P., s. 171; Code, s. 313; Rev., s. 749; C.S., s. 789.)

§ 1‑432. Action on sheriff's bond.

If a judgment is recovered against the sheriff, upon his liability as bail, and an execution thereon is returned wholly or partly unsatisfied, the same proceedings may be had on the official bond of the sheriff, to collect the deficiency, as in other cases of delinquency. (C.C.P., s. 172; Code, s. 314; Rev., s. 750; C.S., s. 790.)

§ 1‑433. Bail exonerated.

At any time before final judgment against them, the bail may be exonerated, either by the death of the defendant or his imprisonment in a State prison, or by his legal discharge from the obligation to render himself amenable to the process, or by his surrender to the sheriff of the county where he was arrested, in execution of the judgment. (C.C.P., s. 161; Code, s. 303; Rev., s. 751; C.S., s. 791.)

§ 1‑434. Surrender of defendant.

At any time before final judgment against them, the bail may surrender the defendant in their exoneration, or he may surrender himself to the sheriff of the county where he was arrested, in the following manner:

(1) A certified copy of the undertaking of the bail shall be delivered to the sheriff, who shall detain the defendant in his custody thereon, as upon an order of arrest, and acknowledge the surrender by a certificate in writing.

(2) Upon the production of a copy of the undertaking and sheriff's certificate, the court or judge may, upon a notice to the plaintiff of ten days, with a copy of the certificate, order that the bail be exonerated, and on filing the order and papers used on said application they shall be exonerated accordingly. But this section does not apply to an arrest in an action to recover the possession of personal property unjustly detained, so as to discharge the bail from an undertaking given to the effect provided by law to be given by defendant for the retention of property, under the Article entitled Claim and Delivery. (C.C.P., s. 158; Code, s. 300; Rev., s. 752; C.S., s. 792.)

§ 1‑435. Bail may arrest defendant.

For the purpose of surrendering the defendant, the bail, at any time or place, before they are finally charged, may themselves arrest him, or by a written authority endorsed on a certified copy of the undertaking may empower any person over 21 years of age to do so. (C.C.P., s. 159; Code, s. 301; Rev., s. 753; C.S., s. 793.)

§ 1‑436. Proceedings against bail by motion.

In case of failure to comply with the undertaking the bail may be proceeded against by motion in the cause on 10 days' notice to them. (C.C.P., s. 160; Code, s. 302; Rev., s. 754; C.S., s. 794.)

§ 1‑437. Liability of bail to sheriff.

The bail taken upon the arrest are, unless they justify, or other bail are given or justified, liable to the sheriff by action for damages which he may sustain by reason of such omission. (C.C.P., s. 173; Code, s. 315; Rev., s. 755; C.S., s. 795.)

§ 1‑438. When bail to pay costs.

When a notice issues against a person, as the bail of another, and the bail, at or before the term of the court at which he is bound to appear, or ought to plead, is not discharged from his liability by the death or surrender of his principal or otherwise, he is liable for all costs which accrue on said notice, notwithstanding he may be afterwards discharged, by the death or surrender of the principal, or otherwise. (R.C., c. 11, s. 10; Code, s. 319; Rev., s. 756; C.S., s. 796.)

§ 1‑439. Bail not discharged by amendment.

No amendment of process or pleading discharges the bail of the party arrested thereon, unless it enlarges the sum demanded beyond the sum expressed in the bail bond. (R.C., c. 11, s. 11; Code, s. 320; Rev., s. 757; C.S., s. 797.)

Article 35.

Attachment.

Part 1. General Provisions.

§ 1‑440. Superseded by Session Laws 1947, c. 693, codified as § 1‑ 440.1 et seq.

§ 1‑440.1. Nature of attachment.

(a) Attachment is a proceeding ancillary to a pending principal action, is in the nature of a preliminary execution against property, and is intended to bring property of a defendant within the legal custody of the court in order that it may subsequently be applied to the satisfaction of any judgment for money which may be rendered against the defendant in the principal action.

(b) No personal judgment, even for costs, may be rendered against a defendant unless personal jurisdiction has been acquired as provided in G.S. 1‑75.3.

(c) Although there is no personal service on the defendant, or on an agent for him, and although he does not make a general appearance, judgment may be rendered in an action in which property of the defendant has been attached which judgment shall provide for the application of the attached property, by the method set out in G.S. 1‑ 440.46, to the satisfaction of the plaintiff's claim as established in the principal action. If plaintiff's claim is not thereby satisfied in full, subsequent actions for the unsatisfied balance are not barred. (1947, c. 693, s. 1; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

§ 1‑440.2. Actions in which attachment may be had.

Attachment may be had in any action the purpose of which, in whole or in part, or in the alternative, is to secure a judgment for money, or in any action for alimony or for maintenance and support, or an action for the support of a minor child, but not in any other action. (1947, c. 693, s. 1; 1967, c. 1152, s. 4; c. 1153, s. 3.)

§ 1‑440.3. Grounds for attachment.

In those actions in which attachment may be had under the provisions of G.S. 1‑440.2, an order of attachment may be issued when the defendant is

(1) A nonresident, or

(2) A foreign corporation, or

(3) A domestic corporation, whose president, vice‑president, secretary or treasurer cannot be found in the State after due diligence, or

(4) A resident of the State who, with intent to defraud his creditors or to avoid service of summons,

a. Has departed, or is about to depart, from the State, or

b. Keeps himself concealed therein, or

(5) A person or domestic corporation which, with intent to defraud his or its creditors,

a. Has removed, or is about to remove, property from this State, or

b. Has assigned, disposed of, or secreted, or is about to assign, dispose of, or secrete, property. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.4. Property subject to attachment.

All of a defendant's property within this State which is subject to levy under execution, or which in supplemental proceedings in aid of execution is subject to the satisfaction of a judgment for money, is subject to attachment under the conditions prescribed by this Article. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.5. By whom order issued; when and where; filing of bond and affidavit.

(a) An order of attachment may be issued by

(1) The clerk of the court in which the action has been, or is being, commenced, or by

(2) A judge of the appropriate trial division, as authorized in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) An order of attachment issued by a judge may be issued as follows:

(1) If the action has been or is being commenced in the Superior Court Division, a resident superior court judge of the district, or a judge regularly holding the superior courts of the district, may issue the order in open court or in chambers, in session or in vacation, and within or without the district. Any other judge holding a session of superior court in the county may issue the order in open court.

(2) If the action has been or is being commenced in the District Court Division, the presiding judge, the chief district judge, or any district judge authorized by the chief to hear motions and enter interlocutory orders may issue the order in open court or in chambers in session or in vacation.

(c) In those cases where the order of attachment is issued by the judge, such judge shall cause the bond required by G.S. 1‑440.10 and the affidavit required by G.S. 1‑440.11 to be filed promptly with the clerk of the court of the county in which the action is pending. (1947, c. 693, s. 1; 1971, c. 268, s. 30.)

§ 1‑440.6. Time of issuance with reference to summons or service by publication.

(a) The order of attachment may be issued at the time the summons is issued or at any time thereafter.

(b) No order of attachment may be issued in any action after judgment in the principal action is had in the superior court. (1947, c. 693, s. 1; 1967, c. 954, s. 3.)

§ 1‑440.7. Time within which service of summons or service by publication must be had.

(a) When an order of attachment is issued before the summons is served.

(1) If personal service within the State is to be had, such personal service must be had within 30 days after the issuance of the order of attachment;

(2) If such personal service within the State is not to be had,

a. Service of the summons outside the State, in the manner provided by Rule 4(j)(9)a or b of the Rules of Civil Procedure, must be had within 30 days after the issuance of the order of attachment, or

b. Service by publication must be commenced not later than the thirty‑first day after the issuance of the order of attachment. If publication is commenced, such publication must be completed as provided by Rule 4(j)(9)c of the Rules of Civil Procedure unless the defendant appears in the action or unless personal service is had on him within the State.

(b) Upon failure of compliance with the applicable provisions of subsection (a) of this section, either the clerk or the judge shall, upon the motion of the defendant or any other interested party, make an order dissolving the attachment, and the defendant shall have all the rights that would accrue to him under the provisions of G.S. 1‑440.45, the same as if the principal action had been prosecuted to judgment and the defendant had prevailed therein. (1947, c. 693, s. 1; 1967, c. 954, s. 3; 1971, c. 1093, ss. 14, 15.)

§ 1‑440.8. General provisions relative to bonds.

(a) Any bond given pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall be executed by the party required to furnish the bond and by

(1) A surety company authorized to do business in this State, as provided by G.S. 58‑73‑5, or by

(2) One or more individual sureties, as may be required by the court.

(b) Each individual surety shall execute an affidavit, to be attached to the bond, stating that he is a resident of the State and that he is worth the amount specified in the bond exclusive of property exempt from execution and over and above all his liabilities.

(d) It is not a defense in an action on any bond given pursuant to this Article that

(1) The court had no jurisdiction to require or accept bond, or

(2) The order of attachment was improperly granted, or

(3) There was any other irregularity in the attachment proceeding. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.9. Authority of court to fix procedural details.

The court of proper jurisdiction, before which any matter is pending under the provisions of this Article, shall have authority to fix and determine all necessary procedural details in all instances in which the statute fails to make definite provision as to such procedure. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

Part 2. Procedure to Secure Attachment.

§ 1‑440.10. Bond for attachment.

Before the court issues an order of attachment, the plaintiff must furnish a bond as follows:

(1) The amount of the bond shall be such as may be fixed by the court issuing the order of attachment and shall be such as may be deemed necessary by the court in order to afford reasonable protection to the defendant, but shall not be less than two hundred dollars ($200.00);

(2) The condition of the bond shall be that

a. If the order of attachment is dissolved, dismissed or set aside by the court, or

b. If the plaintiff fails to obtain judgment against the defendant, the plaintiff will pay all costs that may be awarded to the defendant and all damages that the defendant may sustain by reason of the attachment, the surety's liability, however, to be limited to the amount of the bond. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.11. Affidavit for attachment; amendment.

(a) To secure an order of attachment, the plaintiff, or his agent or attorney in his behalf, must state by affidavit

(1) In every case:

a. The plaintiff has commenced or is about to commence an action, the purpose of which, in whole or in part, or in the alternative, is to secure a judgment for money, and the amount thereof,

b. The nature of such action, and

c. The ground or grounds for attachment (one or more of those stated in G.S. 1‑440.3); and

(2) In those cases described below, the additional facts indicated:

a. If the action is based on breach of contract, that the plaintiff is entitled to recover the amount for which judgment is sought over and above all counterclaims known to him;

b. If it is alleged as a ground for attachment that the defendant has done, or is about to do, any act with intent to defraud his creditors, the facts and circumstances supporting such allegation.

(b) A verified complaint may be used as the affidavit required by this section.

(c) The court, in its discretion, at any time before judgment in the principal action, may allow any such affidavit to be amended even though the original affidavit is wholly insufficient.

(d) An amendment of an insufficient affidavit of attachment relates to the beginning of the attachment proceeding, and no rights based on such irregularity can be required by any third party by any subsequent attachment intervening between the original affidavit and the amendment. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.12. Order of attachment; form and contents.

(a) If the matters required by G.S. 1‑440.11(a) are shown by affidavit to the satisfaction of the court and if the bond required by G.S. 1‑440.10 is furnished, the court shall issue an order of attachment which shall

(1) Show the venue, the court in which the action has been, or is being, commenced, and the title of the action;

(2) Run in the name of the State and be directed to the sheriff of a designated county;

(3) State that an affidavit for the attachment of the defendant's property has been filed with the court in the action, that the required attachment bond has been executed and delivered to the court and that it has been made to appear to the satisfaction of the court that the allegations of the plaintiff's affidavit for attachment are true;

(4) Direct the sheriff to attach and safely keep all of the property of the defendant within the sheriff's county which is subject to attachment, or so much thereof as is sufficient to satisfy the plaintiff's demand, together with costs and expenses;

(5) Direct that the order of attachment be returned to the clerk of the court in which the action is pending;

(6) Show the date of issuance; and

(7) Be signed by clerk or the judge issuing the order.

(b) The order of attachment shall not contain a return date, but shall be returned to the clerk as provided by G.S. 1‑440.16. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.13. Additional orders of attachment at time of original order; alias and pluries orders.

(a) At the time the original order of attachment is issued, or thereafter, one or more additional orders, at the request of the plaintiff, may be issued, and any such additional order may be directed to the sheriff of any county in which the defendant may have property.

(b) After the original order or orders have been returned, if no property or, in the opinion of the plaintiff, insufficient property has been attached thereunder, alias or pluries orders may be issued prior to judgment, at the request of the plaintiff, and such alias or pluries orders may be directed to the sheriff of any county in which the defendant may have property. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.14. Notice of issuance of order of attachment when no personal service.

(a) When service of process by publication is made subsequent to the original order of attachment, the published and mailed notice of service of process shall include notice of the issuance of the order of attachment.

(b) When the original order of attachment is issued after publication is begun, a notice of the issuance of the order of attachment shall be published once a week for four successive weeks in some newspaper published in the county in which the action is pending, such publication to be commenced within 30 days after the issuance of the order of attachment. Such notice shall show

(1) The county and the court in which the action is pending,

(2) The names of the parties,

(3) The purpose of the action, and

(4) The fact that on a date specified an order was issued to attach the defendant's property.

(1) Shall be published once a week for four successive weeks in some newspaper published in the same district court district as defined in G.S. 7A‑133 or superior court district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A‑41.1, as the case may be, or

(2) Shall be posted at the courthouse door in the county for 30 days. (1947, c. 693, s. 1; 1967, c. 954, s. 3; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1037, s. 40.)

Part 3. Execution of Order of Attachment; Garnishment.

§ 1‑440.15. Method of execution.

(a) The sheriff to whom the order of attachment is directed shall note thereon the date of its delivery to him and shall promptly execute it by levying on the defendant's property as follows:

(1) The levy on real property shall be made as provided by G.S. 1‑440.17;

(2) The levy on stock in a corporation shall be made as provided by G.S. 1‑440.19;

(3) The levy on goods stored in a warehouse shall be made as provided by G.S. 1‑440.20;

(4) The levy on tangible personal property in the possession of the defendant shall, except as provided in G.S. 1‑440.19, be made as provided by G.S. 1‑440.18;

(5) The levy on tangible personal property belonging to the defendant but not in his possession, or on any indebtedness to the defendant, or on any other intangible personal property belonging to the defendant, shall, except as provided by G.S. 1‑440.19 and 1‑440.20, be made as provided by G.S. 1‑440.25 relating to garnishment.

(b) The sheriff is not required to levy upon personal property before levying upon real property.

(c) In order for the sheriff to make any levy, it is not necessary for him to deliver to the defendant or any other person any copy of the order of attachment or any other process except in the case of garnishment as provided by G.S. 1‑440.25. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.16. Sheriff's return.

(a) After the sheriff has executed an order of attachment, he shall promptly make a written return showing all property levied upon by him and the date of such levy. In such return, he shall describe the property levied upon in sufficient detail to identify the property clearly. The sheriff forthwith shall deliver the order of attachment, together with his return, to the court in which the action is pending.

(b) If garnishment process is issued, as provided by G.S. 1‑440.23 and 1‑440.24, the sheriff shall include in his return a report of his proceedings with respect to such garnishment and shall return to the court the original process issued to the garnishee.

(c) If the sheriff makes no levy within 10 days after the issuance of the order of attachment, he forthwith shall deliver to the court, in which the action is pending, the order, and any other process relating thereto, together with his return showing that no levy has been made and the reason therefor. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.17. Levy on real property.

(a) In order to make a levy on real property, the sheriff need not go upon the land or take control over it, but he

(1) Shall make an endorsement upon the order of attachment or shall attach thereto a statement showing that he thereby levies upon the defendant's interest in the real property described in such endorsement or statement, describing the real property in sufficient detail to identify it clearly, and

(2) Shall, as promptly as practicable, certify such levy, and the names of the parties to the action, to the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the land lies.

(b) Upon receipt of the sheriff's certificate, the clerk shall docket the levy, as provided by G.S. 1‑440.33. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.18. Levy on tangible personal property in defendant's possession.

The sheriff shall levy on tangible personal property in the possession of the defendant by seizing and taking into his possession so much thereof as will be sufficient to satisfy the plaintiff's demands. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.19. Levy on stock in corporation.

(a) The sheriff may levy, as on tangible property, on a share of stock in a corporation by seizing the certificate of stock

(1) When the certificate is in the possession of the defendant, and

(2) When, by the law of the state in which the corporation is incorporated, the property interest of the stockholder is embodied in the certificate of stock, as is provided by the Uniform Stock Transfer Act or similar legislation.

(b) The sheriff may levy on a share of stock in a corporation by delivery of copies of the garnishment process to the proper officer or agent of such corporation, as set out in G.S. 1‑440.26,

(1) When, by the law of the state in which the corporation is incorporated, the property interest of the stockholder is not embodied in the certificate of stock, or

(2) When, by the law of the state in which the corporation is incorporated, the property interest of the stockholder is embodied in the certificate of the stock, as is provided by the Uniform Stock Transfer Act or similar legislation, and

a. Such certificate has been surrendered to the corporation which issued it, or

b. The transfer of such certificate by the holder thereof has been restrained or enjoined.

(c) A restraining order or injunction against the transfer of a certificate of stock, when proper in an attachment proceeding, may be granted by the clerk or judge pursuant to a motion in the cause to which the attachment is ancillary. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.20. Levy on goods in warehouses.

(a) The sheriff may levy on goods delivered to a warehouseman for storage, by delivering copies of the garnishment process to the warehouseman, or to the proper officer or agent for the corporate warehouseman, as set out in G.S. 1‑440.26,

(1) If a negotiable warehouse receipt has not been issued with respect thereto, or

(2) If a negotiable warehouse receipt has been issued with respect thereto, and

a. Such receipt is seized, or

b. Such receipt is surrendered to the warehouseman who issued it, or

c. The transfer of such receipt by the holder thereof is restrained or enjoined.

(b) A restraining order or injunction against the transfer of a negotiable warehouse receipt, when proper in an attachment proceeding, may be granted by the clerk or judge pursuant to a motion in the cause to which the attachment is ancillary. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.21. Nature of garnishment.

(a) Garnishment is not an independent action but is a proceeding ancillary to attachment and is the remedy for discovering and subjecting to attachment

(1) Tangible personal property belonging to the defendant but not in his possession, and

(2) Any indebtedness to the defendant and any other intangible personal property belonging to him.

(b) A garnishee is a person, firm, association, or corporation to which such a summons as specified by G.S. 1‑440.23 is issued. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.22. Issuance of summons to garnishee.

(a) A summons to garnishee may be issued

(1) At the time of the issuance of the original order of attachment, by the court making such order, or

(2) At any time thereafter prior to judgment in the principal action, by the court in which the action is pending.

(b) At the request of the plaintiff, such summons to garnishee shall, at either such time, be issued to each person designated by the plaintiff as a garnishee. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.23. Form of summons to garnishee.

The summons to garnishee shall be substantially in the following form:

State of North Carolina In the Superior Court

__________County

____________________,

Plaintiff,

vs.

____________________, Summons to Garnishee

Defendant,

and

____________________,

Garnishee.

To____________, Garnishee:

You are hereby summoned, as a garnishee of the defendant, ________, and required, within twenty days after the service of this summons upon you, to file a verified answer in the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of the above named county, at________, North Carolina, showing –

(1) Whether, at the time of the service of this summons upon you, or at any time since then until the date of your answer, you were indebted to the defendant or had any property of his in your possession and, if so, the amount and nature thereof; and

(2) Whether, according to your knowledge, information or belief, any other person is indebted to the defendant or has any property of the defendant in his possession and, if so, the name of each such person.

In case of your failure to file such answer a conditional judgment will be rendered against you for the full amount for which the plaintiff has prayed judgment against the defendant, together with such amount as will be sufficient to cover the plaintiff's costs.

This the ______day of________, _______

__________________________________

(Here designate Clerk Superior

Court or Judge.)

(1947, c. 693, s. 1; 1999‑456, s. 59.)

§ 1‑440.24. Form of notice of levy in garnishment proceeding.

The notice of levy to be served on the garnishee shall be substantially in the following form:

State of North Carolina In the Superior Court

________ County

________________,

Plaintiff,

vs.

_______________, Notice to Levy

Defendant,

and

________________,

Garnishee.

To ______________ Garnishee:

By virtue of the authority contained in an order of attachment issued by the Superior Court of ______ County and directed to me, I hereby levy upon any and all property that you have or hold in your possession for the account, use, or benefit of the defendant, and upon all debts owed by you to the defendant.

You are notified that a lien is hereby created on all the tangible property of the defendant in your possession, and that if you surrender the possession of, or transfer to anyone, any property belonging to the defendant, or if you pay any debt you owe the defendant, unless the same is delivered or paid to me or to the court for such proper disposition as the court may determine, you will be subject to punishment as for contempt, and that judgment may be rendered against you for the value of such property not exceeding the full amount of plaintiff's claim and costs of the action.

This the ____ day of _____, ___

___________________________

Sheriff of ________ County.

(1947, c. 693, s. 1; 1999‑456, s. 59.)

§ 1‑440.25. Levy upon debt owed by, or property in possession of, the garnishee.

The levy in all cases of garnishment shall be made by delivering to the garnishee, or a process agent authorized by him or expressly or impliedly authorized by law, or some representative of a corporate garnishee designated by G.S. 1‑440.26, a copy of each of the following:

(1) The order of attachment,

(2) The summons to garnishee, and

(3) The notice of levy. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.26. To whom garnishment process may be delivered when garnishee is corporation.

(a) When the garnishee is a domestic corporation, the copies of the process listed in G.S. 1‑440.25 may be delivered to the president or other head, secretary, cashier, treasurer, director, managing agent or local agent of the corporation.

(b) When the garnishee is a foreign corporation, the copies of the process listed in G.S. 1‑440.25 may be delivered only to the president, treasurer or secretary thereof personally and while such officer is within the State, except that

(1) If the corporation has property within this State, or

(2) If the cause of action arose in this State, or

(3) If the plaintiff resides in this State,

the copies of the process may be delivered to any of the persons designated in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) A person receiving or collecting money within this State on behalf of a corporation is deemed to be a local agent of the corporation for the purpose of this section. (1947, c. 693, s. 1.)

§ 1‑440.27. Failure of garnishee to appear.

(a) When a garnishee, after being duly summoned, fails to file a verified answer as required, the clerk of the court shall enter a conditional judgment for the plaintiff against the garnishee for the full amount for which the plaintiff shall have prayed judgment against the defendant, together with such amount as in the opinion of the clerk will be sufficient to cover the plaintiff's costs.

(b) The clerk shall thereupon issue a notice to the garnishee requiring him to appear not later than 10 days after the date of service of the notice, and show cause why the conditional judgment shall not be mad