North Carolina Practice
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This guide describes the main works located in the law library (including electronic access, where available) dealing with North Carolina law. The Clarence W. Walker North Carolina Alcove (Level 3) houses most North Carolina legal materials in print, although additional titles are available in the General Collection (Level 2) and the Reserve Collection (Level 3).
There are two print choices for statutory code research in North Carolina. The General Statutes of North Carolina, the official version published by Lexis Publishing, and West's North Carolina General Statutes Annotated are located in both the North Carolina Alcove and also with the other State Codes (Level 3). Electronic versions of the General Statutes of North Carolina Annotated can be found in Lexis Advance (Law School users only) and in the university-wide database Nexis Uni. West’s North Carolina General Statutes Annotated can be found electronically on Westlaw (Law School users only). Unannotated versions of the General Statutes are also provided online by the North Carolina General Assembly, on Bloomberg Law (Law School users only), and in the university-wide database Fastcase.
The General Assembly's Legislation page also provides the texts of bills and bill status information from 1985 forward, and session laws back to 1959. Earlier session laws, from colonial times to present day, are digitized in HeinOnline’s Session Laws Library. For an annual survey of new legislation passed by the General Assembly, see Legislative Summaries (formerly a print series called North Carolina Legislation, available in Superseded Ref. KFN7821 .N864 1974-2008).
The official North Carolina case reporters and the North Carolina Reporter (containing North Carolina cases from the South Eastern Reporter), as well as the North Carolina Digest and Shepard's North Carolina Citations, are located in the North Carolina Alcove on Level 3. Additional copies of the official reporters are on Level 2 in KFN. Opinions of the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals (1998-present) are also available on the Administrative Office of the Courts' website.
Briefs for many North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases are located in the NC Records & Briefs collection (Level 1), organized by opinion citation. Briefs and records for cases filed beginning in 1998 are available online. Recent briefs from the Supreme Court are also on microfiche in the Microforms Room. For more information about finding records and briefs generally, view the Court Records and Briefs Research Guide.
Proposed executive agency regulations are first published in the North Carolina Register (weekly), and once passed, are incorporated into the North Carolina Administrative Code. Current editions of both the Register and the Code are located in the North Carolina Alcove and are available online from the state Office of Administrative Hearings. Historical editions of the NC Register can be found at the call number KFN7436 .N67 (from 1986); prior editions of the Administrative Code can be found in the Superseded Codes collection and in the Microforms Room on Level 1.
For current awareness and news about North Carolina law and lawyers, see North Carolina Lawyers Weekly (NC Alcove & online; see Reference Desk for access).
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts provides information about the North Carolina court system at: http://www.nccourts.org/, including the introductory publication The North Carolina Judicial System (2008).
The Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the North Carolina Judicial Directory, available online. The online directory replaces two print versions that can be found in Superseded Reference. Previous editions of the Courts Directory can be found on Level 1 in Superseded Reference KFN7908 .A19 C68. Previous editions of the Judges Directory can be found in Superseded Reference KFN7908 .A19 N67 (1990-2002).
Annotated Rules of North Carolina (annual). Shelved with all copies of General Statutes of North Carolina.
North Carolina Rules of Court West, 2 vols. (annual). This commercial publication includes rules for practice in state courts and local federal courts, as well as ethics rules and NC Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence. It is shelved in the NC Alcove and on Reserve.
Style Manual for the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure. Appellate Rules Committee of The North Carolina Bar Association, 2017. The current style manual; other resources concerning court rules are available on this site.
Researching North Carolina legislative history can be challenging. For guidance, consult chapter 6 of Childs & Sampson’s North Carolina Legal Research, 2d ed. (Ref. KFN7475 .C48 2014). Many resources are available in Raleigh at the North Carolina Legislative Library and the North Carolina Supreme Court Library.
However, some North Carolina legislative history materials have been digitized. The General Assembly website includes selected study reports back to 1927 and journals from 2001 to the present (click on House or Senate to access the appropriate journals). Historical journals of the North Carolina Senate (1858 to 1969) are also available on the Internet Archive. House Journals from 1869 to 1969 are also available on the Internet Archive. The Goodson Law Library also has many of these journal volumes in print.
The North Carolina State Bar Directory. Online member lookup of licensed attorneys in the state.
North Carolina Bar Association ... [Membership Directory]. Current information can be found online (member login required). Previous editions of the directory, which was published annually, can be found in Superseded Reference KF192 .N67 N672 and date from 1998-2004.
North Carolina Legal Directory. Legal Directories Publishing Co. (annual). (Ref. Desk KF192 .N67).
North Carolina General Practice Deskbook. 4v. 3d ed. 2004 (on Bloomberg Law & Lexis Advance).
North Carolina Practical Skills (formerly titled Practical Skills Course). North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, last published in 2011 (KFN7481 .P73)
Strong's North Carolina Index, 4th ed. Lawyers Cooperative, 1990- . (NC Alcove; also available on Westlaw under State Materials > North Carolina > Secondary Sources, or by typing "NCINDEX" into search bar).
The official forms published by the Administrative Office of the Courts are available in the North Carolina Judicial Department Forms Manual (NC Alcove KFN7468 .N677 1984- ). An increasing number of these same forms are now available on the AOC's website, and there is also an index to the forms available.
For more form book entries, please review the Legal Forms research guide.
- Douglas, R.D., Douglas' Forms. 5 vols. (NC Alcove KFN7468 .D682 & online in Lexis Advance).
- Cole, Sean A.B. North Carolina Manual of Complaints. 6th ed. (NC Alcove KFN7935.A65 N67 2015).
- Price, R.M., North Carolina Criminal Trial Practice Forms. 6th ed. (NC Alcove KFN7975 .A65 P742 2015 & online in Westlaw).
- Thorp, W.L., Thorp's North Carolina Trial Practice Forms. 7th ed. (NC Alcove KFN7930 .A65 T48 & online in Westlaw).
- Van Camp, J.R., et al., North Carolina Criminal Procedure Forms with Commentary. 3d ed. (NC Alcove KFN7975.A65V3 1989).
North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges, North Carolina Pattern Jury Instructions for Civil Cases. (NC Alcove KFN7942 .A6 N69 & online; also available in Westlaw).
North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges, North Carolina Pattern Jury Instructions for Criminal Cases. (NC Alcove KFN7942 .A6 N691 & online; also available in Westlaw).
North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges, North Carolina Pattern Jury Instructions for Motor Vehicle Negligence. (NC Alcove KFN7942 .A6 N692 & online; also available in Westlaw).
A. Administrative Law
North Carolina General Practice Deskbook. 4v. 3d ed. 2004 (on Bloomberg Law & Lexis Advance). Volume II, chapter 1 focuses on administrative law topics.
Poyner & Spruill, North Carolina Administrative Law Guide (NC Alcove KFN7840 .N67 1996).
What Administrative Law Professionals Need to Know. North Carolina Bar Association Foundation. (KFN7840.A75 A36 2011).
B. Business Organizations
Robinson, R.M., Robinson on North Carolina Corporation Law, 7th ed. (NC Alcove KFN 7613 .R622 & online in Lexis Advance).
Snyder, J.E., North Carolina Corporation Law and Practice. 4th ed. (KFN7613 .N67 2003 & online in Westlaw).
Sparrow, Jason, ed., North Carolina General Practitioner’s Guide to Business Law (2010). Available online in Bloomberg Law & Lexis Advance.
Johnson, Cyrus M., Jr., North Carolina Limited Liability Company : Forms and Practice Manual. 3d ed. (NC Alcove KFN7607.5.A65 J643).
C. Civil Procedure
Anderson, Ann M. Relief from Judgment in North Carolina Civil Cases. (NC Alcove KFN7930 .A7563 2016).
Cole, Sean A.B. North Carolina Manual of Complaints. 6th ed. (NC Alcove KFN7935.A65 N67 2015).
MacGregor, Doug S. and Alyssa Rosen, Elements of Civil Causes of Action in North Carolina (NC Alcove KFN7933 .M33 2009 & online in Bloomberg Law & Lexis Advance).
Wilson, G.G., North Carolina Civil Procedure, 3d ed. (NC Alcove KFN7930.W55 2007 & online in Lexis Advance).
Woodlief, Alan D., Shuford North Carolina Civil Practice and Procedure (formerly Howell’s). Annual. (NC Alcove KFN7930 .S53 & online in Westlaw).
D. Criminal Law and Procedure
Farb, R.L., Arrest, Search and Investigation in North Carolina. 5th ed. School of Government. (NC Alcove KFN7976 .F37 2016).
Markham, James M. North Carolina Sentencing Handbook (annual). (NC Alcove KFN7983.2 .M376).
North Carolina Criminal and Traffic Law Manual. Michie (annual). (NC Alcove KFN7961 .A29 N673).
Price, R.M., North Carolina Criminal Trial Practice Forms, annual. (NC Alcove KFN7975 .A65 P74 2011 & online in Westlaw).
Price, Ron M., Search and Seizure (2011). Available online in Bloomberg Law.
Randall, Samuel J. IV & Ryan D. Stump, Criminal Procedure in North Carolina. 4th ed. (NC Alcove KFN7975 .J69 2015 & online in Lexis Advance).
Smith, Jessica, North Carolina Crimes: A Guidebook on the Elements of Crime. 7th ed. (NC Alcove KFN7963 .C42 2012) and Criminal Proceedings Before North Carolina Magistrates (NC Alcove KFN7920 .S65 2014)..
Welty, J., North Carolina Capital Case Law Handbook. 3d ed. School of Government. (KFN7965 .C2 F37 2013).
E. Debtor/Creditor Law
Basics of Bankruptcy. North Carolina Bar Association Foundation. (KFN7621 .B38 2011).
Crowder, Deborah T. and Heather W. Culp, eds. North Carolina Bankruptcy Practice Manual. North Carolina Bar Association Foundation. (NC Alcove KFN7621 .N67 2012 & online in Bloomberg Law).
F. Elder Law
Basics of Elder Law. North Carolina Bar Association Foundation. (KFN7491.A3 .B37 2011).
Elder Law Symposium. North Carolina Bar Association Foundation (annual). (KFN7491 .A3N57).
G. Employment Law
Fundamentals of Employment Law. North Carolina Bar Association Foundation. (KFN7734.5 .D5 F85 2011).
Jernigan, L.T., North Carolina Workers' Compensation: Law and Practice, with Forms, 4th ed. (NC Alcove KFN7742 .J47 & online in Westlaw).
Jones, Tracey and S. Camille Payton, North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Forms Manual 2d ed. (2009). Available online in Bloomberg Law.
North Carolina Employer's Guide. (NC Alcove KFN7734 .S863).
H. Environmental Law
Basics of Environmental Law. North Carolina Bar Association Foundation. (KFN7754 .A75 B37 2011).
Owens, David W. Land Use Law in North Carolina, 2d ed. UNC School of Government. (NC Alcove KFN7858 .O9497 2011).
I. Estate Planning and Probate
McLamb, Janet and Lisa K. Vira, Edwards’ North Carolina Probate Handbook. (NC Alcove KFN7544.A65 E39, updated annually, & online in Westlaw).
Huggard, J.P., North Carolina Estate Settlement Practice Guide. 2d ed. (NC Alcove KFN7547 .H843 2013 & online in Westlaw).
McLaughlin, J.B. and Richard T. Bowser, Wiggins’ Wills and Administration of Estates in North Carolina. 4th ed. (NC Alcove KFN7544 .W5 & online in Westlaw).
Oesterreich, Tanya N. and Amy H. Kincaid, eds., North Carolina Estate Administration Manual, 8th ed. (2016). Available online in Bloomberg Law & Lexis Advance.
J. Evidence
Blakey, Walker J., et al. North Carolina Evidence ... Courtroom Manual (annual). (NC Alcove KFN7940 .B53 & online in Lexis Advance).
Brandis & Broun on North Carolina Evidence. 7th ed. 2 vols. (NC Alcove KFN7940 .S82 & online in Lexis Advance).
Brobst, Jennifer A., Admissibility of Evidence in North Carolina. annual. (NC Alcove KFN7940 .F69 & online in Westlaw).
Mosteller, Robert P. North Carolina Evidentiary Foundations, 3d ed. (NC Alcove KFN7940 .N66 2014 & online in Lexis Advance).
Welty, Jeff. Digital Evidence (NC Alcove KFN7940 .W45 2015).
K. Family Law
Kelso, L.T., North Carolina Family Law Practice. 2 vols. (NC Alcove KFN7494 .K44 & online in Westlaw).
Reynolds, S., Lee’s North Carolina Family Law. 5th ed. 4 vols. (NC Alcove KFN7494 .L47 1993 & online in Lexis Advance).
Griffiths, Debra and Lee Hawley, eds., North Carolina Family Law Marital Claims, 3d ed. (NC Alcove KFN7494 .N67 2012 & online in Bloomberg Law & Lexis Advance).
L. Juvenile Law (Child Abuse/Neglect & Juvenile Delinquency)
Hatcher, Kella W. Abuse, Neglect, Dependency, and Termination of Parental Rights Proceedings in North Carolina. UNC School of Government. (2015 ed. online).
Newman, Lou A. North Carolina Juvenile Defender Manual. UNC School of Government. (NC Alcove KFN7995 .N49 2008).
M. Landlord and Tenant Law
North Carolina General Practice Deskbook. 4v. 3d ed. 2004 (on Bloomberg Law & Lexis Advance). Volume I, chapter VI provides landlord/tenant law overview.
N. Motor Vehicles
Garrett, Chad. The ABC’s of Traffic Law: Do’s and Don’ts of Traffic Court. (NC Alcove KFN7697 .G37 2011 & online in Lexis Advance).
North Carolina Criminal and Traffic Law Manual. Michie (annual). (NC Alcove KFN7961 .A29 N673).
Snyder, J.E., Snyder North Carolina Automobile Insurance Law, 3d ed. (NC Alcove KFN7591 .A4 S69 & online in Westlaw).
O. Real Property and Property Taxation
Urban, K.T. North Carolina Real Estate: With Forms, 3d ed. 2 vols. (NC Alcove KFN7526 .U73 2014 & online in Westlaw).
Webster, J.A., Webster's Real Estate Law in North Carolina: Possessory Estates and Present Interest in Real Property, 6th ed. 2 vols. loose-leaf (NC Alcove KFN7512 .W432 & online in Lexis Advance).
Schaaf, Scott A. and Robert H. Sheppard, eds., North Carolina Real Property Book and Forms (2011). Available online in Bloomberg Law.
P. Taxation
North Carolina Tax Reporter. Commerce Clearing House, 1982- . 2 vols. (Tax Collection KFN7870 .A6 C65 & online in IntelliConnect)
Q. Torts
Elliott, R.M., et al., eds., North Carolina Prima Facie Tort Manual. 7th ed. North Carolina Advocates for Justice. (NC Alcove KFN7595 .N66 2017).
Daye, Charles E. & Mark W. Morris, North Carolina Law of Torts. 3d ed. (NC Alcove KFN7595 .D39 2012 & online in Lexis Advance).
Woodlief, Alan D., North Carolina Law of Damages. 5th ed. 2 vols. (KFN 7595 .H53 & online in Westlaw).
Nichols, Christopher R., North Carolina Personal Injury Liens Manual, 4th ed (NC Alcove KFN7576.L5 N67 2016 & online in Lexis Advance).
R. Trial Practice and Appellate Advocacy
Herman, G.N., North Carolina Civil Trial Practice: With Application of the N.C. Rules of Practice. Juris (NC Alcove KFN7938 .H47 2012).
Braudway, Bonnie M., ed., North Carolina General Practitioner’s Guide to Litigation (2012). Available online in Bloomberg Law.
S. Additional Practice Areas of Interest
Works on other topics, or additional works on the topics listed above, can be found with a search of the Duke University Libraries catalog with a keyword or subject search including the phrase north carolina; e.g., mental health laws – north carolina.
rev. 10/2017 jlb