GENERAL CIVIL ACTION COVER SHEET
State of North Carolina – In The General Court of Justice
[☐ Superior Court Division] [☐ District Court Division]
County of [__]
File No.: [__]
[// GUIDANCE: This form is drafted to comply with Rule 5 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts of North Carolina and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) filing protocols. It is NOT a pleading and does not replace the complaint or other initiating documents. Attach this Cover Sheet as the first page of every new civil action, third-party action, cross-claim, or counterclaim filed in state court.]
1. Case Caption
Plaintiff(s): [________]
Defendant(s): [____________]
2. Initial Pleading Type
(Check one)
☐ Complaint ☐ Third-Party Complaint
☐ Counterclaim ☐ Cross-Claim
☐ Petition ☐ Motion for Post-Judgment Relief (specify): [__]
☐ Other (describe): [_________]
3. Nature of Suit / Primary Case Category
(Check the single category that most accurately describes the principal cause of action. Use sub-category codes only when they apply. If multiple causes exist, select the category governing the predominant claim.)
A. Tort
☐ Motor Vehicle Negligence
☐ Premises Liability
☐ Professional Negligence (Medical/Legal/Other)
☐ Products Liability
☐ Wrongful Death
☐ Other Personal Injury
B. Contract / Commercial
☐ Breach of Contract (Goods/Services)
☐ Collections / Accounts
☐ Commercial Lease
☐ Employment (Non-Wage)
☐ Insurance Coverage / Declaratory Judgment
☐ UCC / Secured Transactions
☐ Other Contract
C. Real Property
☐ Foreclosure (☐ Non-Judicial ☐ Judicial)
☐ Quiet Title / Ejectment
☐ Construction / Lien Enforcement
☐ Partition
☐ Other Real Estate
D. Administrative / Other Civil
☐ Administrative Appeal (Agency: [__])
☐ Constitutional / Civil Rights (State or Federal)
☐ Declaratory or Injunctive Relief
☐ Name Change
☐ Special Proceeding (specify): [____]
☐ Other (describe): [______]
[// GUIDANCE: The AOC master list contains more granular codes (e.g., “AUT” for Auto Negligence). Practitioners may insert the AOC code in parentheses after the box for faster clerk processing.]
4. Monetary Relief Sought
- Amount in Controversy (exclusive of interest and costs):
☐ $ 0–$ 25,000 ☐ $ 25,001–$ 75,000 ☐ Over $ 75,000 - Non-Monetary Relief Requested (brief description): [____]
5. Jury Demand
☐ Yes ☐ No
[// GUIDANCE: A jury demand may also be asserted in the pleading itself pursuant to N.C. R. Civ. P. 38(b).]
6. Arbitration Eligibility (District Court only)
☐ Action is subject to mandatory, non-binding court-ordered arbitration under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-37.1 (all claims ≤ $ 25,000).
☐ Action is exempt because (check one):
☐ Amount in controversy exceeds $ 25,000
☐ Equitable relief predominates
☐ Other statutory exemption (describe): [______]
7. Special Designations (If applicable, check and complete)
☐ Complex Business Case – Party gives notice of intent to designate pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-45.4 within 30 days.
☐ Exceptional Case – Estimated trial length exceeds five (5) days (Rule 2.1 assignment requested).
☐ Class Action – Complaint includes class allegations under Rule 23.
☐ Rule 40 Scheduling Request (expedited or specially set trial).
☐ Other Special Proceeding / Statutory Designation: [______]
8. Related Case Information
- Previously Filed Related Cases? ☐ Yes ☐ No
If “Yes,” list county, file number, and date: [______] - Pending Bankruptcy, Receivership, or Federal Case? ☐ Yes ☐ No
If “Yes,” identify jurisdiction and case no.: [______]
9. Party & Counsel Information
A. Plaintiff(s)
Name(s): [________]
E-Mail: [____] Phone: [_]
Address: [_______]
☐ Self-Represented (Pro Se)
B. Defendant(s) (known)
Name(s): [________]
To be served by:
☐ Sheriff ☐ Certified Mail ☐ Process Server ☐ Publication
Address(es) for Service: [_________]
C. Attorney(s) of Record
Lead Counsel for Plaintiff ☐ Lead Counsel for Defendant ☐
Name: [______] N.C. Bar No.: [_]
Firm: [______]
E-Mail: [___] Phone: [___]
Address: [__________]
[// GUIDANCE: Duplicate subsections for multiple parties/counsel as needed. Rule 5 requires counsel to provide e-mail addresses for electronic notice.]
10. Filing Fee Information
Base Filing Fee (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-305): $ [_]
Service/Additional Fees: $ [_]
☐ Fee Paid ☐ IFP Petition Pending ☐ Fee Previously Paid (explain): [_____]
11. Certification & Signature
I certify that the information contained herein is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge, that this form is filed contemporaneously with the first pleading as required by Rule 5 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts of North Carolina, and that a copy of this Cover Sheet will be served on all other parties along with the originating pleading.
Date: [__/_/_____]
Signature: ______
Name (print): [__________]
Capacity: ☐ Attorney for [Plaintiff/Defendant] ☐ Self-Represented Party
12. Clerk’s Office Use Only (Do Not Write Below)
- Docket Code Entered: [_] Verified By: [_]
- Fee Received: $ [_] Receipt No.: [______]
- Assigned Judge / Courtroom: [______]
- Arbitration Track: [Yes/No] Business Court: [Yes/No]
[// GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS
1. Electronic Filing: When filing via eCourts, upload this document as the first page of the PDF bundle.
2. Proposed Business Court Designation: A notice of designation must be filed separately within 30 days of the complaint.
3. Confidential Information: Do NOT include SSNs, financial account numbers, or juvenile names—use the Safe-Identifier process under Rule 5(g).
4. Updating Case Category: If amended pleadings materially change the nature of suit, file an Amended Cover Sheet.
5. Service: The Cover Sheet itself need not be served if it accompanies the pleading served; otherwise serve under Rule 5.
6. Record Retention: Maintain a conformed copy for your file; the clerk may scan and discard the paper original in eCourts counties.]
© [Year] [Law-Office/Author]. All rights reserved. This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.