General Civil Case Cover Sheet

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.: [___]

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): [___]

4. Monetary Relief Sought

1. Amount in Controversy (exclusive of interest and costs):
    ☐ $ 0–$ 25,000  ☐ $ 25,001–$ 75,000  ☐ Over $ 75,000

2. Non-Monetary Relief Requested (brief description): [___]

5. Jury Demand

☐ Yes  ☐ No

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

1. Previously Filed Related Cases? ☐ Yes  ☐ No
    If “Yes,” list county, file number, and date: [___]

2. 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: [___]

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)

1. Docket Code Entered: [___] Verified By: [___]
2. Fee Received: $ ☐ Receipt No.: [___]
3. Assigned Judge / Courtroom: [___]
4. 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.