Archive

• Emergencies in Western North Carolina, Including Chief Justice’s Emergency Order

  This entry was contributed by Sara DePasquale on September 30, 2024 at 10:44 am and is filed under Civil Law, Uncategorized.

  UPDATE: On October 11, 2024, the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court issued an additional emergency directive order under G.S. 7A-39(b)(1) extending relief for certain weather-affected counties in Western North Carolina (the “Extension Order”).  The Extension Order extends the order issued September 29, 2024 (as amended September 30, 2024) for the following 13 counties: Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, and Yancey. The emergency directives contained in the Extension Order become effective October 15, 2024, and expire on October 28, 2024.

  There is no way to avoid hearing and seeing the devastating news about Western North Carolina. People have died; lost their loved ones; lost their homes; and have no power, water, cell phone or internet service. Towns are destroyed. Roads and bridges are gone. Although the news has focused on the larger western counties, cities and towns in smaller counties are also severely impacted. In these smaller communities, the full extent of the devastation is unknown because of the inability to access them. Some counties and towns are completely cut off, having to rely on helicopter drops for supplies. Trying to connect with family and loved ones there is almost impossible. Words simply cannot convey the devastation and loss. If you want to try to help, Blue Ridge Public Radio posted a list of organizations and needs: https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-09-28/list-ways-to-donate-and-help-flood-victims-in-western-north-carolina-after-hurricane-helene

  Although Helene has stopped what is considered normal everyday life for almost a third of our counties, business in the state – including court business –has not stopped its daily routine. Yesterday, Chief Justice Newby issued an Order, effective September 30^th, and amended September 30th, attempting to relieve some of that pressure in effected areas and address the catastrophic conditions in our western North Carolina counties. The Order extends “the time and periods of limitation for filing and of acts due to be done in the following counties:” Continue Reading

• With Enactment of SB 255, COVID-19 Emergency Directives Come to an End

  This entry was contributed by Shea Denning on June 22, 2021 at 8:25 am and is filed under Judicial Authority.

  Earlier today, Chief Justice Paul Newby rescinded the two remaining COVID-19 Emergency Directives. The Chief Justice determined that the enactment of S.L. 2021-47 (Senate Bill 255) on Friday rendered unnecessary Emergency Directive 3, which authorized judicial officials to conduct proceedings that include remote audio and video transmissions and Emergency Directive 5, which permitted verification of pleadings and other documents by affirmation of the subscriber.

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• Emergency Directives Again Renewed; Legislation to Permanently Authorize Remote Hearings Passes Senate

  This entry was contributed by Shea Denning on April 12, 2021 at 12:41 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.

  Chief Justice Paul Newby issued an order on Friday, effective today, extending emergency directives currently in place for an additional thirty days to in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

  The preamble. Chief Justice Newby restated that his ongoing evaluation of the pandemic might result in the expiration or modification of emergency directives, the issuance of new directives, or both. His current plan is to extend the emergency directives that are currently in place until the public health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. The Chief Justice again reiterated his commitment to the state constitutional requirement that ­­courts be open and that justice be administered without favor, denial, or delay.

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• Emergency Directives Renewed and Legislation Proposed to Permanently Authorize Remote Proceedings

  This entry was contributed by Shea Denning on March 15, 2021 at 1:53 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.

  Chief Justice Paul Newby issued an order on Friday, effective today, extending emergency directives currently in place for an additional thirty days to in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Tomorrow marks a full year of altered court operations, as the first set of COVID-19 emergency directives became effective Monday, March 16, 2020.

  The preamble. Chief Justice Newby stated that his ongoing evaluation of the pandemic might result in the expiration or modification of emergency directives, the issuance of new directives, or both. His current plan is to extend the emergency directives that are currently in place until the public health threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. The Chief Justice reiterated his commitment to the state constitutional requirement that ­­courts be open and that justice be administered without favor, denial, or delay.

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